SHADOW is an absolutely ADORABLE sweetheart of a guy!  At only 1 year old, he's been through more than any puppy should!

Owned by a soldier who believed "discipline"  meant "hit" the dog, Shadow was scared and cowering when first rescued.  Fortunately after a few days in his loving foster home, free from fear of being hit, he almost became a new dog.  He came out of his shell and is a loving, energetic, adorable puppy.

Shadow LOVES attention and affection.  After a life of being hit, he reveled in and responded beautifully to the kindness of his foster home.  If strangers come in, he'll tend to jump and get excited, then attach himself to the one who gives him the most attention. He loves to cuddle on the couch with you, but will obediently get down if you direct him to.  He's VERY trainable.

Shadow is great with kids - gentle, playful, affectionate.  He gives kisses, loves chasing them and is patient with those kiddo-hugs around the neck.  Ironically, he was uncomfortabl when they chased him and went to his mom for 'protection' - typical of a dog who's been hit and is afraid even small humans are after him to hit him.  But Shadow showed absolutely no signs of aggression of any sort.  He deals well with the loud noises and general chaos of kids.

He also loves car rides and walks!  He clearly had no leash training in the abusive home and needs work on his leash manners (pulls). He also focuses on the trash can and tries to pull it over, but a round trash can stumps him and he can't master it.  He tends to jump on people when excited, but does respond to a firm "no."   As seen in the picture, he easily shares with other dogs and has shown no food or toy aggression. 

Shadow is great with other dogs and MUST GO TO A FAMILY WITH AT LEAST ONE OTHER DOG!  He loves to play, but mostly this is because he NEEDS the security and reassurance of a doggie buddy so he never feels alone.  We've seen him around dogs 40 lbs and over, small dogs would have to be tested but we believe he will do well with all dogs.  We haven't seen  him around cats, and that would have to be tested.

Shadow has just one issue:  he gets anxious when left alone.  For a short time, he lived with a wonderful family with small children but no other pets.  Although he was never left alone for more than 4 hours, he escaped every crate they put him in - and would potty in the house.  He didn't do any this in his foster home, and it appears the reason is that he had a doggie buddy in the foster home - so was never really alone even when his humans were gone.  He was left loose in the foster home with the other dog and was fine - no pottying, no tearing at doors to get out.  His foster mom simply closed a few doors to bedrooms, etc, so the dogs wouldn't get on the beds or into trash cans. 

SHADOW IS EASILY INFLUENCED BY THE OTHER DOG AND HIS/HER BEHAVIOR, so he  needs a doggie brother/sister who's already well-behaved!  For instance, Shadow briefly lived with an ill-mannered hound in his original home and mimiced all those bad behaviors.  But in his foster home he lived with a well behaved GSD and mimiced those good behaviors.  It's important for Shadow to have a good doggie role model with good behaviors, a doggie sibling who will teach him the right stuff.

Overall, Shadow is a super loving, sweet boy who gets along with everyone and is very trainable.  He really wants to please his people!  His still shows some of the behaviors common to dogs who have been hit - he may shy away from loud noises, loud angry voices and raised hands.  If touched while eating, he may jump or be nervous but shows no aggression.  If you try to make him sit for his food, he gets nervous and won't come to the bowl until you walk away.   We've seen this behavior many times before in dogs who have been hit and are afraid of being hit again.  Shadow's new family needs to have the patience to earn his trust that he will never be hit again - that he will never again be abused, and is loved and safe forever. 

KIDS:       Yes - respectful kids who know how to treat a dog
DOGS:     YES!  MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE OTHER WELL-BEHAVED DOG.  He mimics the other dog(s) and will do what they do, so needs a doggie brother or sister who's well behaved and he can follow/mimic.
CATS:       unknown, would have to test, but believe he'll do well
IDEAL HOME:   an active family with at least one other dog and a fenced yard.  A family who will treat him with love, kindness and gentleness - and understand that he was hit and needs extra love.  He would be in hog heaven if you work from home or are retired.

SHADOW’s ADOPTION FEE:  $250
This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save.  On average we spend over $450 on each dog.  We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have almost tripled since then.  We’re constantly fund-raising to cover our costs.  At minimum, your adoption fee includes the dog’s spay/neuter, heartworm test, heartworm treatment if needed, rabies shot, distemper/parvo shot, bordatella shot, deworming, monthly heartworm and flea preventives, and microchip.  In many cases, it also includes surgery and various types of vet treatment for standard issues such as hot spots, ear infections and so on.

INTERESTED IN ADOPTING SHADOW?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

STOP!! READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER!

1. We're picky about our adopters. 
2. Are you sure you're up to having a GSD?  They're not for everyone.  They take a lot of time, effort, training.  They shed year round.  They're big.  They scare lots of people.  They "mouth" and herd.  They're usually strong-willed and stubborn.  You have to have references and a home visit.  If you're not willing or able to deal with any of this, please don't waste your time or ours applying.  
   
3. Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
4. Do you leave your dog outdoors when you're not home?   We do not adopt to homes that leave their animals outside when they're gone.  You must put your dogs indoors when you're gone.  A 3 yr old adopted MOGS dog died when the owners went to run errands, left her outdoors, the gate was somehow opened, and she was hit by a car.  Tragic and 100% preventable. Even privacy fences get broken into.  Gates are opened.  Thieves steal dogs. Never leave your dog outdoors when you're not home!!
   
5. What's your plan for unexpected events and major changes?  New baby? Divorce?  Moving?   How you will provide for your dog if your family breaks up? 
   
6. Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
7.  Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what.
8. Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.

Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com