SPARKY (what a name for a German Shepherd!) is a dog who will absolutley break your heart in two. 

We got a call from a small rural Missouri town, where a volunteer who saves many local dogs by getting them out of town and into rescue, was trying to save Sparky.  Sparky had been confiscated for unbelievable cruelty:  his owners refused to feed him or care for him in any way!  Imagine just refusing to feed your pet ... unthinkable.  Sparky was forced to wander all day and scrounge for any morsel of garbage or trash he could find.  He was totally emaciated - starved to the bone - but that wasn't even the worst of it.  His nails were so long they had grown straight out, going forward and then down into the ground ... forcing the front part of his paws up in the air and requiring him to walk on the back part of his paws only.  As a result, the front of each paw is splayed!  You can see from the pictures how long this horrendous condition must have gone on.  As one observer commented, they look like duck feet.  Until the shelter vet cut poor Sparky's nails and allowed him to walk on his full paw again, he was almost hobbled to the point where he couldn't walk! 

Fortunately local animal control officers finally found Sparky, confiscated him, refused to return him to the owners, and are building a cruelty case against them.  God bless them - and may these cruel people be held fully accountable for their barbaric cruelty.

In addition to everything else, Sparky's cruel owners taped his ears and did a terrible job.  They completely botched their homemade job and the result is that his ears stand so straight they frequently touch in the middle of his head - a condition normally found only in very young GSD puppies during the short period when their ears are just starting to stand up   His ears aren't painful, but Sparky has an interesting and unique German Shepherd look!  He's beyond adorable!  As you can see from the pictures, his ears do sometimes separate and stand normally.  We don't know if his ears will stop touching once he's in a good home with great nutrition and care, but it's a possibility.   Meantime we think it's adorable!  It's a badge of courage that tells the world, "I survived incredible human cruelty and still love people."

Sparky was dog tested around both small and large dogs, and seems to do better with large dogs than with small dogs.  He is NOT good with cats and WILL try to hunt and kill them (a legacy from his years of starvation and need to hunt for survival).  So no cats for young Sparky.

Sparky would probably do very well with kids, though we recommend older kids at this time while he's adusting to a new, gentler, kinder life.  He is a strong boy and needs someone who can physically handle him on a leash. The only "bad" traits his foster home has noted is that he can be toy and bone possessive with the other dogs, and occasionally will growl at the other dogs if they come near his food bowl (not treats, just his food bowl - a normal reaction for a severely starved dog).

Overall, Sparky is heartachingly wonderful.  Maybe because he has the deep soul of one who has survived the unthinkable.  Whatever the reason, there's something about him that grabs your attention the minute you meet him.  He touches your heart instantly.  He LOVES people and is humbly appreciative of even the smallest kind touch.  How he can love humans after all that was done to him is a source of endless amazement - and a lesson in love.  He just wants a family who will be kind to him, feed him, love him care for him forever.  In return he'll love and protect you forever, and be the best companion anyone ever had. Only one of you will get to take our very special Sparky boy into your home and hearts forever, and just one of uou will have the privilege of showing Sparky what real love is.  Is it YOU?

 

DOGS:                    Yes, seems to do well with both large and small dogs
CATS:                     No
KIDS:                     Yes, appears to do well with them
IDEAL FAMILY:       A loving, warm, loyal, kind family who will treat Sparky RIGHT - give him comfort and tons of love - and teach him that some humans are truly good and loving.  A family willing to help Sparky complete his journey from cruelty to a normal, loving family life.

 

SPARKY's ADOPTION FEE:   $300
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 doubled and tripled since then. We are constantly fundraising to cover the deficit. 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 SPARKY?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Not Good with Cats

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

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.