TEDDY BEAR is exactly what he sounds like:  a big, goofy, fluffyball.   Teddy only wants one thing:  TO LOVE AND BE LOVED!  He's a stunning sable German Shepherd who will be an extra large boy - at 7 months old he already weighs almost 55 lbs! 

Teddy story will make you weep.  He was born to a breeder who kept him in filth from the start.  At just 10 weeks old, he was malnourished and had pink spots on skin where fur was missing.  This tiny puppy was already seriously neglected.  He was then "saved" by a family who threw him outdoors 24/7, and left him there even during huge snowstorms and zero degree weather.  The father didn't believe in having dogs in the house, so poor Teddy was sentenced to day after day of isolation, loneliness, boredom, and bad weather.   He had no playmates.  He got no training.  He had a few toys but no one to play them with.  He was taught nothing.  It's heartbreaking to think of this puppy --  who should be snuggling with his family in front of the TV -- sitting alone, sad, cold -- staring in the window at his warm, cuddly family .  Dogs are social animals - pack animals - and when isolated from the pack they have the same reaction humans do.  They get frustrated, lonely, depressed, bored.  It’s one of the best ways to turn a dog mean, or make him crazy.  It’s the same exact principle used to punish inmates:  isolation that breaks the spirit.

The good news is that Teddy’s spirit will pop back quickly – he’s young and resilient.  He wants nothing more than to love and be loved. HE JUST WANTS TO BE PART OF THE FAMILY! 

Teddy’s new family must take the time and effort to train him thoroughly.  Because of his background, he’s totally untrained.  He's like an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy -- rambunctious, unmannered, and doesn't know his own strength.  Teddy is inappropriate at first with other dogs – he plays rough, jumps right on them and gets in their faces.  It’s all his attempt to play, but because he never learned any boundaries or what was good/appropriate play, he simply doesn’t know.  This type of inappropriate behavior can cause fights when unsupervised and uncorrected.  Teddy’s interaction with other dogs MUST be supervised 100% while he learns appropriate play. 

The good news is: Teddy is eager to please and will be pretty easy to train.

But training is an absolute MUST for this big sweetheart from the first second he walks in your house!!!   He’s never lived in a home in all his short life.  He’s never had the luxury of curling up beside his family and drifting off to sleep.  He’s never been housetrained or taught basic manners.  So like any untaught child, he’s doing the best he can. 

Teddy clearly just wants to love, be loved, and have a real family.  He’s slowly going crazy being a neglected lawn ornament.  Every time the door opened at his old home, it was heartbreaking to watch the naked need in his face as he raced to the door only to have it shut in his face.   Yet he never gave up … hoping each time, hoping this was the time he’d be allowed to be part of the family …

Teddy appears to be healthy but he does have ongoing skin issues.  Notice in the pictures that he has a shaved patch on his rear end, where there was a hot spot that’s now healing nicely.  Also notice the close up of the top of his head – the red patches, the thin fur.  He has these patches under his neck, on his head, around his ears, and on his legs.  A vet has diagnosed them as allergies, but we’re in the process of trying to find out more.  We believe they’re caused by multiple factors:  extreme stress and boredom, a low-quality food, and possible allergies.   He’s now being switched to a high quality diet rich in the nutrients a growing puppy needs.

Teddy is going to make one very, very luck family a truly awe-some dog!!  But his new family will have to "raise" him as if he were just 8 weeks old and start from scratch - so he needs a family who will take the time, has the patience, and loves him enough to provide the puppyhood, the training and the leadership he's never had. 

 BUT BOY IS HE WORTH IT! 

You’ll be rewarded with a lovebug and a cuddler.

Talk about a big old teddy bear who just grabs your heart and won’t let go …. !!!!
. 
 
DOGS:                  Yes.  Would love a buddy to play with, but he currently has no manners and MUST be trained in appropriate play!  He gets waaaaay too rambunctious, too fast.  He was consistently around a small dog who frequently visited, and just wanted to play.
CATS:                   Unknown.  Would hve to be tested.
KIDS:                    Yes.  Lived with 5 kids and although an outside dog was around them whenever they were outdoors.  The only issue is he that, like any large and rambunctious dog he can and WILL knock over smaller children accidentally during play if he’s not supervised and trained properly.
IDEAL FAMILY:      A very active family!  One that's willing to train this big sweet teddy bear and give him all the teaching and guidance he's never had.  Good canine leaders!


 

TEDDY's ADOPTION FEE:   $350
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 TEDDY?
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

Thank you for considering a homeless dog or cat.