TOBY's story is much like Suzy's.  At just 1-2 years old, he has survived complete neglect, near total starvation, abandonment, and weeks alone on the mean streets.   Yet he's full of life, love, and youngster energy - and he's very grateful to have a full tummy and be safe!  

Toby was picked up stray by Animal Control in the inner city -- starved literally to the bone, his coat an ungodly mess.  He was barely recognizable as a German Shepherd.  He was so gaunt and emaciated when he was brought in that staff were concerned he would be unable to walk.  He was close to total collapse.  

We met Toby the same day we met Suzy, and our hearts stopped.  We ached for what Toby had clearly endured.  Like Suzy, he was a terrible starvation case.   He hadn't known much human kindness - when you approached his kennel, he either retreated to the other end and starved vacantly at you, or simply stood with his head hung down.  He looked as if he expected to be killed any moment.   He didn't shake like Suzy, but instead looked at you with a gut-wrenching depression.  He had all but given up.

Toby's coat was an exact duplicate of Suzy's:  unbelievable, a complete and total mess, the two dogs so much alike that we thought at first they had lived together and suffered together (not so).  His fur was missing in many spots, his entire body filled with filth embedded down into the skin.  In other parts his fur was spotty, had dried blood, and all different lengths.  Just touching him gave you the creeps.

When we said of course we'd take him in, the shelter staff put him in the bathtub.  They had him there for an hour and a half, bathing and rebathing.  Poor Toby stood quietly through all of it - we can only imagine it must have felt good to get at least some of the horrible filth, stench and crustiness off his coat and skin.   Our big boy, like little Suzy, had been living in hell.

NOTE:  SEE VIDEO OF HER AFTER 2 WEEKS IN BOARDING. 
The other dog is Suzy, also a MOGS dog.  Suzy and Toby were both brought into the shelter as strays around the same time, but from very different locations.  Ironically, they look like brother and sister - both were starved almost to death and had exactly the same horrible, unrecognizable coats.

  
BUT TOBY IS DONE WITH THAT CHAPTER OF HIS LIFE!  No more starvation.  No more neglect.  No more cruelty.  He's now safe and sound, and gaining weight well.  His coat has been shaved to even out the different lengths, and he's been groomed, bathed and brushed multiple times.  The embedded filth is gone now, after a month of TLC.   His fur is still short and looks spotty (see the pictures) but is now an even length and will grown back in quickly.  You can now see the stunning German Shepherd in him, and as soon as his coat grows fully out he'll be one hunk of gorgeous guy!  He's tall, beautifully proportioned, and will be a head-turner as you walk down the street.

Unfortunately. due to a lack of people willing to foster, Toby is in a boarding kennel.  He's doing fairly well there, but he desperately needs to get into a foster or adoptive home where he can get the exercise he needs, and start his training.  He's an energetic young guy who needs to catch up on his training and get going on the rest of his life! 

Toby seems to be a typical exuberant young German Shepherd who's had minimal training:  he jumps up, mouths sometimes, and above all wants badly to play with the other dogs.  But like any untrained dog, he's too rough and needs to learn what appropriate play is.  With guidance and loving, firm leadership, he'll do well.    He would adore having a doggie buddy to play with!  We haven't yet tested him around small dogs or cats, so that will have to be tested.

Toby will make an excellent family pet for a loving family who's willing to guide and train him as he emerges from "lunkheaded adolescent" into maturity.   He needs help and guidance on his journey back to love and a normal family life.    He needs potty training, leash training, and basic general house manners (such as no jumping, no counter surfing, etc).   But he's a smart boy and is eager to please, so we believe he'll be easily trained as long as you give him consistent, loving leadership.

The only behavior Toby's new family needs to be aware of on the negative side is that he does still display some food aggression with other animals (not humans).  This is a normal reaction seen in many severely starved animals, and with consistent calm, wise training generally disappears.  We will happily work with his new family on methods for resolving this all together.

DOGS:         Yes, he'd love a play buddy
CATS:          Unknown, would have to be tested
KIDS:           Unknown, would have to be tested.  We believe she will do well
IDEAL FAMILY:   An active, loving family with another dog and the patience to help Toby with final stage of his recovery from his near death on the streets.  A family with the ability and patience to train his young "lunkheaded" ways and to deal with the remains of food aggression (toward animals, not humans).

If you're looking for a tall, dark, handsome boy to share your heart and home,
and keep you active,
TOBY may be your canine soulmate!

TOBY'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 TOBY?
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