K.C. is an absolutely gorgeous and very loving dog who can't wait for the right family and forever home!  He's full of life and rarin' to go.  He's a big lovebug who quietly and undemandingly comes over and waits patiently for affection. 

K.C. is in a wonderful foster home with one other large dog (male) and no children.  And he's doing fabulously.  His foster parents report he's incredibly loving and a ton of fun!  He adores his play times, adores his walks and activities, and in general is loving life.  Some days he loves to run flat out, and other days he likes to just chill and lay around playing mouth-games with his foster brother.  He carries around a green Kong-like disk in his mouth and seems comforted by it somehow.

His foster parents report he's great in the house, doesn't chew or take things he shouldn't, is mild-mannered, house trained and knows to sit for treats.  He's also kennel trained and in fact  loves spending time in his kennel.  He's not pushy or hyperactive, but instead is a lovely, mellow, occasionally goofy dog who can crack you up (check out the picture of him hamming it up on his back for the camera!), play with you (he adores playing fetch!), and generally make you fall madly in love with him (Iook at that face, hubba hubba!).

K.C.'s foster parents sum it up this way:  "It seems like all he wants is love and to be safe inside.  He's here now with the door to the backyard open and he's content to lay down inside."   He has a great energy level:  high enough to play vigorously, but not obnoxious or hyper!  He's perfectly able to mellow out and sit quietly with you.  He loves, loves, loves to play ball and will do it endlessly, but he also loves to sit with you and just enjoy your company.

K.C. also lives with a foster brother, a large shepherd mix boy, and after proper introductions the two boys love, love, LOVE to play together!  They romp, wrestle and enjoy the heck out of each other.  It's amazing and funny to watch these two big guys just having a blast!

All of which is slightly amazing.  K.C. is a classic story of a large, energetic German Shepherd who fell into the wrong hands.  He was bought and raised by an elderly woman, who thought she was doing a good thing.  But she was unable to exercise him adequately or even walk him (she lived in an apartment with no yard -- and he's a very strong 85 lb dog).  She lived a quiet life and did not socialize him with other animals or people.  He was cared for, treated kindly, and fed, but over half of his needs were not met.  Sadly, she passed on and wasn't found for several days.  When officials broke into the apartment, poor K.C. was frantic with grief!  He ran back and forth between his dead owner and the Animal Control Officer, who reported that he would frantically run up to her and cry, cry, cry, then run back to his owner's body, then run back to her and cry, cry, cry.  He did this over and over over.  The ACO has witnessed many heartwrenching scenes, but commented "I'll never forget K.C.  I've never seen a dog so sad." 
.
Sadly, the woman's family didn't want K.C. and refused to take him in.  And tragically, his owner had made no provision for him in the event of her death.  So poor K.C. was dumped in the shelter and left to his fate.   Imagine going from a life of quiet isolation to the total chaos, noise and smell of a shelter ....  K.C. was scared and TOTALLY confused. 

Yet even then he was well-behaved, and was allowed to go to adoption events at the local pet store with shelter volunteers.  One volunteer nearly cried when she walked him around the store and, as they passed the dog beds, K.C. climbed up onto the shelf and snuggled into one of the beds with a sigh. SEE THE PICTURE BELOW!  The volunteer was so heartbroken that she bought the bed on the spot and sent it back to the shelter for him. 

Unfortunately, the shelter then adopted him out to the wrong environment - a family with several children, including a rambunctious 4 yr old whose dog manners were very rough. He couldn't leave the dog alone, continually got in K.C.'s face, and was constantly touching or pulling on him. Poor K.C. had led a life of total isolation and quiet, and suddenly found himself in a chaotic whirlwind!  The new owners had no German Shepherd experience and hadn't done any research, but did know they were in over their heads.  After a trainer told them there was nothing that could be done, they called us.  We went out to meet K.C. and the family, and spent several hours working with them and giving them training guidance.  Within a few weeks they reported things were much better and were excited that they could keep him.

Unfortunately, they didn't follow one of the most basic rules we taught them:  NEVER leave a small child unattended with a dog, especially a large powerful dog and especially one you've only known a short time! K.C. and the smallest child were left unattended and - predictably - trouble hit.  K.C. was sleeping soundly when the 4 year old approached him from behind and pulled out a hunk of K.C.'s fur.  Although K.C. loved the child dearly and constantly played with the child, he had a "startle response" - abruptly awakened by pain, he snapped his head around to the area the pain was coming from and caught the child's head with his teeth.  There were no bites or punctures, but numerous scratches and bruises on the child's face and head.  The family, naturally distressed, paniced and called us.  They wanted to dump him in a shelter, but it was late in the evening and shelters were closed.  After learning all the circumstances of the incident, we immediately agreed to take K.C. into our program.  They drove K.C. to our boarding facility early the next morning and never looked back.  Sadly, they never even inquired about him.

So poor K.C. has been a victim of poor human judgement all his life.  First bought and raised by an owner who was unable to exercise or socialize him, though she fed him and loved him as best she could.  Then adopted to the wrong environment, the exact opposite of everything he knew and was used to - going from almost total isolation and quiet to almost total uproar/commotion/noise. 

So we're grateful to have this magnificent, regal guy safe and sound in a wonderful foster home.  He's having the puppyhood he apparently pretty much missed - playing endlessly with his new doggie brother, chilling out with his foster parents, playing fetch, going on walks, and learning how much life has to offer.  He's a true sweetheart who is simply a big, powerful German Shepherd - and needs the leadership and firm, loving guidance any true German Shepherd needs.

Overall, K.C. is a wonderful, loving dog who has been put in badly mismatched homes to date.  The two owners meant well but didn't have the ability or desire to understand what he needed or to provide it.  SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR K.C.'s IDEAL "MATCH HOME"!  A home where he's finally matched with a family who can and will provide the exercise, stimulation, training, guidance, structure, and leadership he needs.  An active home with strong canine leaders who will give him daily exercise (he's got energy), daily mental stimulation (he's one smart cookie), AND structure and leadership. 

When he has this, he's one of the best and more regal dogs around!!

He currently has a 4 ft chain link fence and makes no effort to get out of it.  K.C., it seems, is a bit of homebody who is enjoying the heck out of having a real home, a comfy bed, and a loving family.  He's crate trained, house trained, and smart as whip!  One of the Animal Control Officers who knew him during his time in the shelter said he quickly learned basic commands such as sit and down.  He loves all people and is great with kids, but we require older children only in the household (12 yrs and up).  All our big gorgeous boy needs is a good leader who will love him enough to finish up his training!  We also require a fenced yard, preferably with a 6 ft privacy fence.

Just one very fortunate family will take this incredible handsome hunk of a boy into their family and make him theirs forever!  Are YOU that family?  Are YOU the ones to show him he'll be loved and cared for for the rest of his life?  That he'll get to play and romp and walk and exercise and play ball and enjoy life?  In return you'll get an energetic-yet-mellow, loving, affectionate, well-mannered, loyal and fun fellow as a lifetime companion!


DOGS:                    YES ON MOST DOGS.  WOULD LOVE A DOGGIE BUDDY TO PLAY WITH!  In foster care with another very large male mix breed.  Small dogs:  has been nose-to-nose with a dachshund and did fine, would need to test with your small dog.   Note:  seems to do well with non-dominant dogs. Does not like dominant dogs, particularly dominant males.

CATS:                    POSSIBLY.  Has been up close with cats at the boarding kennel and did well, but is extremely interested in the feral cats living near his foster home.  We're not sure whether he would chase to play or chase to kill

KIDS:                    Older children only (12 yrs and up).  No small children

IDEAL FAMILY:      A moderately active family with older children who understand how to train, lead and guide a large, powerful, active German Shepherd.  Fenced yard required, 6 ft privacy fence preferred.

If you're looking for a gorgeous hunk of mature dog who's a true German Shepherd
and will love you forever,
and if you're experienced in canine leadership,
K.C. may be your ideal family member!

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