EMMIE is a beautiful, medium-sized youngster who is part German Shepherd and part Blue Heeler.  We were told those were her parents, and we see both breeds in her.  She looks like a compact German Shepherd but is also lithe and limber like a Heeler.  She runs like the wind and jumps amazingly high, like a jack-in-the-box.  She LOVES chasing a ball and would make a great frisbee dog, flyball dog, jogging pal, agility dog or even SAR (Search & Rescue) dog.  She also loves, loves, loves the water - and she'll dive right in especially if you throw a ball in for her.  She's got LOTS of energy and needs an active home who will give her at least 1-2 hours of real exercise every day.  See the series of pictures of her chasing a ball into the water, and the several of her starting an agility course.

Emmie was a victim of a classic overpopulation problem:  irresponsible people let their dogs breed, then begged their friends to take a puppy. “ Puppies are SO cute and fun!”  Seduced by the puppy and the pitch, an irresponsible young man took one home and the breeders were glad to see it gone. 

Six months later, Emmie was on death row. 

She had the nerve to grow up, get big and be full of energy. The young man couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and dumped Emmie with his mother.  His mother couldn’t handle Emmie’s energy, had 4 dogs of her own, and promptly dumped Emmie in a kill pound to die. 

And that's how, at just 9 months old, this wonderful, energetic, outgoing, sweet girl nearly died. 

Sadly, the average "stay" of a dog in an American home is a pitiful 3 years - and Emmie didn't even get that.  She had 3 homes in just 9 months of life.  It's heartbreaking.

So we gladly took Emmie to save her life.  When we got her from the pound, she was confused and cowered in the back of her kennel.  You could see it in her eyes, that awful question of the innocent throw-away pet:  "What did I do wrong?  Why don't you love me anymore?  I'm sorry!  I thought I was being a good dog!  Please love me. I'll do whatever you want, I promise. Just teach me!” 

Fortunately Emmie is resilient and came out of that as she began to understand she was safe and loved.   She did great in her foster home, but it was also clear she had a lot to learn.  She hadn’t gotten any training in her first 2 homes, hadn’t been exercised, and was never taught how to “play nice” with other dogs.  She was left to her own devices to figure things out. 

And overall she did pretty well, but she didn’t know how to tone down her naturally rambunctious nature.  She would jump straight at another dog the minute they met, just wanting to play (never well received and an easy way to start a fight).  In general Emmie is a bit like a whirlwind – full of energy, jumps like she has springs on her legs, and just keeps on ticking. The foster home began agility work with her and she was amazing at it. 

Emmie is a HIGH ENERGY dog who requires, at absolute minimum, 1-2 hours of DAILY exercise come rain or shine.  And that means real exercise, not just walks.  It means throwing and chasing a ball for 1-2 hours.  Emmie would thrive if you work her in some structured activity such as agility, dock diving, Frisbee, or even Search and Rescue work.   She has been evaluated as a potential SAR dog and has been deemed an excellent candidate for it (has both ball drive and hunt drive, is easy to handle, is a medium size, is extremely smart and trainable, gets along with other animals, wants to please). 

So Emmie is gorgeous, sweet, and very loving – and has LOTS of energy!  She’s not one of those dogs who will just curl up in your lap first thing -- the first thing she wants to do is run, play, chase a ball – but she will definitely curl up with you and settle nicely after she gets her energy “blown”.  She’s both house-trained and crate-trained (settles nicely, but will come busting out like a whirlwind if allowed).

At just over 1 yr old and naturally high energy, Emmie is still very much a puppy and still has a lot to learn in general.   But she already knows a number of her basic commands, such as sit and even wait.  It’s hard for her to wait, as she wants to go-go-go, but she’s doing it!  She’s scary smart and learns quickly, especially if she has a ball as a reward. She wants to please, and will be easily trained with consistency and leadership.

Emmie gets along well with other dogs and loves playing with them.  She would love to have a play buddy (it would also help blow her energy)!!   She can be a little pushy sometimes, in large part because of her high energy and not yet understanding how to “play nice”,so she needs you to continue teaching her about that. We're told she previously lived with cats and suspect she would do well as long as she has good leadership. 

Emmie seems to be fine with kids, but we do not recommend very small children at this time just due to her overall energy and rambunctiousness.    

In short, Emmie is a SWEETHEART – a bundle-of-energy sweetie!  She's got a charming personality, wonderful enthusiasm, is smart as a whip, and is easily trained.  She loves life and loves everyone.  She simply needs a family with the time and commitment to strong daily exercise, and/or a job of some sort (agility, Frisbee, dock diving, SAR, etc).

Emmie was adopted for a short time to a loving family, but was simply too energetic and required more time than the family had available .

Are YOU the lucky family who will get to share life with this sweet, charming, beautiful, energetic and loving girl?  She'll give you her undying love and loyalty, and all she asks in return is that you give her the chance to blow her energy, love her forever and commit to her for a lifetime.   


         NOTE:  Please think often of the millions of other dogs and cats
                   in the same situation Emmie was in - unwanted, used,
                              thrown out like an old sweater, and
                              dumped to die in the blink of an eye. 
                          Most of them aren't as fortunate as Emmie.
                             Most die in pounds alone and unwanted.
                                   PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! 
                                 SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS.
                                COMMIT TO YOUR PET FOR LIFE.
                                           BE RESPONSIBLE. 
                                      BE ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.


DOGS:                        yes.  Emmie would LOVE having a play buddy who shares some of her energy and desire to play
CATS:                         unknown, needs to be tested, we're told she lived with cats
KIDS:                         fine, very small kids not recommended due to her energy level and rambunctiousness
IDEAL FAMILY:           a very active family who can spend the time she needs for proper exercise, and/or a structured "job" such as agility, SAR, frisbee, dock diving or similar.  A family to exercise strong leadership and able to commit to training this young, lively girl.

If you're a high-energy family looking for a sweet, high-energy companion,
and are willing to train and exercise her appropriately,
EMMIE may be your ideal family member!

 

EMMIE'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 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 EMMIE?
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