BENNY is adorable, cute, spunky, and on the small side at less than 50 lbs.  This little guy  just kind of makes you grin!  He's bouncy and full of vitality.  He has a constant mischieveous look on his face.  He's a lovebug who would climb in your lap if you let him.  All he wants is to love and be loved.  He sits up on his back legs, puts his front legs on your arm, and shamelessly begs for a belly rub or ear scratch.

Benny has a terrible and sad history: he was a chained dog all his life.  We got a call from a family with two dogs they couldn't keep due to a landlord problem.  We arrived to meet the dogs and found them chained on heavy, rusty chains at the back of the yard.  They promptly wanted to eat us.  They lunged, barked, growled, bared their teeth and strained at the end of their chains to get at us.  We slowly fed them several packages of hot dogs, then had the owners bring each dog into the house so we could observe the dogs' interactions with their owners from a non-threatening distance.  We saw what was behind all that neglect and frustration:  two loving dogs desperate for attention, two survivors who held on day after day in the hopes of finding love.  They were determined to make it.  But they suffered hugely. They had filthy decrepit dog houses. They had no water.  They had worn circles in the tiny spaces they "lived" in (we don't call that living).  When they did get food, it was poured into ancient rusty tin pans.  They lived in dust and mud 24/7.  They were full of fleas.  They had massive worm infestations.  Their ears were blood-encrusted from fly bites ("fly strike") and the tips of their ears have pieces missing.  They were thin to the point of starvation. And to top it all off, they were bored and frustated by the 24/7 inactivity, their whole world confined on a 5 ft chain.  Sadly, the family was proud to tell us how much they loved the dogs, and that "the kids walk them sometimes, around the block and sometimes even around two blocks."  That was the total exercise these young, active, lively dogs ever got.  So while the family watched their lovely 90" and 60" big screen TVs with expensive top-name sound systems, the dogs they claimed to love starved and suffered.

And that's how Benny's entire life was "lived" on a huge chain a tiny area, all alone, outdoors 24/7, in the elements in total boredom and frustration.  No play.  No exercise.  No companionship.  No love.  Only occasional food.

We had no room, but we knew the only other option for Benny and Sam was to go to the pound -- and we also knew they would immediately be killed as "unadoptable".  We've watched it happen time after time, in an overburdened shelter system that has no time to help anmals like Benny and Sam.  The gross injustice of it was overwhelming, so we took a deep breath, prayed we'd find a way to make it work, and made the commitment to help Benny and his father Sam. 

After much angst, they are now in our program, in loving foster homes, and learning what it's like to be part of a family.  What it's like to be loved and cared for and comfortable.  What it's like to be free of fleas, flies and filth.  They've been fully vetted, de-fleaed and de-wormed.  They're in the process of being house-trained and have adapted well to their crates and crate-training.

Benny is almost housetrained and only has an occasional accident.  His leash manners leave a lot to be desired but he'll learn quickly with consistent walking and training.  He gets along well with the other 3 German Shepherds in his foster home (male and female), and appears to really enjoy all dogs.  His ideal home will have a doggie play buddy who has the same kind of energy and love-to-play Benny has!  Benny does have a lot to learn in terms of appropriate doggie play - he's so eager and enthusiastic that he jumps right on other dogs, which can lead to a fight.  He's slowly learning not to do that, and his new family needs to continue this training and supervision as he meets new dogs.  Benny needs to learn NOT TO RUSH IT!  And his new family must help him understand that. 

Benny is typical of so many chained dogs: loving, desperate to be loved, and clueless about manners!  He was never taught anything and was never part of the family, so he's in learning mode now.  He's getting the hang of house manners and doing pretty well overall.  His biggest issue is that he's going through the puppyhood he never had.  He'll get all over the furniture if allowed, but is being taught in his foster home to stay off the furniture.  He loves to steal shoes and chew on them if you forget and leave them lying around.  But he happily turns his attention to a bone or other chew toy, quickly settles down and takes a nap when activity time is over, and in general is a joy to have around.  He's a bouncy, loving, energetic boy who's full of life -- he finally knows that life can be good and is clearly embracing it for all it's worth!

Oh, and he's learning to like car rides - he sits with his head and chest on the storage compartment between the front seats.  Then he puts his paws on your arm, letting you know he wants to be near, to touch you, to make sure you know how much he appreciates you.  He wants to be touching you.  Occasionally  he'll even stick his small nose just between your back and the seat - to let you know "I love you".


DOGS:                 Yes!  Benny would LOVE having an active, high energy playmate.  Needs to be a non-dominant dog.
CATS:                   Unknown, would have to be tested as we have not seen him around cats
KIDS:                   Yes!  Benny loves people of all ages. 
IDEAL FAMILY:     An active family who will always make an indoor dog, an integral part of their family, and a loved and cherished companion to share life with. 

If you're looking for a gorgeous, young, trainable buddy
who will love you forever,
BENNY may be your ideal family member!

BENNY'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 BENNY?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids

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.