DECEASED - age 12.5 yrs.  January 2021.  Tumor burst. 
Owner's last name is now "Lawrence".

TOMMY is a beautiful classic black-and-tan German Shepherd who loves people, adores attention, and is super affectionate!  He's going to be a wonderful family dog for one lucky family.

Although Tommy lived his whole life with his brother Jerry (possible littermate), he doesn't always like other dogs and seems to sometimes like to stir things up.  He can probably live with another submissive dog - possibly a female - or he would make an excellent only pet.

Tommy's story is a sad one.  He and his brother Jerry (possibly littermates?) were bought by a 13 year old boy in rural Nebraska.  The teenager and his family promptly threw both dogs outdoors, forcing them to "live" in a too-small makeshift pen all by themselves 24/7.  They put one dog house in the too-small pen.  While his brother Jerry often got out of the makeshift pen and was wandered the neighborhood looking for food and love, Tommy stoically sat in the small, makeshift pen watching and waiting for his freedom - watching and waiting for his luck to change.

Neighbors reported a history of neglect and cruelty, including frequent lack of food and clean water.  One winter was particularly harsh and during a bad snowstorm a neighbor couldn't stand it anymore.  They saw the boys huddled in the small pen, literally buried in a mountain of snow and almost unrecognizable as dogs.  They went over, snipped off the padlocks, and took the dogs into their garage.  For one night the boys were warm, comfortable, fed and cared for.  But it didn't last.  Unfortunately the neighbor had to return the boys since dogs are legally considered "property".  Neighbors did this half a dozen times over the years, feedingi the dogs and cutting the padlocks to take the boys in so they survived bad weather.  Neighbors called officials numerous times over the years to stop the cruelty, but officials did nothing.  They simply allowed the boys to continue suffering.

Then the teenage "owner" went off to college and his dad promptly took the dogs to a vet to be killed.  They family had no further use for them, their amusement value to the teenage son was over.  The dogs were now an inconvenience.  Fortunately, the compassionate vet recognized it's wrong to kill healthy, young-ish dogs, and asked if they could find the dogs an alternative.  The so-called owner couldn't be rid of the dogs fast enough. 

So these two boys -- who have suffered so tremendously at the hands of cold, callous, cruel people -- are now with MOGS in an incredible foster home where they're learning what it's like to be loved!!

And Tommy is going to be a great family member - loving, friendly, affection.  He's done with neglect, ready to put the cruelty and loneliness behind him, and is looking for that one very special family who will love and care for him FOREVER.

In return, he'll love you, protect you, and bring you joy and laughter!

Tommy is already house-trained and kennel-trained.  He's also well-behaved in the house.  He just wants to know you love him - and to love you in return.  He has shown a little bit of submissive peeing in the house, but this will likely disappear as he gains confidence and feels safe, loved and secure.

Tommy is very trainable and responds well to verbal corrections.  He MUST HAVE A STRONG CANINE LEADER to show him the ropes, teach him the rules, walk him, and play with him.  We strongly recommend crating him as he continues his learning - he is crate trained, is crated at his foster home when no one is home, and does very well.  He can be protective of his crate, and if a stranger approaches his crate he will bark and may lunge at the crate.  This is typical behavior for an untrained GSD and especially one who's been thrown outdoors, ignored, unloved, had nothing, was taught nothing.  But once out of the crate Tom shows no aggression at all.  

He loves walks and is a strong boy who definitely needs to learn leash manners!  As a penned dog his whole life, leashes are new to him.

Tommy currently lives with cats in his foster home and does well under close supervision.  He is very curious about the cats and is never left alone with them.   He could probably live with cats as long as his family are strong leaders and know how to acclimate and accustom him to the rules of living with cats.  He currently lives with other large dogs in his foster home and has not yet been tested with small dogs.

Tommy is a fairly "dominant" dog who likes to stir things up a bit with other dogs sometimes.  He's fine for the first half hour or so, then as he grows more comfortable he may get pushy - not always appreciated by other dogs! He may be able to live with another dog who's submissive, and possibly best with a submissive female.  He would LOVE being an only dog who gets your full attention, too!! 
 


DOGS:                     Possibly - needs to be a submissive dog, possibly best to be a female
CATS:                     Possibly - under close supervision and with STRONG leadership
KIDS:                     Yes.
IDEAL FAMILY:        A family with good, strong canine leadership skills, the time to love on him, exercise him, teach him and give him the TLC he deserves.  A family who will continue teaching him he's safe and loved, and patiently help him gain confidence and security. S home with either a submissive larger dog or no other dogs.  A securely  fenced yard (6 ft) is  strongly preferred.

 

 

TOMMY'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 TOMMY?
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.