JERRY is a beautiful classic black-and-tan German Shepherd who loves people and is going to be a wonderful family dog for some lucky family!

He's great with other dogs, currently lives with several large dogs in his foster home, and lived his whole life with his brother Tom.  In fact, Jerry must have a doggie brother or sister - it's his comfort zone (he clearly gets worried when separated from his brother).

Jerry's story is a sad one.  He and his brother Tom (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.  Jerry often got out of the makeshift pen and was found wandering around the neighborhood looking for food and love.

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, and 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 Jerry is going to be a truly incredible family member - loving, friendly, great with other dogs, a happy-go-lucky guy.  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!

Jerry is already housebroken and is 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.  A doggie buddy will also help in this regard.

Jerry is very trainable and responds well to verbal corrections.  He would love a strong canine leader who will 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 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, and taught nothing.  But once out of the crate Jerry shows no aggression at all.  

He's 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.

Jerry 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.
 


DOGS:                     YES!  MUST HAVE A DOGGIE BUDDY (lives with large dogs, small dogs would have to be tested)
CATS:                      Possibly - under close supervision and with STRONG leadership
KIDS:                       Unknown, would need to test this.  Lived with a 13 yr old boy but was an outdoor, penned dog during that time
IDEAL FAMILY:        A home with time to love on him, exercise him, and show him the TLC he so deserves.  A family who will continue teaching him he's safe and loved, and patiently help him gain confidence and security.  A home with at least one other doggie buddy.  A securely  fenced yard (6 ft) is  strongly preferred.

 

 

JERRY'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 JERRY?
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.