ZEUS is a stunning GSD eager to love and be loved!  He was a cruelty case, confiscated for neglect - and it showed.  He clearly had had NOTHING in his life.  No interaction with other animals, no love, barely any food, and no vet care.  

When we first met him at the shelter we were shocked by his physical condition - very skinny, weepy eyes, severely dehydrated, and apparent weakness in his back legs.  X-rays and blood work revealed nothing wrong.  At just 3 yrs old he was a victim of systematic human cruelty and extreme neglect.  He broke our hearts, and we couldn't leave him there to die.

So Zeus came into our program, and is in an awesome foster home with an incredibly dedicated and loving foster mom.  Her first task was to build up Zeus's strength and get him back to health.  With great food, baths, lots of attention, love, and some treatment for his eyes, Zeus is now in excellent physical condition and feeling better than he ever has in his entire life.  We can't even begin to comprehend the kind of daily, nonstop neglect that was a slow torture, leaving him dehydrated and literally starving to death.  We're just grateful he lived through it and is finally healthy! 

And now we're moving to the final phase of his rehab:  helping him understand how to be loved, to live in a normal loving home, and what good doggie behavior is.   He's very gentle with people he knows and great with people outside the home, but acts cautiously to strangers in "his" home.  He's still learning what appropriate protection of "his" territory looks like.   However, when properly introduced he warms up quickly and is fine with them.    

What's especially cool is that his foster mom reports Zeus' house manners are now "impeccable"!   He's polite and undemanding.  If he needs to go out during the night, he comes quietly to her bedside - and she sometimes thinks if she were a heavy sleeper she'd miss his gentle nudges.   He's housetrained and crate trained, but doesn't appear to need the crate when you're not home.  He's not destructive and can be trusted to be loose in the house when you're not home. 

He also does very well at the vet - "GSD reserved, dignified but friendly" is how his foster mom describes the visits.  He was patient with the exams and took his eye drops like a champ, no complaints.  It's as if he's coming to understand that people actually care about him and he's ok.

Zeus's greatest uncertainy is with other animals.  Typical of most outdoor dogs who never had any contact with other animals, he ran the fence line.  He considered it his job to keep "intruders" out, warning them off with strong reactions (barking, growling, going at the fence).  His foster reports he gets way too excited when he hears some of the neighbor dogs barking (which they do a lot), yet he's also been relaxed and friendly through the fence with an older Weimaraner next door - relaxed body language, tail low and wagging.   (This is common with dogs condemned to lives of isolation.  His backyard was his whole world and he became extremely protective of it - the fence was to be guarded religiously against all intruders.)  Dogs outside his fence get him going, yet he can be quiet and inquisitive with some dogs.  

Zeus is gentle with people, and unassuming.  He's also very strong and needs continuing work on leash manners (his first ever walk may have been the day we took him out of the shelter). He responds very well to verbal corrections and needs a firm leader to show him the ropes. He's house-trained and kennel-trained. Due to his VERY strong prey drive, no cats.

We do require Zeus' new family to be strong canine leaders to ensure proper control of his sheer size, lack of training, and his reaction around strange dogs and strange people.  He also requires a securely fenced yard.  
 

DOGS:                     Possibly.  Depends on the dog - must be submissive and non-threatening at minimum, and probably a large dog.  Small dogs are questionable.  Still learning about his dog-to-dog interactions
CATS:                      No, he has a strong prey drive
KIDS:                      Older kids 13 and up recommended
IDEAL FAMILY:        An active family with time and love for a large, un-socialized GSD. Must have a 6-foot privacy fenced yard. A family who understands German Shepherds and their protective tendencies, and is willing to train this gorgeous, sweet, loving boy who has had a rough start in life. 

ZEUS'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 ZEUS?
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.