SAM is an adorable, medium-sized guy who had a horrible life before coming to MOGS.  He lived his entire life on a 5 ft logging chain!!

He and his son (Benny, who also came into our program) were chained outdoors at the back of the yard all their lives.  We were called when the family's rental house was sold and the new landlord decided he would not allow the dogs.  Although they had only been in the rental home a few weeks, the boys had already worn deep ruts in the pitiful 5 ft radius their heavy logging chains allowed.

When we arrived to meet Sam, all he and his son wanted to do was bark, growl and lunge at us.  For over 30 minutes, we threw them bits of hot dogs. That didn't help, but when we had them bring each boy inside one at a time to observe how they interacted with the family, we saw that these boys were really just starved for love.  Even with strangers (us) standing a few feet away, all Sam did was beg for love, attention, and affection from his family.  The sadness in Sam's eyes was heartbreaking.  He knew this brief time off the chain and the attention of his "family" wouldn't last long, yet he was desperate for it.  After 10 minutes, they put him back on his chain and we silently cried as we watched his sad, dejected walk back to his private hell.

Sadly, the family was proud to tell us how much they loved the dogs.  They said "Sometimes the kids walk them around the block and sometimes even around two blocks."  That was the total exercise Sam ever got!  So while the family watched their 90" and 60" big screen TVs with expensive top-of-the-line sound systems, the dogs they said they loved sat out in the cold and heat, night after night, day after day, in filthy ramshackle dog houses - hungry, alone, bored, suffering.

Even though we had absolutely no room we couldn't leave them to certain death.  We knew that Sam was a great dog who had been horribly neglected and abused by humans -- and just needed a chance. 

So we managed, with much help from another local group, to get Sam and his son to the vet, where they were neutered and given their shots.  We also treated Sam for heartworm (the owners had never bothered with monthly preventive).  

For a short time, Sam was in a temporary loving foster home.  At first he had to be kenneled most of the time while he adjusted to the presence of other dogs, a cat, and a very loving family.  Overnight Sam went from being a chained dog living on a heavy logging chain with 5 ft of space and a filthy decrepit dog house, to a warm, comfortable kennel indoors with plenty of company, food, water.   He went from sitting in mud 24/7 to laying on a clean, fluffy bed.  He went from being flea-infested to being flea-free.  He had a massive worm infestation and bloody ears from fly bites. The tips of his ears will never grow back but for the first time in his life, Sam finally found himself with peace, comfort, security, safety, food - with love.

And Sam soon let his foster mom know how much he really wanted to be out with the family!  He got along great with the other dogs in the house (small and large) and with guidance, he did fine with the cat.  SAM JUST WANTED TO BELONG, TO BE LOVED. '

Unfortunately the foster home was only able to foster him temporarily, and so Sam went into boarding.  He desperately needs a foster home or adopter!!! 

Sam is still something of a work in progress, or a "project".  He sometimes doesn't like other male dogs, though not always.  And he still doesn't trust all people, so needs to be supervised around visitors to the home.  After a lifetime on a logging chain, Sam needs a loving family who will help him learn what appropriate protection of "his" home means.  

So if you're looking for a wonderful boy who knows what hell is like and never wants to be there again - who will appreciate every kindness and act of love - who will love you more than you knew possible - Sam's the dog for you!  

He's absolutely 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's a lovebug who would climb in your lap if you let him.  He wants to love and be loved.  He shamelessly begs for a belly rub or ear scratch.  And while he can still let other male dogs know who's boss, he likes other animals too. 

His new family will need to remember, though, that Sam is a high husky mix and true to his breed, won't put up any nonsense from other animals.  We don't recommend Sam around other dominant dogs, especially dominant males.

In addition, Sam is still a "recovering chained dog."  He is super sweet to most people, but if he is uncertain he can and will react according to his old chained-dog patterns - and nip or lunge.  He is NOT good around small children, as he isn't used to their high energy movements and unpredicatable noises.  Sam needs a calm, quiet household with an experienced handler who understands the hell of being a chained dog -- someone who will show him who the leader is, what the rules are, what appropriate protectionism is, and how to generally live in "polite society".   So Sam is not a dog for everyone, thanks to his former owners who put him through hell on a chain for 4 years.  Now he needs a human who understands what he's been through  and will have the patience, love and leadership to teach him what a normal, loving life is like.

What Sam needs is love, a good strong leader, and time/guidance/oversight to learn what the rules are.  He needs someone who will supervise him appropriately while he learns and evolves from a chained dog to a beloved family dog.

Are YOU the fortunate family who will share your lives with Sam?  Who will learn so much from his patience and survival skills?  Who will be the lucky ones he loves?  Is that YOU?  If so, you'll have the most loyal, loving companion around! 



DOGS:                  Appears to like most dogs.  Not recommended for dominant males
CATS:                   Yes.  Did well with guidance from his foster mom
KIDS:                    Older kids only - 15 yrs and up
IDEAL FAMILY:      A loving human who will understand he's spent his life on a chain and is still learning how to be a "normal" dog!  A human who will love him and teach him!!  A human who can and will give him strong supervision and oversight while he learns that he no longer has to "protect his territory" against strange humans.  He's fine with most people, but due to his background as a frustrated chained dog, he still will react negatively to some people and requires a strong, experienced leader to help him through his training and rehab into a normal, loving life.

If you're looking for a smart, very trainable buddy
who will love you forever,
and are a strong, capable leader willing to invest time and patience,
SAM may be your ideal family member!

SAM's ADOPTION FEE:   $195
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 SAM?
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.