PENNY is a beautiful, very small German Shepherd girl who has a third chance at life -- and is starting to really enjoy it!  She's a classic black and tan girl who's very petite, likely the runt of the litter. 

Penny was bought by a kind family from a store that billed itself as a "rescue" but in reality bought dogs from puppy mills and acted as a puppy broker.  There were many reports of terrible conditions at the storefront, and many reports of very sick puppies (it has since been shut down and all animals confiscated).  Her buyers couldn't bear to leave her there and took her home.  They were told she had only been there a few days, and had been "saved" from a "breeder".  After getting her home, they discovered she was terrified of everything, refused to eat until after the family had gone to bed, would run from family members, and clearly had been treated VERY badly.  We've seen this heartbreaking behavior in many puppy mill dogs.  But to see it in a 9 month old puppy was agonizing.  Due to her size and temperament, she was probably of no use to the puppy miller, who then dumped her to get a few dollars out of her.

The buyers took her home and tried their best to love her.  But they had an active young family with other pets, and weren't able to get her out of her shell.  After some months they contacted us begging for help.  We went to meet her and she stole our hearts.  We watched her hide behind furniture, tail tucked, and run from family members. 

The great news is that Penny is in an excellent foster home and making progress!  Her foster mom is a calm, strong leader who understands how to patiently let Penny adjust and then emerge at her own rate.  It will be an ongoing process that will take time, and her new family must be willing to continue it.  It  requires her new family to love her, show her that humans can be kind, and let her slowly learn to trust without pushing her.  Shy dogs like this are actually quite easy to help and wonderful to love.  The trick is this:  do NOT rush them, force them, or push them.  Let THEM tell you when they're ready to be petted, loved, given ear rubs -- all those things we naturally want to do right away.  That's the hard part - setting aside our natural instincts, our desire to rush up to the dog and hug her, hold her, reassure her.  SHE will be the one to tell you when she's ready.  And when you see those eyes light up for a belly rub, your heart will truly melt.  THIS is love!

Penny needs a fairly quiet home or at least one with no chaos.  Her family MUST be calm, strong leaders who understand (or are willing to learn) how to gradually help her come out of her shell and trust for the first time in her life. They must be patient too, since it will be a gradual process and you need to resist the urge to rush her.  She's already beginning to trust a little bit - when we got her she seemed tense 24/7, but she now occasionally relaxes!  She's in a foster home with a cat and 2 medium-sized dogs who are older and mellow - and does well with all of them.  When she came to us she was full of fleas and had a large number of scabs.  Some of these appear to be hot spots and we have had her treated for both.  Further evidence of how much better she's doing is that when she went to the vet, she did extremely well and didn't shy away during the exam.  We're very proud of her progress!

Penny is a fantastic little girl who had the misfortune to be born in a puppy mill, kept there, dumped, sent to a broker, and sold to an environment that couldn't help her.  She was  mistreated, neglected and never knew human kindness until recently.  BUT THE BAD OLD DAYS ARE OVER FOR PENNY!  Her future is bright as she slowly emerges into "the light" of a loving, calm, patient home.  And when she "gets it", watch out world - because she'll be THE most loyal, loving dog around!

Are YOU the patient, loving family with a huge heart who will earn Penny's trust and show her a bright new world?

 
DOGS:                    Yes, MUST have at least one other dog in the family.  Still her greatest comfort level
CATS:                    Yes, lives with one in foster care
KIDS:                     Gentle kids who are respectful of her space only.  Wild and chaotic kids will scare her
IDEAL FAMILY:       A gentle, understanding family who will not coddle her, but help her emerge gently into the world of a loving, forever home.  A relatively quiet home with a securely fenced yard.  A family who will continue the rehab we have started with her, and understand that she can NOT be pushed, but must be allowed to learn and evolve at her own pace.
 
 

PENNY'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 PENNY?
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