ORION is a stunning hunk of 2-year old GSD who's full of energy and excitement to discover what this whole love-and-life-thing is all about!  We recently saved this gorgeous guy after his owners left him at a local shelter, saying they had too many dogs.  Despite this abandonment, he's as sweet as he can be and looking for a forever family to love for life! 

Orion was clearly an outdoor dog all his life, left unattended, untrained, unsocialized and unloved.  He's painfully thin, and had worms, fly strikes on his ears, and some food aggression from having to fight the pack for what food he got.  Because of the total lack of kindness and human love in his life previoiusly, he's unsure of people and a bit shy or reluctant around them at first.   But he's already learning what "love" means and is responding like a champ!  He's in a lively foster home filled with small kids, dogs, and lots of activity -- and is coming out of his shell more every day. 

He was obviously never allowed to set foot in a house before -- he was terrified of stairs, bare floors, sudden movements, and normal household noises.  He scares easily when approached too quickly, or at sudden noises and movements.  When scared, he tends to run and hide.  For this reason he will be a "flight risk" for a while and we require a home with a securely fenced yard (a 6' privacy fence strongly preferred). 

This is a sensitive boy who simply needs time and patience, along with good training - and he's going to be an outstanding dog in all ways!

Orion is already beginning to relax and open up in his foster home. He' working hard on learning good doggie manners and how to live indoors.  He's become a "velcro" dog to his foster mom when inside, always following and never leaving her side. It also seems he was never allowed to have a puppyhood and now intends to make up for lost time!   He has the energy of a GSD youngster, so please note:  supervision of Orion is extremely important! He still has many "puppy behaviors" typical of untrained young GSDs:  mouthing, a little jumping up, and chewing on everything! 

Now here are the things he loves!

• Squeaky toys.  Loves them so much, he collects them in his kennel
• Running and stretching his legs.  Absolutely LOVES running around the yard by himself or even better, with his dog-siblings.
• Dog Siblings  Lived with dogs his whole life and clearly is more confident around them, so must have at least one dog buddy to play and run around with.
• His kennel.  Feels his kennel is his "safe place", enjoys laying in it with the door open throughout the day when someone is home.  He is now kennel trained!
• Kids.  He adores the 3 small kids in his foster home and looks grieved when the youngest one is out of his sight.  However, he's a big, strong, untrained puppy in his behavior and is still learning how to play appropriately with both dogs and kids - and absolutely has to be supervised around small kids while he continues his training!  Due to his sheer size and strength, he can easily knock a small child over in play, or scratch a child, just as any large dog can.

Orion is starting to develop confidence thanks to his loving foster home and is making good progress.  He's slowly letting go of his fears and learning to trust. It's clear he WANTS to trust, and just needs time to understand that life really is good from here on out - that he's safe, loved, and this miracle is permanent.  His new family MUST continue his socialization and continually/systematically introduce him to new things in a controlled way to build his confidence.  

In short, Orion is an amazing guy and deserves THE best family and life ever!

Are you looking for a young, energetic, sweet, loving companion?  Are you willing and able to show him how loving and wonderful a family can be?  Are you the ones who will take the time and patience to teach him manners, supervise him, expose him to the wide world around him, and help him understand love?  If so, you're going to have THE best dog ever as a lifetime BFF!  Apply now!

 
DOGS:                YES with dogs of similar size/play desire.  Plays rough and still needs supervision and training.  Has not been tested with small dogs yet.  MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOGGIE BUDDY. 
CATS:                 Unknown, would have to be tested.
KIDS:                  Yes but older kids only, age 10 and above. MUST be supervised. 
IDEAL FAMILY:   An active, loving, patient family who will include him in all their activities, and teach him all the things a young German Shepherd needs to learn!  MUST have at least one doggie buddy.  A securely fenced yard is required, 6 ft privacy fence strongly preferred.
 

Orion'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 Orion?
Complete an Adoption Application Now!

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids

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.