CHRISSY is a petite little heart-stealer!  Sadly, she was recently returned after 4 years due to a move.  Our hearts ache for this sweet-to-the-core lady who's been through so much and now has lost her family.   Our small (48 lb) and stunning whitei GSD girl is now on the hunt for her final and absolutely forever family!

BACKGROUND
Chrissy's first 3 years of life were spent in near-total isolation.  She was thrown in a pen in the backyard and had little interaction with her humans.  She was never part of the family and never knew anything or anyone outside her pen and the few people who sometimes came to feed her.  Her people finally gave her to MOGS, saying they didn't have time for her and glad to have her gone. 

So when Chrissy first came to us she was almost shut down -- shy doesn't begin to describe her.  She was scared of new people, places, and things. She needed socialization, exposure, experience, and -- most of all - LOVE!  In the years since then she has improved greatly and loves people and life. She greets new people to her home gently, and only occasionally avoids new visitors.  She is a gentle, unassuming soul who has never shown any aggression to either people or other dogs.

TEMPERAMENT
Chrissy is one of the best-natued, sweet-tempered dogs!  She long ago forgave people for her first terrible years of starvation, fleas and flies.  All she wants is to love and be loved!  One look at those soul-filled eyes and your heart is a goner. 

PEOPLE
Chrissy is good with people, though she sometimes still is a littl reluctant around some men (her former owner was a man who neglected and mistreated her).  She warms up quickly to most people and loves attention.  If she feels uncomfortable with anyone, she simply retreats and avoids interacting with that person. 

ANIMALS
Dogs:  Chrissy was in foster care with another GSD and a corgi who was a frequent visitor.  She acted like the 'spunky little sister' to the GSD but adjusted her play style and energy perfectly to the smaller corgi.  She has been an only dog in the adoptive home, but has been around other dogs sometimes and still seems to love them.  On walks she wants to greet and play. 
Small Critters:  She previously had been around small-ish dogs and did fine.  Cats are unknown and would have to be tested -- we've never seen her around them and she never met any in her adoptive home.  Her adopter parents report that she does chase rabbits in the backyard and think she would  kill them if she caught one, but that may or  may not translate to a family cat.   

HOUSE MANNERS
Chrissy is house trained and crate trained, and we recommend that she be crated when family members are not home.  Since she lived in her adoptive home for 4 years, she was no longer crated but she did sleep in her kennel at night and "put herself to bed."  She still uses her kennel to retreat to when she wants quiet time or to "get away".  She will need to have a crate available to sleep in and retreat to (her "room").

Chrissy needs a good leader, who will guide her to be a well-behaved young lady.  She needs structure and training as well as consistent exercise and love.  She's a quick learner, but will need correction and consistency to further her growth!

MEDICAL
Today Chrissy is a healthy and happy girl.  She's come a long way since we first took her from the first owners -- when we picked her up we rushed her right to the vet because she had bloody ears from fly-strike, was 10-20 lbs underweight, and had a massive flea-infestation. 


DOGS:    YES. Would like a doggie buddy. Has done well with large and small dogs.
CATS:     Unknown.  Has not been around them and will need to be tested.
KIDS:     Chrissy has lived with an older child (starting about age 9 yrs) and has had very young children (up to age 10) as frequent visitors.  Chrissy's adopters said she's wonderful with kids. HOWEVER, as with any large dog she needs to be supervised around small kids to be sure a child isn't injured by something as simple as being accidentally knocked over by the large dog.
IDEAL FAMILY:   A moderately active family who will give her the love, exercise, love, leadership, and love (did we mention love -- as in LIFETIME love?) she needs.  Would love to have kids and a doggie buddy, and go everywhere with her family.
FENCE:   a physically-fenced yard is required, 6' fence strongly preferred.

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