IKE is a handsome and heartbreakingly sweet boy who desperately needs a loving family to show him what kindness, warmth and love really are!  Despite having been starved and confined for years, he's loving and good-natured.  He's living proof of how resilient and forgiving these wonderful dogs are!

Ike was confiscated from a breeder for neglect and cruelty, along with two of his puppies (Ollie and Tia).  The little family lived in a shelter for over 30 days while the legal case went on, and finally the breeder signed the dogs over to the shelter.  We immediately took the family in and started them on the road to health.   Ike's foster dad picked him up from the shelter and immediately made a beeline for a wonderful groomer -- Dog's Day Out in Independence MO, who is superb and donates her help for the rescue dogs!  There they trimmed his overgrown nails, and gave Ike a deep-cleaning bath and groom.  He was so filthy from years of living outdoors in a small pen that the dirt was literally embedded in his skin!  

Once in the comfort and safety of a real home with loving people, Ike showed what a true sweetheart he is!  He loved the attention of his foster parents and their two children.  He loved meeting their senior dog and their young, energetic dog.  He loved being outdoors in the nice weather.   It's hard to believe what a truly nice boy he is, after all the horrors he lived through at the hands of humans.

Ike is weak in the back end from years of malnutrition and living in a pen without exercise.  We will have him evaluated and xrays done, but are waiting for a few weeks while he gains weight and we stabilize his body condition.  Even in his first week in his foster home, he improved in his ability to walk around the yard - he even began to trot with the other dogs and try to run the fence line with them!  He doesn't yet have any endurance and tires of the trotting easily, but it means he can and will improve with time, consistent exercise and patience as his muscle mass returns to his back legs.  He sometimes struggles to get up and can't handle stairs well.  He's fine doing the 2-3 steps out the back door to the yard, but he needs a home with very minimal stairs.  

Ike is a handsome hunk of a GSD who fell into a cruel breeder's hands, and paid dearly for it.  But even though the first part of his life was miserable, now he has the chance to have a fantastic rest-of-his-life with a loving family!  And he's a boy who will repay you in spades!

If you're a family who likes to stay home a lot, and is just moderately active, Ike may be the perfect buddy and loving companion for you!  Someone is going to be super lucky to have this forgiving boy in their family!  Is that YOU?



DOGS:               Yes.  In foster care with two other large dogs, one mellow and one energetic.
CATS:                Unknown.  Would have to be tested.
KIDS:                 Yes.  In foster care with two kids ages 10 yrs
IDEAL FAMILY:   A moderately active family WITH NO STAIRS to speak of (can do only 2-3 easy steps).  A family who will shower him with the love this sweet boy deserves, and patiently help him rebuild his strength in the back end.  A securely fenced yard is strongly preferred so he can exercise and have the freedom to roam his yard.

If you've ever wanted to show a heartbreakingly sweet German Shepherd what real love is - something he's NEVER known before -
IKE needs you!

IKE'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 IKE?
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.