The GA 38 arrived in MAGSR’s care in early/mid January 2019 and over the past two months, their transformation has been nothing short of amazing. These 38 broken souls knew nothing but a life of filth, hunger, and abuse. Their eyes were filled with the look of fear, emptiness and uncertainty. They cowered in the corners of their runs and tried to be as far away from humans as possible and MAGSR volunteers knew they had quite a challenge ahead to right the wrongs of their past prior to arriving in MAGSR's care. MAGSR volunteers stepped up & took on the challenge head on. And now, two months later, through the endless work of dedicated volunteers that have selflessly given their time, patience and love, these beautiful creatures have begun to meet us with tail wags, lean-ins as we walk with them, and most importantly, where once there was emptiness and fear in their eyes, it’s clear those memories have been replaced with hope and even a bit of curiosity. Their wounds have healed, their bellies are full and they have learned that all humans aren’t so bad. They are greeting us at the front of their kennel runs now eager for treats and walks. All of them have learned to walk on a leash and we are beginning some basic obedience with them such as "sit", "heel" and “watch me.” They are now used to being handled regularly for normal things such as baths, getting their weights taken, and taking their monthly preventatives. Best of all, volunteers are seeing their unique personalities and social side come out with other dogs. Just a few months ago, they were all fighting for the same food and water and ability to stay alive but today, many have completely let down their guard and are comfortable enough to engage in play and/or positively interact with other dogs. All  of these dogs have shown us how intelligent and resilient they are and have made significant strides in their road of rehabilitation. They are ready for the next chapter of their journey and we hope you may be part of  their story.

Leona has classic white GSD beauty, intelligence, spunk, loyalty, confidence and athleticism. Leona’s foster parents, and their friends and neighbors, have been big fans of this charming young lady since the day she came to her foster home. Given her traumatizing background, it is remarkable that Leona quickly bonds with her person and has a strong desire for human companionship. Leona has come a long way. Leona is social and friendly. On Halloween, Leona calmly greeted over 60 children and was sweet, even when the wolfman wanted to pet her. When visiting a Christmas village, she encountered many noisy children who wanted to approach her and she was just lovely. Leona receives an A+ for gentle behavior. Leona is good with dogs - she has been super friendly with all dogs she has encountered – big, happy, tail wags. If partnered with another dog, Leona wants to be #1 - she is very committed to being #1 and the center of attention - she wants all of the human’s attention and has no problem telling her person and anyone else around who will listen all about it. In social settings, Leona has been great. She calmly navigates the busy Rehoboth boardwalk like a champ. She has proven to be a confident shopper and has enjoyed many trips to hardware stores, pet stores, outdoor holiday stores, and has no issues in a pet-friendly outdoor restaurant. She even likes the vet. She receives praise and compliments often and her foster parents are thrilled that they can take her anywhere with them. Leona is not one who lacks confidence. Leona loves the car - just open any car door and she will be jump right in. Of course, the front passenger seat is where she really wants to be, but she will settle for the back as long as she is not left behind. Leona is pretty great on a leash. She can show off a nice “heel” even when on a long line. Especially when in a familiar area, she is attentive to her person and matches her pace to a casual walk, hike, jog, run, or sprint along a bicycle – thrilled to be outside. Leona is highly intelligent, an astute observer, and a fast learner - basic commands (sit, down, come, stay, etc.) are practiced daily and she is eager to earn praise (and chicken, of course). When introduced to basic agility challenges, she demonstrated natural talent and joy in the training process. Training with Leona is fun. Leona is not perfect, but who is? Would she be fine in a fenced-in yard? Well, if you mean that fences and gates are basic agility obstacles, then Leona will gladly demonstrate how joyful and easy for her to get right over them. Leona’s adopter will need to be fully committed to keeping her safe as she is still a high flight risk. Is Leona crate trained? That’s complicated. Leona can school crate engineers with her product testing skills. A standard crate is a definite NO. Confined spaces are just not her thing. She also knows how to unclip herself (at her collar/leash junction) and standard closing mechanisms (i.e. metal carabiners) pose no challenge either. Leona has not figured out how to open a padlock yet, but she has given it serious effort. Only a few things scare Leona, but she is stronger than she looks and fast, and her person needs to stay attentive. Leona respects boundaries and rules, but as any teenage girl, she is of the mindset that rules ought to be properly tested (how else would she know that her person really means them?). Leona can be headstrong, and spunk and wit are part of her charm. Consistency with her is key. Is she cool being alone at home? That has been work-in-progress. This social butterfly really wants to be with her person and did not start as a fan of the 8-hour workday. Her foster parents have gradually increased her independent time and she has done well. Leona will be best matched with a confident person with prior GSD experience, as well as experience with adult rescues and training, who would have her as a true companion and part of their active life, and a person invested in keeping her intellectually and physically challenged. In return, she will be a charming and loyal partner, ready to roll with any adventure. She has had a tough background as one of the GA 38 cohort, but she shows such incredible potential and her confidence is wonderful. She will give good days and bad days on the journey, but with patience and support, she will dedicate her life to her adoptive family. If Leona sounds like a good fit for your family, please ask to meet her.

The first few days of Huan in her foster home are going well. She loves to go for walks, and is very easy to walk. When her humans are watching tv, Huan likes laying on her doggy bed. She's very friendly, laid back, and listens to what her humans tell her. At night time, she sleeps either on the doggy bed or in the open crate, and switches back and forth. When she sees her human, or something or someone she likes, she wags her tail and her whole back end wiggles with it - she's got a wiggle butt. She is house broken. Stay tuned for more updates on Huan and ask to meet her if you think she may be the one for you.

HI!  My name is Regis and I LOVE BELLY RUBS!  When people come over and start petting me, I roll right over to get some belly rubs!  I love to make my rounds to all the volunteers when us dogs are being walked at the kennel to get my share of attention and belly rubs.  But that's not my only super power - I walk well on a leash (they say I have a good 'heel', but I didn't know dogs had heels?) and tend to sit when my walker stops.  I can sit, down, am working on stay, and I jump right in the car for a ride.  It's fun to bark at the passing cars while riding, but I settle down when I'm told to and become a great riding companion!  I'm a good boy with the vet, even when I'm not feeling so hot.  They say I'm probably house trained, but I don't remember training any houses.  They tell me how sweet I am and I love playing with other pups!  I do have a little bit of a problem with fast hand movements, I get frightened and bark at them, but we're working on that too.  I have tons of energy, and would love to try something like agility or nose work - they also say I have a great sniffer!  I would just love to have a family of my own to love and cuddle with, could that family be yours?

The GA 38 arrived in MAGSR’s care in early/mid January 2019 and over the past two months, their transformation has been nothing short of amazing. These 38 broken souls knew nothing but a life of filth, hunger, and abuse. Their eyes were filled with the look of fear, emptiness and uncertainty. They cowered in the corners of their runs and tried to be as far away from humans as possible and MAGSR volunteers knew they had quite a challenge ahead to right the wrongs of their past prior to arriving in MAGSR's care. MAGSR volunteers stepped up & took on the challenge head on. And now, two months later, through the endless work of dedicated volunteers that have selflessly given their time, patience and love, these beautiful creatures have begun to meet us with tail wags, lean-ins as we walk with them, and most importantly, where once there was emptiness and fear in their eyes, it’s clear those memories have been replaced with hope and even a bit of curiosity. Their wounds have healed, their bellies are full and they have learned that all humans aren’t so bad. They are greeting us at the front of their kennel runs now eager for treats and walks. All of them have learned to walk on a leash and we are beginning some basic obedience with them such as "sit", "heel" and “watch me.” They are now used to being handled regularly for normal things such as baths, getting their weights taken, and taking their monthly preventatives. Best of all, volunteers are seeing their unique personalities and social side come out with other dogs. Just a few months ago, they were all fighting for the same food and water and ability to stay alive but today, many have completely let down their guard and are comfortable enough to engage in play and/or positively interact with other dogs. All  of these dogs have shown us how intelligent and resilient they are and have made significant strides in their road of rehabilitation. They are ready for the next chapter of their journey and we hope you may be part of  their story.

My foster mom and dad told me that it’s time for me to do some bragging. I’m not entirely sure what that means but I’m going to give it a try. A couple of weeks ago, a MAGSR volunteer told me I was a lucky girl because I was heading into a foster home. I wasn’t so sure that that sounded like a good idea but, wow was I wrong. My foster family has furry siblings of the big and small variety. The kitties are incredibly bossy but, I know they just want to make sure I understand the rules. I absolutely love the dogs in the household. They make me feel confident and are teaching me the ropes. My favorite dog in the house has even started teaching me how to play! Who knew that living in a home could be so much fun? I’m told that I am crate trained at this point and that I am making huge progress with this thing called housebreaking. It took me a few weeks to get the hang of the living in a household; however, I’m a pro at the stairs at this point and I’m getting really good at going in and out of doors. Most household sounds are becoming second nature with fewer and fewer things causing me to jump. Although I am still getting a little nervous in the neighborhood, especially when kids are running around, my foster family says I am doing really well. I tend to stay really close to my handler and only pull when I have a small freak out. They tell me that typically those things happen when new items or unknown people are encountered. There are just so many new things to adjust to. My foster family says that all my progress means that it’s time to start learning some commands. I’m not sure what that entails, but I let you know how it goes. 

Over the last few months, Milla has continued to reveal more of her goofy, playful, and inquisitive personality to her foster family. Milla wakes up most mornings ready to head out on a walk and bounce around with her foster fur siblings. She knows how to heel and sit, but is often so excited when the neighborhood is quiet that she needs a few reminders. Milla typically spends a few hours a day bopping about the house, playing with toys, and following her foster mom around. Although Milla enjoys being busy, she does know how to chill out. Actively seeking out the most comfortable places in the house, Milla loves to lounge on the couch or in a bed. Surprise sounds and quick movements continue to startle Milla, but she is recovering quicker with her foster family. Although she hides her playful personality from strangers, Milla is a fun-filled pup once she is comfortable. Due to her history, accepting new people and finding comfort in their presence is a slow process for Milla. She will require a family that is patient, structured, and calm. This environment will help Milla adjust to her new surroundings over time. If Milla sounds like the right dog for your family, please inquire about her today. 

Chase has been doing extremely well in his foster home, he appears to be house broken as he has not had any "accidents" although we keep close watch on him and provide scheduled (and guided) potty breaks.  He has taken to his crate well and whimpers a bit when first put in for the night but settles down.  It appears he has never been in a home with stairs as he was uncertain & scared when confronted with them but he got over that quickly.  He craves attention and falls in your lap if you sit on the floor.  We've started basic obedience training and he is eager to engage during his lessons.  He gets along well with our resident GSD and he loves playing with her but we're not sure about cats (I've not seen much of a prey drive in him either).  He's going to make a great family pet.