Over the winter our emergency line received a call from a shelter in California that one of our senior dogs had been surrendered without our knowledge. As is true of many rescues, our dogs are family and we do not leave them behind. We needed to get this dog back home to MAGSR so that she could move forward with a family that would cherish and protect her throughout her golden years. However, as California is not exactly in our backyard, we began reaching out to rescues near the shelter and were beyond lucky to find CalPaws K9 Rescue. Their incredible team worked with us to get our dog out of the shelter, vetted, and transported back home. We were beyond grateful for all of their support and told them that if help was needed in the future, we would do what we could to repay the favor. This past May, CalPaws asked us for a favor in return when they were faced with a critical situation requiring a fast response. A backyard breeder in their area had endured some significant medical issues and the decision was made that all of the dogs on the property needed to leave within the week. The breeder was housing a large number of dogs, primarily German Shepherds, ranging in age from puppies to six years old. It is estimated that there were at least 25 German Shepherds at the breeder's property, although as CalPaws began working with the property owner, it was thought that the actual number may be higher. With such a large number of dogs needing help, multiple rescues stepped forward to be part of the solution. We joined the effort to help and were able to welcome a couple of dogs to the safety of the MAGSR family. 

Exuberant Ellie made the journey across the country in early June. This lovely lady had never placed a paw off of the property prior to her removal at the end of May. Although many precautions were put into place before anyone was moved, it was known that this change would be extremely stressful for every dog involved. Everything and everyone would be new to this girl. Ellie safely made her way across the country thanks to an amazing pair of transporters. Upon her arrival she was placed with one of our experienced foster families as we knew she would likely need a little extra support decompressing and adjusting to the world around her. Over the last few weeks, MAGSR has been supporting Ellie as she works through the decompression process. She, like all shepherds, thrives with structure, routine, and leadership. A set routine with clear and achievable guidelines has helped significantly throughout the decompression process. At this time, Ellie is housebroken and crate trained. She easily goes into the crate but will talk for a while when her people leave the household. Although things like stairs, doorways, and household appliances were a shock upon arrival, Ellie has adjusted very well. She now does stairs like a pro and comfortably walks through doorways. Well behaved in the car, Ellie is happy to hop in and go for a ride. She keeps everyone in the car nice and safe with a few warning barks if someone gets too close. An incredible fan of toys, Ellie loves to play ball, chew on bones, and toss around a stuffy. She still isn't quite sure how to "play" with her human companions, but she definitely is entertaining. This sweet girl is hoping that her forever family has plenty of dog toys ready for daily fun. Understandably anxious and unsure when in new places, meeting new people, and encountering other animals, Ellie can respond reactively to the unknown. We have found that a strong, healthy bond with an experienced handler helps Ellie meet with success. Repeated opportunities and clear expectations have been helpful as Ellie learns about the world around her. Her foster family has been working hard to socialize Ellie within the community. However, her forever family will need to continue to work with Ellie on a daily basis to develop these skills. Training will be critical to her success. Not only will training help Ellie develop a healthy and trusting relationship with her forever family, but it will also help her gain the skills needed to develop into a stable and confident dog. Ellie has been through many challenges over the last month or so. However, she keeps moving forward. Ellie is looking for a patient and structured forever family that will provide daily exercise, evening cuddles, and endless opportunities to grow. If Ellie sounds like the right match for your family, ask to meet her today. 

Bowden is an impressive guy. Confident, intelligent, and charismatic, he has a fun personality and enjoys his people. Bowden's family absolutely adored him and did everything they could to ensure he met with success. They put time and energy into extensive training, daily interactions, and endless opportunities to learn about the world around him. As a result, Bowden understands the importance of a pack and the power of unconditional love. Although his family committed to Bowden when they adopted him, sometimes circumstances change and the best decision is to say goodbye. This choice is never easy; it is one of the most difficult decisions families make. However, when this decision was made, we promised that we would care for Bowden as his family had for the many years he lived with them. 

Having lived in a home, Bowden understands many of the ins and outs of living in a household. He is housebroken, crate trained, and obedience trained. Knowing many commands, Bowden likes to work and keep his mind busy. Although he clearly understands rules and expectations, Bowden, like many dogs, likes to push the envelope sometimes to ensure that the handler will follow through. As an alpha male, he does best with an experienced handler that will provide clear rules, boundaries, and expectations for both work and play. Responsive to the energy of the handler, Bowden prefers a calm and confident hand. Well versed with games such as tug and fetch, Bowden enjoys his playtime. A little less focused upon play than he was in his younger years, Bowden is happy to hang with his people once play time is finished. Senior dogs are special, they come with endless loyalty, the knowledge of expectations in the home, and the ability to take it slow some days. Bowden is looking for that magical match that will love him throughout his golden years. If this handsome guy is the right match for your family, ask to meet him today!