Success Stories
This is what we are all about.
When we place a dog in a great home, everyone in the rescue is elated. Nothing feels better than helping our dogs on their journey to find a forever home where they can love and be loved.We thank every one of our adoptive families for opening their hearts and homes to our dogs.
These are the most recent MAGSR Success Stories. Success Stories reported prior to 2016 can be found here.
Salem never fails to remind you of her intelligence. A few things Salem loves to do is, Play with my husband, Run and walks, and probably her favorite is swimming. Loves taking naps with her new sister and playing a game where treats are hidden and then search and enjoy. It’s never a dull moment for her.
Last Sunday, October 10th, we celebrated Blackjack's (formally known as Jinx) one year anniversary at his Forever Home!
We received BJ at 9 weeks old from the Mississippi mud. Like many rescues, BJ was scrawny, stinky, starving, and filled with parasites. Blackjack cleaned up well and filled out fast! At his one year birthday (we are marking as August 1st) Blackjack weighed in at a healthy 86 lbs!!
Blackjack is a quick learner and highly trainable thanks in most part to his older sister, 12 year Belgium Shepherd, Amber. Blackjack loves to play ball, that deserves repeating, Blackjack l-o-v-e-s to play ball! BJ would be a great shortstop; he is fast, and always in front of the ball. It helps we have lacrosse players at home for BJ to play ball with. BJ has daily playdates with his nextdoor neighbor, a mixed terrier, Marley, adopted at the same time, same age. Marley's high energy is a great match for BJ at play time. Blackjack loves his older sister, they are side by side chasing squirrels, on daily walks, hanging out in the backyard, keeping watch over the house, or napping. Blackjack is very people and dog friendly, and his carefree demeanor helps relax Amber, who is always on guard, alert to protect her home, her family. Blackjack has also brought back a playfulness to Amber in her later years.
Of course, Blackjack has added more joy and playfulness to the whole family!
Almost our 1 year gotcha day for Buddy (FKA Jonah). We love him with all of our hearts. He was a wonder boy getting through his HW treatment and has been a happy, playful boy ever since.
He loves people, dogs and day camp, swimming, agility and tricks training, and learns everything VERY fast.
Thank you MAGSR, for our very happy family.
One year and one day after adoption!
Thank you MAGSR for all your work rescuing this bouncy beautiful big-hearted girl and also for curing her of heartworm. She brings me lots of joy.
Nala has been doing great. Her 120 day heartworm test was negative. Star of puppy class!! She has come a long way now she is 59 pounds from the 40 when she was found.
My wonderful new GSD Ike (formerly “King”) came as a package deal with his best buddy, Cricket (formerly “Duke”)—a blind, deaf Jack Russell terrier. I think I hit the jackpot. Ike is really my best GSD ever—charming, loving, and exuberant! Cricket is sweet and soft. I’ve nicknamed him “Bonkers” cuz that’s how he navigates—bonk, bonk, bonk. Ike is very solicitous of Cricket, giving him the big dog bed and his own favorite ball to sleep with. Cricket totally ignores him if he can. (Hard to do when your BIG big brother runs over, puts his nose under your rear end, and flips you up!) The difference in pace is dramatic. Ike loves to race like a thoroughbred across the 4 acre pasture at my country house; Cricket moves about zero MPH. Love them both so much.
Cora's "Pup-date": Cora came to us malnourished, lice-ridden, and on medications for a few different things. Through her first few weeks with us, we learned she had a fractured jaw and had contracted kennel cough. Despite her rough start, none of this seemed to phase her--constantly romping around and enjoying playing with her toys. Her personality really shined through once she was feeling 100% and we've been trying to keep up with her since. She's incredibly smart with an appetite to learn (especially if food's involved)! She recently (finally) learned how to go up the stairs and has been losing her baby teeth left and right. She gets along well with both of her "aunties"--both are older labs and very tolerant to her rambunctious antics. She's well on her way to being a well-mannered pup! Looking back on where she started and how far she's come, we're overjoyed with her progress and couldn't imagine our life pre-Cora.
Attached some photos of Cora, one is on "Gotcha Day" and the rest are pretty recent—you can really see the difference!
Kumba (known as Myna at the time of adoption - MAGSR Tag #: 6941) has been adapting well to our family. She loves morning and afternoon walks as well as play sessions with us and with dog friends in the neighborhood. She has met our friends and family and loves seeing them. She has also made two really good dog friends and loves running and playing with them, at least once a week. Kumba recently graduated from basic obedience training as the top dog of her class (scored 148/160 in final exam). We have to say Brandy did an amazing job while she took care of Kumba before we adopted her so foundations of commands were already strong -- Thank YOU, Brandy!! This week she’ll be starting a basic course for agility. We’ll keep you posted too!
Kumba already loves going camping and loves running on the beach, though she is not too happy getting too close to the water 😉 Our family loves Kumba and are very grateful for MAGSR trusting us with the adoption. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Ryker is now 6.5 months old and is doing well. His one ear still doesn't stand upright but so far the other dogs haven't made fun of him for that.
He loves playing with his dog sister Cadi.
It is hard to believe it has been a year since Leona and I adopted one another. I don't want to bury the lead though: Leona's peace and happiness just would not have been possible without her MAGSR team including her wonderful foster family, and so for those of you who think or wonder about Leona, I want to assure you she is experiencing and sharing joy widely these days!
Ever since being adopted in May 2020, Leona has enjoyed many adventures - beach, bay, mountains, and woods among them - but above all, her favorite place continues to be home and her favorite company continues to be her family. While Leona gets plenty of practice socializing, she does pick favorites (this will not come as a surprise to those who have met her!) Gradually, she has been welcoming more humans and furies into her definition of family. She's a pack gal, but she's gradually graced more of us with the depth and strength of her bond.
As a MAGSR rescue and GA38 survivor, Leona has challenges (don't we all?!) and she and her human are life-long learners, committed to putting in the work and growing together. That being said - Leona has come a LONG way. She increasingly meets triggers and challenges with heightened confidence, calm, and grace. This is in part because of the strong bond we have, which we have many to thank for cultivating - including our two and four-legged friends and teachers at Arrowwood Shepherds.
For those of you who knew Leona - the diva gal - the Houdini-dog - the mischief maker - fear not, her sparkle and sass have not been dimmed! However, when you see her again I hope you experience the joy I do in her more joyful demeanor, her more liberal tail wags, her unbridled enthusiasm for rolling in anything and everything, and the hopefulness that lives in her eyes where fear and mistrust used to frequent. I hope you get to see it in person soon!
Immense and sustained gratitude to all those from MAGSR whose patience, compassion, and dedication helped Leona find peace, joy, and security in her forever home!
We adopted Dakota (MAGSR name Aba) in August 2018 and cannot imagine our lives without her! We have bonded so much.
Dakota came to us as a very timid and quiet puppy and that continues to be her personality for which we love her immensely. She did gain a lot of confidence through AKC Basic Obedience training and, later on, AKC Canine Good Citizen.
She continues to blossom into a very happy, well-behaved, and obedient dog with more recall training and heal training that we try to keep up on a daily basis. She enjoys road running (up to five miles long) and trail running (hoping to stretch it out to longer distances on the trail) and knows when her running partner is getting ready to go for a run. Dakota immediately sits right in front and looks straight in the eyes, as if to ask, “Am I going? I’m ready! Pick me!” Even if she is tired and spent from a morning run, Dakota will perk up at the word "run” or “ready” a few hours later and will never pass an opportunity to go outside.
Dakota overcame a huge fear of lawnmowers. Although fear of loud noises (thunderstorms, fire crackers, gun shots, etc.) continues to terrify her, she learned that when we are near to give her a squeeze and a firm pat on her side, she is going to be okay. Her crate continues to be her safest place, she prefers to be in her locked crate when experiencing bouts of fear.
As timid as she can be, Dakota never fails to alert us of clear and present danger. She will growl and give a couple of warning barks at someone approaching with a big walking stick or an otherwise big object being carried in a particularly menacing way. However, she is able to de-escalate quickly upon command and a re-affirmation of “non-existent danger”.
Dakota is great with kids. She learned her place on our family's totem pole and now listens to even our youngest, seven-year-old daughter, especially when watched closely. However, sometimes Dakota does get out of line and might treat her youngest human sibling as an equal pup but that happens less and less now.
Dakota is friendly with other dogs and has occasional play-dates with her dog-neighbors.
We could not be happier with Dakota and we’re pretty sure she is in the same place. Looking forward to many more years of continued bonding and happiness! Thank you, MAGSR, for putting Dakota in our lives and hearts!
Here's a quick update on Takoda who we adopted in August 2018. We moved last year and he's really enjoying all of the hikes that he gets to go on at the new house, and having us home through the pandemic. His favorite things are belly rubs and his toy football. His least favorite things are foxes.
Hazel turns heads everywhere we go. Anyone who speaks to us says she's beautiful. You'll notice the irony of the contradiction between her name and the color of her coat: silver. Her human didn't realize how especially beautiful and unique she looked, getting too busy getting attached to the dog inside, so the name stuck and even feels perfect now. When you get to meet her, you see how beautifully complex her personality is. She's brave, energetic, fearful, playful, powerful, obedient, naughty, and so much more. She is the dog you want by your side when you are in a dark alley or taking a walk in the woods. She bolts, and comes right back with a huge smile when you call her name and she trusts you. She's also the perfect house dog, with phenomenal manners and respect for everyone's space and things. No one could ask for a better forever companion.
I wanted to give an update on Luna and provide some photos from the past 3+ months. She's been doing great! I truly feel very lucky to be a dad to such a great companion. She loves her toys, especially playing tug-of-war and fetching the tennis ball (or at least, running to it. She still has to learn how to bring it back). Luna gets along great with any dog and anyone. Every time we pass someone on a walk, she tucks her ears back, wags her butt, and is eager to meet them, but gets sad when people don't say hi. Luna's met a bunch of friends in our building and plays with them at least once a week. She sleeps most of the day, and is eager to run around in the early evening - she'll get the occasional "zoomies" and sprint around the apartment a few times. And I think snow is her natural habitat, because she can't get enough of it - she's still learning how to catch the snowballs in her mouth. Overall, Luna is making herself right at home!
It’s been a little over two years since we adopted Blue (previously named Strax). He has been the sweetest dog since the day we brought him home. He is absolutely a gentle giant. He loves everyone he meets, especially children. He loves to be with us, whatever we are doing and is always by our side. Blue loves camping, golf cart rides and belly rubs. We love that he knows he’s with his forever family and in his forever home.
Jinx definitely zooms around a lot more than initially and definitely more connected to me. She's come to enjoy car rides and finally understands how stairs work. She's up at a healthy weight and is either napping or running around the house with me. She's definitely not a guard dog by any means but she's still just starting to find her voice so we'll see what the future holds! She also loves eating snow, ice, and anything crunchy so while she's very good about treats and food and being gentle with all sorts of things, she WILL steal lettuce from you, be warned haha.
We adopted Lola in March of 2020. What a pleasure she is to have️ Don’t know what we would do without her! She’s very energetic, happy, playful, loving dog! She’s very accepting of other people as long as l accept/welcome them. Once you’re in she loves you. She works very well with my reaction to people! Other than that she is a GREAT watch dog! She’s great with other dogs after the introduction! She really is AWESOME ️️
Jaycee is thriving! I have her enrolled in obedience training and she is doing well! She enjoys playing fetch with her balls and likes playing keep away more! She is fast fast! Darn stinker won't let me catch her...I gotta get sneaky if I want to steal that ball! She loves being outdoors so she can run. She has a really large backyard for that!
When we first adopted her, she was almost 15 lbs and slightly underweight. Yesterday, she was 46 lbs and she is growing fast!
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