Alumni of 2003

A special thank you goes out to Reno's sponsor: Jennifer and Ryan Lane, in honor of Reggie.
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While in rescue: Romeo was a black/tan, neutered, 6 month old German Shepherd Dog, puppy. He was handsome, sweet, and very puppy. Only families that were ready for a large and rambunctious addition to their family were asked to apply.

View the Romeo Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

UPDATE (July 2004) Romeo gets the best of everything, we love to spoil him!

A special thanks goes out to Romeo's sponsors: Terry and Janie O'Donnell
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Junior was a 10-12 month old, neutered, solid black, male, German Shepherd Dog. He was very active and sweet, loved to play, and got along with other dogs, annoyed cats a bit with his energy, but was not dangerous around them. He had been around horses, but liked to chase, so was never off lead around the horses. Junior was willing to please. His training was going well, but he needed an active home that wanted a dog they could spend time and play with. Junior was a great dog and wouldl be an outstanding dog with some direction and more training.

A special thank you goes out to Junior's sponsor: JBWC25, who loves German Shepherds as much as we do!
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Spring

While in rescue: Spring was born 7/29/03. Her and 3 others from her litter came into rescue together. Two black and tan two fawn with black masks and four very distinct personalities! The largest fawn was the pack leader. She was very intelligent and curious. She would give her future owners the greatest rewards in obedience and training. She was always looking for something to do and to lead her sisters around on adventures. The smaller fawn was a absolute doll. She was very affectionate and searched for love and approval. She stuck close to her sisters for reassurance and support. The black and tan with the tan mask was very affectionate and would come up to you to get attention. She was a cuddler and a smoocher. She wanted to be loved and let you know it. She had a very nicely balanced personality. The black and tan with the darker mask was very sweet and lovable, but a bit more secure in herself and would check things out herself. She was a good dog and would be great for someone wanting a loyal loving pet, that could entertain themselves if when their owner is busy, rather than being under foot, glued to your side for the next 16 years.

While in rescue: Summer was born July 29, 2003. Her and 3 others from her litter came into rescue together.

View the Sammie Photo Gallery for more photos!

UPDATE (February 18, 2004) Sammie's family writes, "Sammie has adapted very well to her new home. She is very independent and loves to explore which sometimes leads to trouble! She is a handful to say the least. She loves her 7yr old brother Cody and won't leave him alone. When Sammie is up, she wants Cody up to play with her. She LOVES to be outside, eat snow, and just lay around in it! Sammie is in obedience training and is doing very well."

While in rescue: Fall was born July 29, 2003. Her and 3 others from her litter came into rescue together.

UPDATE (February 18, 2004) Dottie's family writes, " She is such a joy in our lives. She has stayed very snuggly and loves kisses. Her older sister Virginia and her play for hours. They enjoy chasing the sparrows in the barn and Dottie loves to walk the horses out to pasture every morning. Dottie has become good friends with our youngest horse, Iris. She is such a happy young dog, always a smile on her face and ready to be loved at a moments notice!

While in rescue: Winter was born July 29, 2003. Her and 3 others from her litter came into rescue together.

View the Wrigley Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

UPDATE (December 15, 2003): Wrigley's family writes "Wrigley keeps Bristow [the St. Bernard] from gaining too much weight and sleeping too much, and Bristow keeps Wrigley from getting too crazy."

While in rescue: Jazz was a black/tan spayed female German Shepherd Dog that weighed about 60 pounds. She was 1-2 years old and was a very human-oriented dog (the ultimate velcro accessory to any outfit!). She loved hugs and kisses and was more interested in you than anything else. She got along well with the other dogs and is okay with cats. She had been around our child and had done well. She was a more dominant female and asserted herself when playing.

View the Giselle Photo Gallery for more photos!

Update (7-3-04): We changed her name from Jazz to Giselle. She is the sweetest thing to come into our lives. Our cat, Jazz, is still not sure about her as you can see in the picture. :) Giselle wants to be friends with the cat, but has too much energy and scares him away. She loves to be with us everywhere we go... She is such an attention hog.

While in rescue: Mischief was a black/tan, neutered male, 8-9 week old, German Shepherd Dog puppy. He was living up to his name! This little guy was very active. He needed a lot of love, obedience, and time from his new owners for training. He was sweet, but had a strong personality that would require a skilled hand throughout his life. This little sweetheart was left to fend for himself, abandoned by a lake. He was very scared when we picked him up, and thankfully came around quite well.

View the Mischief Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

UPDATE (July 30, 2004): Mischief's family writes, "Mischief is doing really good. He wants to hang with the guys after work out in the garage. Oh and he hasn't out grown his mischievous ways yet. We can't keep a collar on Mo because Mischief always seems to take it off of him!"

While in rescue: Alli was a black/red, 3-4 year old, spayed, female, German Shepherd Dog that was very friendly with puppies, small dogs, male and female dogs, and cats. She had a stoic personality and was a very cuddly people-dog, but still liked to play with other dogs. She had adopted Habibi (the puppy) as her friend and little pup to raise.

View the Alli Photo Gallery for more photos!

When Alli was spayed, there was evidence that she had several litters in her life and her maternal instinct was apparent around the other small dogs and young animals. Alli did have three lumps removed (that were discovered during her spay surgery) and they were all benign. These mammary lumps are not unusual in unspayed and bred females. This is another reason pet owners should always have their pets spayed and neutered.

Update (April 2004):She is doing great! She is so spoiled and well loved by us and all the other animals. She loves stealing Jason's socks and playing chase with our cat Tom (the instigator). She even joined my little menagerie of two cats and two Yorkies of sleeping on the bed with me while I watch television. She even has the nickname of "Cheeky Monkey" which makes her rear-end wag back and forth while she dances around in circles. I wish I could have a hundred just like her.

While in rescue:  Fancy (renamed Mattie by her new family) was a black/tan, spayed, female, German Shepherd Dog that was about 8 months old. She was an active young pup, who loved people and got along with other animals. She was a top dog which means she could share a home with certain dogs, but would definitely need to meet her future companion to make sure their personalities would be compatible. Fancy was very sweet, loved to play, and had been around horses without incident.

UPDATE (January 2004): Due to poor breeding (backyard breeding), Mattie was found to have severe hip dysphasia. Although her new family was willing to provide surgery for Mattie, the reality is that surgery and recovery for dysphasia of this degree would not be a humane decision. Mattie's family made the humane decision to euthanize. Mattie's new dad was present and held her while her vet respectfully put her to sleep. Although all our dogs are special, Mattie was very special to one of our volunteers, and she has been missed.

Those who do not practice good breeding are backyard breeding. Read our FAQ on What constitutes a good breeder?

While in rescue: Mahina (the moon), a 1 year old, male, neutered White German Shepherd didn't seem to know how to play with toys at first, but he soon found a liking for playing with tennis balls! He also loved his Nylabone! He walked well on a leash, but needed some more experience in this area. In general, he just needed to experience most things — he looked like a country fella in the big city with wide-eyed wonder at everything he saw. He was eager to play with other dogs, even when they barked at him. He didn't usually bark back, but instead didn't understand why they didn't want to play with him! He loved attention and petting, and, most of all — belly rubs!

View the Mahina Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

Update (April 2004): Mahi's family writes, "He has run of the house now. He chases the cats constantly, but when he catches them he doesn't know what to do with them..he just slobbers on them. He runs like the wind! He is so powerful and well muscled. it is something to see when he is full-out running. I am training for a marathon and Mahi is training with me, but I run much too slow for him. He loves to chase the geese into the river, but again, when he catches them he doesn't do anything. He goes to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His daycare mom says he never stops playing."

A special thanks goes out to Mahina's sponsor: George Mucher, in memory of his wife's childhood pet.
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Malea was a spayed, female, 1.5-2 year old black/red German Shepherd Dog that was sweet and gentle. She loved to sit and be petted,but would also go lay down when you were doing something. She knew basic commands such as "sit" and "down," and she was very good on a leash which was such a arm saver! She came when called and would stay close when off-lead. She obviously was somebody's dog. She loved to fetch, and if you asked her to go get her ball, she will search until she found it! She seemed to be fine around dogs and cats and didn't have any food or toy aggression. She had also been around a one and a half year old and did wonderfully with him (under a careful eye of course!) Malea was house and crate trained. She had NEVER had an accident and had the house to roam while her foster mom was at work. Really, this dog was a dream!

View the Malea Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

Update (April 2004): We can't believe we've only had Malea for 9 months! We have all grown to love her so much. Of course, she's still the faithful, loyal dog she always was ...but she is so much healthier now. She's gained 20 pounds since she was originally found and her fur has gone from being very wiry to being soo soft and gorgeous. We have so much fun playing ball and keep away with her!

While in rescue: Leiah was a 1.5 year old black/red female that was born on December 24, 2001. She was a joint rescue effort by Faery Tails Corgi Rescue of St. Louis Inc and the Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue. Leiah was found to be heartworm positive and needed to undergo treatment along with supportive care during this time. She stayed in her foster home for the months during her treatment. Thank you to everyone that sponsored Leiah so that she could receive the treatment she needed.

View the Leiah Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

Update (8-1-04): Kooper and Leiah share the top of the dog house!

A special thanks goes out to Leiah's sponsors: Rod & Susan Clement in memory of Niki 7/3/1997 - 7/2/2003, Bruce and Kim Long who spoil their German Shepherd the way every dog should should be spoiled . Peter & Penny Lundquist in memory of Sam, their gentle black Shepherd. Richard Jones, on behalf of Jonesy and IKC champion Natasha vom Dukes. Jeff Timmerman and his German Shepherd, Nikki , The Hehns family, in honor of Buddy, a fellow heartworm survivor. Korrin Malen in memory of her beloved, Shadow. Jan Miller, in memory of Cain. Terri Maxwell.Rebecca Kuk in loving memory of her beloved, Oscar. Mark Biagi and his German Shepherd, Bella. Eric Blum in honor of Freia. Jessie Arian: "To one Leiah in memory of another Leia." Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Jimmy was a sweet, male, neutered, 5 year old, large, black and tan, German Shepherd Dog and "ladies man" who LOVED to play with the female dogs. He was an independent guy and would entertain himself for hours — if he had a girlfriend, he was even happier. He warmed up to his people and was a playful spirit. He had completed a round of obedience courses, and loved to ride in any vehicle. He did pull hard when he wanted to run to the car, but was a great dog. Jimmy was very happy when he found himself adopted into a home with a beautiful German Shepherd girlfriend!

View the Jimmy Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

UPDATE (July 2003): Jimmy's new family writes, "He knocks on the patio door if he is left outside without his humans for more than 3 minutes (even howled once), and loves to play catch outside or just play inside with all his toys. No sooner have we put his stuffed toys away then he will pull them all out, one by one, of their toy boxes..."

A special thanks goes out to Jimmy's sponsors: Carolyn & Scott Wallace (fellow parrotheads) in memory of Tigger the cat. Rebecca Kuk has provided a triple sponsorship for Jimmy in loving memory of her beloved, Oscar. Don Maxon (in honor of Becky, and in memory of Samantha, his black/tan Shepherd). Also sponsoring Jimmy: Kathleen Braun.
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Habibi (meaning: beloved) was a very active, very out-going, and very bouncy spayed, female 22 week old, little White German Shepherd Dog. She loved people, ignored the cats for the most part, and just had a blast bouncing around. She walked on a leash without pulling (it was more like walking Tigger since she bounced). She would be a perfect agility dog or happy at any other active sport that someone would like to do with their pet. She aimed to please, had a sparkling personality, loved attention and anyone that would give it to her!

Update (June 2003): Her owner writes: "Habibi is doing so good. She has taken well to the horses and cat. She walks into her crate at night without fussing and waits patiently and quietly till morning. I cannot believe how smart a dog she is! We were leaving the side door to the house open to let her come in and out as she pleases, but she has grown fond of the ditch/creek next to the house and instead of being white, she is mud black most of the time! She seems to like taking baths with the hose outside which has become a daily routine before coming in. She is excellent with the kids and wants to eat the chickens [they're fenced off]. To put it plainly, she has fit right in and has become a lovely blessing to our household."

While in rescue: Holland was a sweet, fun-loving, playful 10 month old, female, spayed, German Shepherd pup that was black with tan boots. She had a squeaky toy that she loved. She didn't squeak it much, but would rather carry it around and show it off! She enjoyed playing with the other dogs and had been super-friendly to all the rescue volunteers. Her tail just couldn't stop wagging!

A special thanks goes out to Holland's sponsor: Susan Caley, in honor of RJ
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Arrow was a cute, 12 week old, neutered male German Shepherd mix. He was very outgoing and was not phased by much. He was pretty compliant and clean, but would be a very active member of his family! He had been good with the cats and dogs, but then again, they were bigger than he was!

View the Kaiser Photo Gallery!

While in rescue: Buddy was a 2-3 year old, neutered, large, black/tan, German Shepherd mix that completed his adult heartworm treatment while in our care. Click here to read Buddy's story...

View the Buddy Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

Update (May 2003): Buddy's new family writes: "Buddy is doing remarkably well. He acts like a puppy, always wanting to play! You were so right when you said that he is very happy-go-lucky. Crate training is over and Buddy has had run of the house. He has earned our trust, as he has been an angel. He has plenty of toys to play with, and of course, our other dog!"

A special thanks goes out to Buddy's sponsors: Sean Slayback. Also sponsoring Buddy: Lori Broach, in honor of her German Shepherd mix, Leia's, 2nd birthday.
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Ritz was a 1 year old, neutered, male, White German Shepherd Dog that weighed about 80 pounds. He was a sweet puppy that loved to play with other dogs and loved people.

A special thanks goes out to Ritz's sponsor: Gracie Post
Would you like to be a sponsor?

While in rescue: Angus was a cuddle-muffin and as sweet as can be. He thought he was a lap dog and wanted nothing more and to be hugged, loved-on and petted at all times, although at times he would settle for just snuggling up next to his human.

While in rescue: Duke was a very well-behaved, four year old male German Shepherd Dog. He knew all of his commands well, walked well on a leash, and was a huge fluffy teddy bear of a dog with paws the size of dinner plates.

Update (6-14-04): Duke's family writes, "Duke is doing great! Since he's been adopted we've had another baby (now almost 1 [year old])."

While in rescue: RJ was a a very lovable, one year old, little guy (60 pounds) that loved his people and to cuddle with them! He got along well with all dogs, large and small, and all personalities. He was great around cats and horses too! He had a rough beginning to his life and was ready to start over in his forever home with lots of food and love.

View the RJ Photo Gallery for more photos and updates!

Update (June 2003): His owner writes: "I just love him and am so glad to have him."

A special thanks goes out to RJ's sponsors: Susan Caley, in memory of her German/Australian Shepherd, Elvis (aka: woo woo baby). Also sponsoring RJ: Kate & Dan Muravnick
Would you like to be a sponsor?