ROBBIE is a gorgeous, young goofball who's been through hell -- and is now all about loving people, other dogs, and life!  He can't wait to settle down to a life of play and fun with a loving family and another playful dog!! BACKGROUNDAt Christmas 2020, Robbie laid on a highway exit in southern Missouri.  He was unable to walk and in excruciating pain.  He was also starved, every rib showed.  A good sam saw him and took him to a local vet clinic, where X-rays showed BOTH back legs were badly broken.  eIt was well beyond the small vet clinic's ability to handle -- and the vet either needed a rescue to step up or would euthanize him. We got the call and within 30 minutes hit the road to the rural vet clinic.  Our volunteers drove the 6 hour round trip to pick him up while others alerted our ortho vet that we had an emergency.  That was Friday night, and Robbie went into surgery early Tuesday morning.  At first it was assumed he'd been hit by a car.  But we don't think it was a car -- he didn't have any other injuries or even signs of contact with a car at that kind of speed and a straight-on impact.  He had been starved and mistreated for some time.  And with both back legs broken at exactly the same height and place, with no other injuries of any kind, it looked as if he'd been hit hard with something swung straight across both legs.  We'll never know for sure, but we do know he was mistreated and abandoned.  And then at just 6 months old he almost lost his life.  So started a massive, expensive 16 week effort to save both his legs.  He had a 4-hour double-leg surgery.  The vet was cautiously optimistic but warned us of the long road ahead -- with not just the complicated medical issues but also the nearly-impossible job of keeping a puppy QUIET and limiting his movement for weeks on end!  What followed was 16 weeks of creativity, sleeplessness, and hard work -- the difficult daily work of medical recovery and rehab.  We tried everything under the sun to keep him quiet for 4 months (can you imagine??).  He couldn't walk so had to be supported and prevented from using his back legs.  He had to be kept from moving around for weeks.  He had an external fixator on one leg and a cast on the other,  both of which he hated and kept trying to get off.It was a wild and exhausting ride.  And of course on top of all that, complications cropped up -- a major infection, screws working their way out had to surgically removed, he got the cast off, he cried 24/7 in his crate.  The poor foster mom's days were endless and she was literally sleepless for weeks.AND NOW?  You can't tell he had a problem with even one leg, much less both!  The endless hours of rehab and thousands of dollars saved his life.  HIS LEGS ARE DOING GREAT and continue to strengthen.  The surgeon is extremely pleased with how well he's done and said his recovery was excellent. Robbie has continued to gain strength and he runs and plays like any normal youngster. One note:  we will neuter Robbie after his growth plates close at around 18 months, so that every drop of hormones can contribute to his bone strength as his body matures.PERSONALITY Robbie is a LOVER boy!  Our little guy loves, loves, LOVES life to the max.  And people.  And other dogs.  And playing.  And new experiences.  And everything else.  He's soooo in love with life and makes the most of every day with his happy smile and wagging tail.  He's happy when he wakes up and happy when he closes his eyes.  He's known hell, starvation, filth, and pain beyond imagining, all in the first 6 months of his life -- yet he's the sweetest, goofiest, lovingest little guy you can imagine.  He adores everyone and thinks you've there to be his playmate-and-partner-in-loving-life.  He adores romping around the yard and playing, and his favorite game is keep-away.  In a word, he's working hard to make up for the puppyhood he missed and is doing all the typical puppy things -- playing-napping-chewing, playing-napping-getting-into-things, playing-napping-chillin', etc.  His furever family will guide him through this older-puppy-stage and into maturity.  Robbie's also VERY smart.  The minute he was medically cleared to get some exercise and allowed  in the yard off leash, he understood exactly when he was being called to go in -- and promptly ran out of range because he wasn't ready yet.  He led his foster mom on merry chases around the yard, a big game to him.  He's wicked smart and picks up on things with lightening speed.  He's already learned some commands and is learning more.  Just remember he's a puppy and still has to be reminded frequently.PEOPLEHe ADORES people and doesn't know what a stranger is!  We don't know what he'd do if someone broke in -- whether he'd lick them to death or bark at them.  That will likely be determined by the training his new family gives him!    KIDS: we haven't had him around small kids yet and that would have to be tested, but we believe his only issue will be his rambunctious puppy energy and the possibility that -- like any large, energetic dog -- he could knock a small child over in play.  Likek any rambunctious puppy, he should be supervised around kids until he's mature and more disciplined in his manners.OTHER ANIMALSHe ADORES playing with other dogs and MUST HAVE A HOME WITH ANOTHER PLAYFUL DOG of roughly his own size and play energy.   At first he was afraid of other dogs and barked ferociously at them. But as he slowly recuperated. he mostly wanted to play.  He just wasn't sure how and 'bounced' off the other dog's attitude (nice for nice, snarky for snarky, etc).  It was clear he'd never been around other dogs and was trying to figure it all out.  Once he was medically cleared to run and play, he began to play with his foster siblings and showed submissive tendencies.  He plopped down on his back under the other dog sometimes, and accepted correction from others in the foster pack.  He backed right off when a female GSD corrected him -- though being a puppy he came right back and started bugging her to play again.  He's now been professionally trained, spending the last month of so at a board-and-train facility where he had a ball with the other dogs.  He went into playgroups immediately on arriving and absolutely adored it.  He showed the same submissive behaviors, plopping down underneath other dogs and rolling on his back.  We have not seen him around small dogs or cats, and that would have to be tested.  He does like to chase squirrels and other small critters.  With additional time and consistent leadership, he can be trained to "leave it" in order to curb the temptation to chase small critters.TRAININGAs mentioned, he's now been professionally trained, and his new family will get 1 full year of support from the trainers -- all free with his adoption (a $2,500 value)!  As noted above, Robbie loved his time at the training facility, playing and romping many times a day with lots of other dogs. Robbie's training actually started as soon as he was [hysically well enough.  He'd never been socialized or taught anything, and he had no manners around other dogs.  His dedicated foster mom started teaching him many of the fundamentals and exposing him gradually to the other dogs, which prepared him to really thrive at the professional training facility.  The training staff absolutely loved him and say he'll be a fantastic dog for some lucky family.  HEALTHRobbie is in excellent health now!  His back legs have healed nicely and will continue to strengthen until his growth plates close at 18 months old.  He's up to date on shots and monthly preventives.  We will neuter Robbie AFTER his growth plates close at approximately 18 months.  The purpose is to ensure the greatest possible strength in his legs during the growth period.  He runs and plays like any normal dog.  We do recommend one thing: for the next 6 months he not be allowed to do crazy-energy stunts like jumping off high ledges or high in the air, to avoid extraordinary stress on his legs while his body finishes maturing.   It's just a matter of avoiding unusual stress on his legs until his growth plates close completely. OVERALLRobbie is a once-in-a-lifetime dog -- a true star! ★☆★☆★☆★  He's sweet, super loving, makes you smile at his zest for life and giggle at his antics, adores humans despite the cruelty, loves to play with other dogs.  He wakes up with a grin and a "today's-the-best-day-ever" attitude.  He will literally light up your life! He's still a puppy and needs continued, consistent structure and leadership to mature into the fabulous adult he can be.  ARE YOU THE LUCKY SOMEONE WHO GETS TO ADD ROBBIE TO YOUR FAMILY? 
If you're looking for a VERY special, fun-loving goofball -- one who's been through hell and still adores everyone -- and want a loving buddy-for-life, 
ROBBIE's your guy! 
ROBBIE'S ADOPTION FEE:   $400This fee covers only part of what we spend to vet, board and rehab the dogs we save. On average we spend over $550 on each dog. We made a decision to keep our adoption fee at the 2005 level even though vet prices have 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 ROBBIE? Complete an Adoption Application Now!PLEASE READ THIS:

We're picky about our adopters.  
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.   
Will the dog be an inside family pet? We do not adopt to outdoor-only homes. All dogs must be indoor dogs.
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!!
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? 
Will you make a lifetime commitment?  It's your responsibility to keep your dog safe, loved and cared for FOR LIFE.
 Do you understand we expect you to keep that lifetime commitment?  It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to stick by your family member -- no matter what. 
Are you unable or unwilling to make a lifetime commitment? Do not apply.


 





Have Questions? Email us at mogsrescue@gmail.com




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