1 yr. old German Shepard female needs new home

[winsmorefarm]

We are currently fostering a "yearling" German Shepherd female. She looks to be purebred. She was dumped (along withe some other dogs) alongside the highway in S. Cal. and caught by a gentleman.

She is very people friendly, loves kids (probably a little too energetic for smaller children), tries very hard to please and listen. Is learning obedience (sit, stay, down) as well as off-leash commands and is mostly housebroken (we haven't had an accident since the first few days after she arrived). Loves to play fetch and retrieves very nicely - will drop ball and lay down for you. Really seems to like water - will follow water hose. Very energetic, can jump mid-air about four feet and has SUPER SNIFFER nose. Possible future agility, search and rescue star?

She is learning to get along with dog-savvy cats, that it is NOT alright to bark at horses (this is a work in progress, but she tries very hard), seems to be alright with chickens, ducks (one of our ducks chases her and she tries to play with him). Goats - she intially chased because they ran away from her, but has not bothered with them since.

She does get along with our neutered male Aussie/Border mix, but unfortunately does NOT get along with our alpha female German Shepard, as she is also an alpha female.

When she first arrived with us, she was quite thin and has been putting weight on nicely, but could still use some more pounds. Her coat has shed and is very shiney now. She is not spayed as of yet, but will be in the next few weeks, along with finishing up her first set of shots.

We have been fostering her for almost two months and love her dearly. Originally we considered on keeping her, but since she and our other shepard do NOT get along at all, we need to find her another family.

[HydroPHILE]

Do you know what kind of GSD she might be? Do you think her "super sniffer" would be good for Search and Rescue? At one year old, has she had her rabies/distemper shots yet, and has she been Heartworm tested?

I am looking for a spayed female GSD for SAR, and though I am entirely too far away from you, I know of at least two other teams looking for potential SAR dogs.

[winsmorefarm]

Hello Hydro,

Meeshka looks to be purebred German Shepherd. I believe that she has a "super sniffer" because on the very first day that she came home with me, I happen to have a doggie treat in my pocket, that I apparently emptied into my nightstand drawer, along with some other things and closed the drawer (except for about one inch was left open). Meeshka was not in my bedroom when I put the treat in my drawer.

Later on that day, she happen to be in my bedroom and stuck her nose in my drawer. She was able to open it and found the treat - which I didn't realize was in there.

There have been a few other instances where she has found treats and her play toys. Now, I'm not really sure how much of a good candidate that would make her for Search and Rescue, as I'm not trained in that respect and am not sure of how to get her evaluated.

Regarding her shots, she is due to have her last set in the next few weeks and will be getting spayed as well. We were not sure (and highly doubted since she wasn't spayed) about any vaccinations that she may have had, since she had just been dumped along side the highway and had just been caught. We have absolutely no idea where she came from before being caught and the gentleman who caught her was driving home from a business trip. We put off getting her spayed and starting her shots as she was quite thin (very ribby and NO fat on her at all).

Hope this helps and if I can provide any additional information regarding Meeshka, please feel free to e-mail me directly: anney@winsmorefarm.com

We want the best possible home for her and if she truly is talented for SAR, then we would love to see her have that opportunity. We were amazed as how high she jumped and love her outgoing personality.

[charlieo]

Too bad she's on the other side of the world (figuratively speaking ) -- I lost my shepherd cross before Thanksgiving and have been looking for a new friend. PM me if you'd even consider sending her across the country.

[libgrrl]

You have a PM!

[tabula rashah]

Aw crapola- I just looked to see where you were and you're in CA- that's really far from MD! LOL!

Hope she gets a great home:)

[winsmorefarm]

I am open to adoption (geographical) areas that are not local to me currently, as a good match and good home are my main priority for her. We are planning on relocating to VA area - hopefully within the year, so at some point, we would be closer and would like to be able to visit her from time to time.

[winsmorefarm]

I've added a link to my photobucket with pics of Meeshka. She is still available and I would LOVE to have her find a good home. Thanks.

http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/winsmorefarm/Meeshka/?albumview=slideshow

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

Pretty girl! I have an adult student currently looking for an adolescent GSD. I'm going to forward your email info to her (Caroline Dennis).

[winsmorefarm]

Thanks much Melissa. I appreciate it. I will keep an eye out for her e-mail. I love Meeshka dearly and wish so much for her to have a great home.

[winsmorefarm]

Just moving this up. Meeshka is still available and looking for a new family. Thanks.

[gray17htb]

Great pics! Your not getting any more German Shep than that;) I have 2 and worship them. Just trying to help you out with a bump up:cool:

[winsmorefarm]

Thanks gray - I appreciate it. We have our house up for sale and may have an offer coming in soon. Unfortunately, I don't think that we will be able to continue fostering her at that point...

[KnKShowmom]

She is beautiful! I hope you find her a home - I had a GSD when I got out of college and he was wonderful!

[tidy rabbit]

Wow, she sounds like a really nice dog. Do you think that she might have gotten lost and that someone is looking for her? Have you had her scanned for a microchip? I would be heart broken if my GSD disappeared.

[winsmorefarm]

She was scanned - that was the first thing that my vet did. The gentleman that caught her saw her being "dumped" alongside the highway, along with several other dogs that were smaller breeds (not sure what kind) and other people were catching them - perhaps because smaller dogs are "in".

Apparently no one else was going after the "Meeshka" the only GSD that was being dumped in this group. He called the police and I'm not sure if they caught the person "dumping".

She was also VERY thin - you could just see her ribs, back bone through her fur which was dull and "raggety" looking. She came to us just a few days later (after being caught), as the gentleman and his wife have six dogs already and could not keep Meeshka. So we took her in to foster her.

Our GSD, Greta (that unfortunately Meeshka does NOT get along with) was part of a puppy "dumping", again with other breeds of dogs. The police caught this person as he was apparently trying to drown the dogs in one of the irrigation canals. She was sent to SPCA, where we adopted her - that was just over three years ago and we are very lucky to have her in our lives and family.

[tidy rabbit]

Oh, that's so sad! You're very kind to have taken her in! If I were closer I would take her.

[gray17htb]

Try your in state GSD rescue. They should be able to at least find a foster.

[winsmorefarm]

I have. The one closer to me has apparently closed down and there is another one that is not so local to me and the last time that I checked with them, they were full, since many people have given up their pets during economy crisis.

But there is hope - we may have a possible lead on a new home for Meeshka - will keep everyone posted...

[winsmorefarm]

I am still looking for an awesome home for Meeshka.

[ptownevt]

She is a gorgeous dog. Unfortunately I am on the other coast. Is there a GSD rescue that could take her and might have contacts to find her a great home?

[winsmorefarm]

I have just posted her info. on a GSD Forum that has one for rescues, so hopefully that will generate some leads. Am going to contact GSD Rescue again to see IF perhaps they have any room, as the last time that I spoke with them they did NOT.

She is such a good girl - very loving.

[spottedfiona]

You have a pm

[mommy peanut]

Too bad she is on the other side of the country!! I would scoop her up in a heartbeat!! There's nothing like a good GSD in your life :) Good luck finding her a great home!

[winsmorefarm]

Meeshka is still looking for a wonderful home.

[kari]

This makes me sad. I would take her if you were on the east coast... :(
I also don't neeeeed another dog.
Bump for this sweet girl.

[Susan P]

We can probably arrange a transport, I hate to make it from CA - NJ but with overnights she might be able to handle it if she's a good traveler.
Maybe you could arrange for a transport in this Yahoo group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pet_Transport-to_safety/ you have to join but it may be worth it and ask for suggestions.

[dressagetraks]

What a NEAT-looking dog! But in the wrong state. :sadsmile:

[winsmorefarm]

As I have stated before, I am not as concerned about the geographical location. For areas (and states) that are closer to me, there are several options. For states that are not as close (whether right or wrong), we could possibly use a commercial air carrier for transport (which would be a potenial cost).

It is most important that Meeshka goto a "qualified" GSD family (meaning, someone who has either previous GSD ownership or has good amount of experience with handling high energy canines that require good leadership) - please no "greenies" need to apply AND that the match between her and her new family is a good one. As much as I would love to keep her, it would not be fair to her, nor my other Alpha female GSD that I committed to a few years ago.

Meeshka will be best suited to be the ONLY dog, but could possibly get along with another MALE - NO FEMALES, as she is an Alpha.

There is an adoption process in place through a GSD Rescue and therefore any potential applicants will need to go through this process. This helps to ensure a good match for both Meeshka and her new family AND in the event it does not work out, then Meeshka will need to return back to me for fostering and the GSD Rescue will assist me further.

While I appreciate everyone's assistance in keeping this up towards the top by "bumping", I kindly ask that we try to keep remarks positive. Meeshka is a wonderful dog and it's unfortunate that an irresponsible person chose to dump her alongside the highway, regardless of the state.

[winsmorefarm]

bump please. Meeshka's adoption unfortunately fell through and she is looking for a wonderful new home and family.

[Firebug]

Bump.

Has Meeshka found a home?

[Windswept Stable]

She is very pretty.
Hopefully you will soon find her a great home.
We have a GS and while he has been a work in progress as a puppy/ yearling... he is a very sweet and intelligent dog. He really does want to play and when he is "naughty" - jumping up or grabbing wrists--he genuinely just wants to play. Unfortunately at 83 pounds, he is a bit too much for our Min Pin to wrestle with.. but the two of them are best buds. I constantly get reminded if I leave the tack room door open, as the brushes, hoof picks, the feeding chart etc..will be found chewed up in the middle of the yard. He keeps me on my toes.
Best wishes finding a good home for yours.

[grayfox]

Hope you find a home soon. I have 2 imported GSDs that I love. We've had a total of 7 now and they are wonderful. I would take her but we have an old alpha female and I wouldn't want to cause her any distress.

[winsmorefarm]

bump please...still looking...:)