Taz is a 6-year-old, male GSD given up to the shelter - his owner was moving to an apartment. He likes other dogs, licks my kids of all ages and is loving and affectionate. He is a big strong dog. He knows leash manners when you insist that he know them. We have had Taz in rescue since 6/2007. Poor Taz. He came to us underweight, intact, ear infections, his coat in horrible condition and sores with missing hair down all his legs and his belly. The first thing we did was address his skin. This involved antibiotics, medicated baths, and a massive food change. We changed Taz over the Wellness Fish and Sweet Potato. His sores started to heal and he put on weight. He has gained approximately 25 lbs., and he now has hair and a rich full coat. So, he clearly has food allergies. Next we had him altered. Oh my, what a horrible time he had healing from that, poor boy!!!! We had hoped that Taz's ears would heal up once the allergies and skin conditions were under control. They did somewhat, but not totally. He still appears to be in pain just when you touched his ear. We went on weeks of antibiotics and cleansers. They got better but never healed. Taz is not seeing a specialist for his ears. He has been diagnosed with pseudonomas. We are currently again on antibiotics and other medications that look like they are helping, but have not totally solved the problem yet. If we cannot solve this, then Taz will have to have his inner ear canal removed in order to stop the pain and get rid of the bacteria. Poor Taz was supposedly surrender because the owners were moving into an apartment. It seems that they could not handle his medical issues. Taz has already produced over $2,000 in bills and it looks like he will need to keep getting specialized medical care for a while yet to come. Please help us with Taz's medical bills. He deserves a better chance at a life with his ears and free of pain. Help us continue to help Taz. Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.

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