My name is Duke. I'm six years old, but my foster mom says when she's done with me I'll be six years young! I'm still a little sad and confused about all the changes that have happened to me in the past few weeks, but my foster family is real nice and giving me lots of love. You see, I lived with my elderly human mom and dad all my life. They loved Princess, the cat, and me and took real good care of us. My dad was killed in a car accident and my mom had to be moved to a nursing home because he helped care for her. Their children were so nice to me and moved me to the vet's office. You see, as much as it broke their hearts, none of them were able to take me to their homes. Princess went, but I had to stay at the vet's office. I was there for three weeks trying to find a new home, and then VGSR stepped in. So here I am. I love the kids, cats and even sniff the ferrets through their cage. I traveled to my foster mom's house in a small car with two other female GSDs that I didn't know, and we got along fine. My foster mom plans to introduce me to her pack, but wants to work with me more about sharing my toys. Right now, maybe it's because I'm so confused, I'm too protective about things I think are mine socks, toys, etc. I don't even want my humans to touch them. For that reason, even though I like children, my foster mom wants me in an adult home only, and obedience training will be an absolute must with a signed agreement. I'm a bit overweight and on a diet and have started taking joint supplements, along with my Rimadyl. My foster mom says whoever adopts me needs to keep up with my diet, exercise and joint supplements. My human mom's children had a thyroid panel done on me, just to ensure that my weight was from a sedentary lifestyle. I'm very mellow, and I even smile when you scratch my chest. I pull a bit on the leash, but my foster mom thinks that it is just because I'm lost right now and not sure about what I should do. I really need a forever family again to mend my broken heart. 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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