Its so easy to see me listed as available (Hey, Im first) and just scroll right past me because Im too old. It seems like everyone wants the new little puppies, or the handsome looking teenagers. What about me? Once upon a time I was a very handsome fella, and personally, I think Ive still got the looks. So what if Ive got a little bit of gray. Some of my friends go gray while theyre still pups. I dont quite feel like an old man, but, I guess I am. I know a lot of you are scared to get close to me, because youre afraid I will leave you too soon. My health is great and I feel just fine. Dont you want to spend years with me? I will love you more than you could ever imagine. Im a very sweet boy, who will love to follow you around the house and curl up next to you. I assure you I will melt your heart away when I look into your eyes with my loving gaze while you pet me. My foster mom says Im very well behaved with a solid (perfect) temperament, which astounds her given my history. Yeah, I bet youre curious where I came from. I lived in rural county Virginia with 21 other GSDs. Im pretty sure a lot of them were my own children. We lived in crates that were covered in our own feces a foot deep; we hardly had clean water or fresh food. I didnt let that stop me from being all that I can be. Due to the lack of food and the stress of the shelter, I am on the thin side right now. I really didnt know better, as I lived ten years in these conditions. Id never left the house, so I was unaware of what life had to offer elsewhere. One day my family and I were taken away and all thrown into the shelter. Myself, and two of the other old folks were deemed unadoptable due to our old age and aggression (WHAT?!?!), so they sent us back to the home wed always known. We were to be the only dogs in the house, but soon she starting bringing more dogs in. Off we went again, and this time a nice man with VGSR decided I was worth saving. I went to my new foster moms house which is where I currently reside. There are other dogs in the house, and we get along great. Being the old man I am, I mostly just lay around getting pet. You will love taking me on walks though, because I dont pull and how I love to be outside! Its okay if no one wants to risk loving me, because my foster mom says shell love me forever if no one else will. Boy, I sound pathetic dont I? Trust me, Im not! Im as happy as they come and I love everybody! Youd never guess I had it so rough before. 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.