Adopt a German Shepherd Dog (medium coat)

~~Hello! This handsome fellow is Tippy.  Usually, as the foster mom, I write from the persona of the foster dog when it's time to develop the dog's biography.  This time I wanted to do something different.  I'm writing to you as a foster mom who is truly, from the bottom of her heart, amazed by this wonderful pup...let me explain why.

     When animal control picked up Tippy from a rural part of the county, he had a leg injury so severe that the only option was to amputate it.  Thus, Tippy is named accordingly; he only has three legs.  We named him Tippy as a playful way to acknowledge this obstacle that he has so easily overcome.  Tippy came to us barely ten days post-surgery.  Only ten days post-surgery, and Tippy arrived a happy, friendly pup who was very easily adjusting to life without all four legs.  Today, you wouldn't know that Tippy only has three legs unless you stopped to stare at him, but it would have to be in the rare moments when he is not running around the backyard with our two female GSD mixes.  He easily keeps pace with both of our girls and lives to play.

 Now that you know there is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for this gem, let me tell you more about the basics. When Tippy was pulled from the animal shelter, he was only thought to be around four years old.  A veterinarian, however, estimated him to be around seven years old...which let me to tell you is truly astounding because Tippy acts like a pup through and through.  He is constantly toting toys around the house or enticing one of our girls to play with him.  In fact, when Tippy first came to us, we had to restrict his activity; limiting his activity was incredibly difficult because Tippy loves to play SO much.  Now he's a much happier boy because he can run with our girls as much as his sweet heart desires.

 Although he loves to play, Tippy also likes to take time to relax. If you'd let him, he would really like to crawl on the crouch with you and snuggle in the bend of your legs.  Seeing as he's only about fifty pounds, he's the perfect size for snuggling, and when he holds your gaze with those big puppy dog eyes of his, I promise that your heart will melt.  He builds strong bonds and will make the best companion.  This velcro pup follows me everywhere - when he's not playing with the girls of course.  If I'm cooking in the kitchen, he's mostly likely lying on the kitchen rug.  If I'm in the bathroom, he's there too.  Because Tippy really loves his people, he does have mild separation anxiety.  Therefore, Tippy's forever family will need to have a flexible schedule in that the masters of the home should not work overly long, extensive hours.  Though, Tippy is crate trained and benefits immensely from the boundaries that a crate provides.  As long as Tippy has a few nylabones, a stuffed kong, and as soft pillow or bed, Tippy crates very well and his anxiety is easily managed! He even sleeps in his crate at night.

 While Tippy really loves his people, he's also friendly with visitors and guests!  He does well around men and women, but he will bark when visitors arrive until he realizes that they're safe and not intruders.  While Tippy does well with our five-month-old, we would not recommend him for a home with babies or toddlers because sometimes he forgets his size and tries to sit too closely.  Tippy is obviously great with our female GSD mixes, and he also behaves well with two larger male dogs that we occasionally have over for play dates.  He'd prefer a home without cats, though, or else he'll be tempted to chase them.

 If you are looking for a loyal, friendly dog, your search is over. Despite the hurdles life has thrown in Tippy's path, he has sailed over them all and remains a happy and friendly pup who just wants a forever home of his own.  If you think you could be a match for Tippy, contact your adoption coordinator today!  Tippy is being fostered outside of Greensboro, NC.  If you do not yet have an adoption coordinator, please complete an adoption application at southeastgermanshepherdrescue.com.  You must live in NC, VA or MD to adopt.