German Shepherd dogs, as well as the other herding breeds that we have in rescue, are highly active, energetic, working breeds. They require considerable vetting, exercise, socialization, training, leadership and mental stimuli in order to be well-adjusted, well-balanced, and well-mannered dogs. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings in order to work on his/her leash skills, manners, and social skills. These breeds make great additions to active families who will pamper them, but who will also work with them, as they are smart dogs who need leadership, structure, plenty of activity and mental stimulation. 

If you are new to German Shepherds (and other herding breeds), please research the breed to make sure this is the dog for you. We ask that you consider the time and financial commitment that your German Shepherd (or other herding breed) dog will require before applying for one. Please review the section on our website (www.heartlandgsrescue.org) "Is a HUGS Dog Right for You?" for additional information.

Lily is a 2 year old medium size husky mix, who weighs about 30 lbs. She is a total joy to be around and loves her foster siblings.  Lily is currently living with one cat and two other dogs. Soon after she first came to us Lily had to have knee surgery and was put on strict crate rest for several months. This was incredibly tough for Lily because she is a very active, playful, velcro dog who loves nothing more than constantly being with her people and playing with her foster siblings. Luckily, she's fully recovered and back to normal activity. She absolutely LOVES zooming around the yard, playing chase with the other household dogs, and also loves water and frolicking in her plastic baby pool!

Lily can be a little shy at first, and warms up to women a little bit faster than men. But with kindness and just a little patience, she will come around to anyone. She now loves cuddling with foster dad!  If you're looking for a dog who is extremely cuddly (once she knows you and trusts you), fun, loyal, full of personality, and smart, this adorable girl is the dog for you! She would thrive with an active family with at least one dog buddy, who will take her on their everyday adventures with them. Lily rides wonderfully in the car, loves going visiting people and places with her humans, and does great with big and small groups of other animals (dogs, cats) of all sizes. She is a fantastic, special girl, with an amazing personality. Lily would do best with pet parents who are home a lot, and where she would normally not need to be alone more than 4 hours at a time. 

Like any of our dogs, Lily would make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, good leadership, activity and mental stimulation that her breed needs. Because of that, her ideal owner will have prior herding breed experience. Even if you exercise and play with your dog daily in your fenced yard, please remember that you MUST still take your dog out on daily walks and outings, in order to provide sufficient stimulation, ward off boredom, and work on leash skills, and manners.

Lily's adoption fee is $275, all of which goes back into offseting our high-cost vetting expenses and rescuing more dogs. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, fecal, deworming, flea/tick and heartworm preventative, heartworm tested if old enough (treated if positive), and microchipped. Learn more about the adoption process and requirements, and apply at: http://heartlandgsrescue.rescuegroups.org/info/adoption.