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187 Downs Road, Sebec, Sebec
Sebec, ME 04481
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Last Updated:
2/7/2023 2:18 PM
 

MARGIE-G-AR's Web Page

German Shepherd Dog (medium coat)  : :  Female (spayed)  : :  Senior  : :  Large


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About MARGIE-G-AR

  • Status: Adopted! | View MARGIE-G-AR's Success Story!
  • Species: Dog
  • General Color: Black with Tan, Yellow or Fawn
  • Ear Type: Erect
  • Tail Type: Long
  • Current Size: 67 Pounds
  • Current Age: 15 Years 2 Months (best estimate)
  • Location: Sebec ME 04481
  • Microchipped: Yes
  • Fence Required: Yes (3 foot)
  • Declawed: No
  • Housetrained: Yes
  • Obedience Training Needed: Has Basic Training
  • Exercise Needs: Moderate
  • Grooming Needs: Moderate
  • Shedding Amount: Moderate
  • Owner Experience Needed: Breed
  • Reaction to New People: Protective

Animal Welfare organizations have been deemed as essential business, and so we are able to continue our operation.  However, we are taking the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and are following the government guidelines and implemting our own precautions.  Meet & Greets will continue to be on an appointment basis only. They will take place either in the outside enclosed area, or the large room at the end of he kennels. There is a no contact, other than with the dog in place and children will not be allowed out of their vehicles.

MARGIE-G was saved from the high kill shelter in Texas in early 2018. She was extremely emaciated and in rough condition, but she was so loving and affectionate. At the rescue she settled in great and it wasn't long before she was playing grandma to a female German Shepherds 3 week old pups.  MARGIE-G has a date of birth of 15 February 2009 and is fully vetted.

Sadly for this sweet old girl it is a case of de-ja-vue. As you will read Margie after being at the rescue for several months was adopted, however was brought back after a year for biting at someone in the yard where she was tied up. She was back at the rescue for a few months with no incidents and was adopted to another family - sadly after 3 months she was brought back for becoming protective/aggressive and biting several people over the course of the 3 months.

Margie has bad eyesight and so this could be part of the reason she is snapping out, however, like before since being back at the rescue she has greeted people and is so happy with the other dogs - she will bark, as most dogs do and especially dogs with failing sight, but it is more of an all show and will stop instantly when told no. For safety reasons we are looking for a family that is willing to take steps to ensure Margie is not put in a position where she can bite anyone - someone who is willing to muzzle train her, to put her in a crate, or other room when people come round, or keep her on a leash to enable full control and ensure she is crated when left in the house alone. As mentioned her old age, with failing eye-sight means that she might not be able to focus properly and recognise someone as her family and nip out at them so it really is important for families to take this seriously and take the time and care to put these effective yet simple steps in place.

Margie is an amazing girl who has been failed by humans on many occassions and being 11 years she is definitely counting down the years she has left on this earth. She deserves the love and security a family can give her. She is still active considering her age and issues and she is so excited when she see's me in the morning - she loves to chase and play with the other dogs.

BIO from Previous adoption!

After being here a few months, gaining weight, starting to enjoy life and enjoying playing with other dogs, she was adopted in May 2018. Unfortunately in the middle of August 2019 I received a message that Margie-G, who had been renamed Maggie, needed to be returned as she had become extremely protective of her home and her owner.

Upon talking to her owner and just by knowing Margie's personality and of course the breed it became clear that she had been allowed to become "alpha" and so with being alpha comes naturally responsibility for dogs, as with humans. They must protect their family (their pack) and they must protect their home (their territory). Aggression like this doesn't happen over night and she would have taken control gradually, with growling, hackles up, barking and such - and had this been stopped and her made clear this behaviour was not needed, nor would be tolerated, there would have been no problems and she would have accepted that she was not alpha of her humans and so no need to protect her family and home. However, it wasn't stopped and it progressed to where the owner was scared of having anyone in her home and so returned her.

Since being at the rescue Margie has shown no signs of aggression or even wanting to be alpha, she has settled back in, although is still stressed and clearly missing her family life, but she is good being amongst other dogs, although not ideal for her age. She is a very sweet, loving, affectionate girl, who when allowed to come in my bedroom, will jump up on the bed and settle into a deep sleep. She will give kisses and just enjoy getting lots of love and affection.

Margie is 10 years old and with age comes health problems, she does have severe arthiritis in her hips and knee, she is on pain medications and I have some natural supplements that I am giving her to help with the joints and general health. She had been fed Alpo with her family, however, since this is an extremely low quality food we immediately switched her over to a high quality senior diet of both dry and wet food mixed together - she seems to enjoy it. She is house trained and will let me know when she wants to go out.

Considering her hips are in such bad shape she gets around great, she does jump up on the bed and climbs stairs without hesitation, however, this is not encouraged and only done when absolutely necessary, or without me knowing.

Margie really needs a quiet home and family where she can relax and enjoy her old age. The rescue is very loud and busy with lots of dogs running and playing and having fun and it can be stressful for her. 

We are looking for someone who has experience with GSD / Working Breed dogs. They must be confident in being in control and not allowing the dog to think they need to be in control. As mentioned above, she became very protective and that needs to be not allowed anymore. She needs to be not only taught that it is not needed, nor acceptable behaviour, but precautions need to be taken, she needs to be either crated when people come round, put in a secure room, or have a leash and muzzle on - when dogs become protective there really is no leeway giving them opportunity. This will also show her that you are in charge and can see she is not needed. Having her under control any sign of growlng or negative behaviour can be corrected immediately and so she will learn quickly.

With the right family I do not think her protectiveness will be difficult to get under control, experience, and consistency is what is needed.  Then of course she has her arthritis so we are looking for a family that is financial stable to get her any treatment needed in the future and be strong enough now and over the next few years to be able to support her hips when she needs to go outside. Maybe a belly support will be needed, or even the possibility of a wheel-chair - all possible options that the family should be willing to consider and move forward on should it help her in the future.  At least annual x-rays and senior blood panels need to be done to keep on top of her health since she a senior girl and although she is a tough cookie, I would think she has a few more years at the most, but it is critical her health is monitored regularly. So a family that understands that and is willing to make her last few years the best ever and do what is needed, at whatever cost for her comfort.

She needs a high quality diet to suit her age, breed, any medical needs and of course ability and ease of eating. Home cooking would be PERFECT for her, but a high quality senior diet is needed.


I know there is a perfect family out there - she doesn't need LOTS of exercise, but she does need to get out and move her hips so that they don't seize up and be even more painful.

If anyone is interested in adopting her - think seriously about the commitment and her issues - it is easy to fall in love with a sad story and want to make it right - but please be sure you are able and 100% committed to her FOREVER. 

If you feel that you have the heart and home to give this precious soul a wonderful life, please go to our website, under the APPLICATION tab, complete, then submit the APPLICATION. Our process takes around 2-4 days, and ensuring your references are aware that we will be calling, could speed up the process. Once you have been approved, we discuss any questions in regards to the dog you are wanting to adopt, then you complete and submit the contract, make payment and then we can work out the pick up / transport arrangements.

Please do NOT submit an application if you are not looking to take home a new best friend within the next few weeks.

https://www.giveadogahome-sanantonio.org/forms/form?formid=5838


Canadian adopters need to know that customs charge 15% taxes when entering into Canada. This fee is not negotiable and is used to cover the rescue costs of pulling, vetting, health certificate, transport from Texas to Maine, monthly preventatives, supplements, food and anything else that is needed.

ALL Dogs are LOCATED AT THE RESCUE IN SEBEC, MAINE.  We post in various states along the east coast and Canada where we have had lots of successful adoptions to enable more exposure for these beautiful saved souls. Families will need to be prepared to travel to the rescue to meet and take home their new best friend. Sebec is located just outside the towns of Dover-Foxcroft and Milo (approx 8 miles) and approx 45 miles from Bangor. There are also lots of hotels, motels, pet friendly accommodations  and wonderful camp-sites for the more adventurous families and what a great way to get to know your new best friend.

More about MARGIE-G-AR

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Somewhat vocal, Does Good in the Car, Requires a yard, Leashtrained, Cratetrained, Likes to play with toys, Protective, Needs special care, Obedient, Playful, Affectionate, Eager To Please, Intelligent, Even-tempered, Gentle

Videos of MARGIE-G-AR:

Other Pictures of MARGIE-G-AR (click to see larger version):

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