My name is Izzy!

Izzy is a medium-sized black and tan GSD with unusual white speckling on her head, that is getting a second-chance on life and the opportunity to find the forever home she so deserves.

Izzy’s story did not have a happy beginning. Izzy was discovered on a construction site where she had been trapped by man-made boundaries and fencing. An obvious stray, Izzy seems to have had several previous litters of puppies, and had sought shelter under the construction equipment at the site. As a result of her living conditions and poor nutrition, Izzy was in poor physical condition when she was finally captured by a local Animal Control Office and was taken to an area shelter; she had mange, parasites, diarrhea and was quite emaciated.

At the shelter, Izzy seemed overwhelmed by her surroundings, but after a couple of months she began to come out of her shell and engage with the dedicated staff. Recognizing that this gentle GSD would greatly benefit from some specialized care and the opportunity to live in a foster home, the shelter called GSRNE to see if we could help. Upon meeting Izzy, our intake staff recognized immediately the kind and gentle spirit of this girl who had lived such a hard life. Izzy was doing so poorly in the stress of a shelter, that we were concerned she may not survive without our help. She seemed like a sweet, terrified girl with great potential, and the shelter staff confirmed that Izzy, with her deferential temperament and soulful eyes, has a way of touching each person that comes into contact with her.

GSRNE was happy to have an experienced and loving foster home where Izzy could begin her recovery and her chance at a second life. It has been an absolute delight to watch Izzy’s slow, but steady progress as she acclimates to family/home life, and to help her become a dog that can experience simple canine joys like a belly rub, a fully belly and a warm bed.

With good health care, good food, and a loving environment Izzy is coming along nicely. She has put on weight and her coat now has a gorgeous sheen. Izzy loves mealtime. Having truly known hunger, she is thrilled to receive her bowl of kibble twice a day. She especially enjoys marrow bones, which can keep her busy for hours. Izzy is thriving in her new environment and will be a wonderful addition to a household, especially for someone looking to experience the joy of helping a dog become a beloved pet.

In her foster home, Izzy has settled into a comfortable routine where she relishes consistency and structure, but also thrives off of the opportunity for new experiences. Izzy thoroughly enjoys her walks and the opportunity to take in all the scents of the neighborhood. Izzy would likely make a good hiking partner, as these outings are one of her favorite times of day. Because Izzy is still a flight risk, and gets overwhelmed with too many changes, her new home would have to be patient with her.

Izzy seems to be learning all kinds of new things in her foster home. Her life on the street apparently taught her that other dogs can be trouble, and she shows caution around unknown dogs. However, while she was initially fearful of the exuberant Aussie in her foster home, she adjusted well to living with him once she realized he wanted nothing more than to be friends. Izzy and her Aussie foster brother will now even occasionally curl up together and share a dog bed.

Izzy is also great with cats. She is very tolerant of the cat in her foster home that gets right up in her face and rubs against her. She lies quietly when the cat tries to engage her in a game of chase.

Izzy loves mealtime. Having truly known hunger, she is thrilled to receive her bowl of kibble twice a day. She especially enjoys marrow bones, which can keep her busy for hours. Izzy’s attention to food and her desire for treats will also help as she continues formal training in a new environment. Utilizing treats as an additional training tool will help Izzy understand that food is something she can anticipate not only as part of her normal feeding routine, but also a reward and a special treat.

Izzy has come a long way in the last 8 months, but she is still uncertain in new situations. When meeting new people, Izzy can be a bit reluctant and she also responds fearfully to sudden or loud noises. Izzy does very well when she is slowly introduced to new environments and stimuli. She has demonstrated that with slow introductions and repeated opportunities for success that she is willing to face most any situation head-on as long as she has her “person” to look to for guidance.

Izzy has had a very disrupted and stressful past and as result, her housebreaking is not yet 100%. This is an area where she has made significant progress, but she needs an adopter who will realize that a sudden change in environment may result in a temporary setback for Izzy.

The ideal home would be with someone who is retired or who works from home. An owner or family member who can be with Izzy most of the time, to fine-tune her housebreaking and other training, would be of great benefit. Although she is fine with children, a quiet home, or a home with a quieter pace of family-life, would likely be the best fit for Izzy.

Izzy needs adopter who has patience, who loves dog training, and someone who can help her continue on her journey to becoming a confident and valued pet. It is absolutely critical that Izzy’s adopter be a calm, confident individual who will not baby her and inadvertently reward her fearfulness. Izzy would be happy as an only dog, but would also be very well-suited to a home with a confident male canine that can show Izzy the ropes and help her understand how to read new situations.

Izzy deserves a loving home that will cherish her as a valued member of the household. She is a gentle and kind dog that will reward your commitment with a life of loyalty and devotion.