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You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.
AVA ~7 years old. Good with older considerate children. Not good with dogs or cats.
GSRA adopts to residents of VA, NC, and SC only
Hi! My name is Ava (known as Gilda prior to coming into GSRA). My foster mommy keeps telling me I'm a beauty so I'm rolling with that! I am a middle-aged long haired Sheppie. I'm so chill, that even my mom is surprised! Like, super chill! I was returned to the rescue 5 years after being adopted from the rescue, due to no fault of my own.
Realize I'm looking for the ideal home, so don't take this as being biased BUT I have to tell you, I am a PERFECT companion dog. I LOVE to go out on walks, a minimum of two a day. Once the weather cools off, I wouldn't complain if my new mommy/daddy snuck in a 3rd walk! I do FABULOUS on the leash. I love to check out my surroundings, sniff and just trot along (my last mommy told this mommy that I wasn't taken out on walks very often). If you see another dog on leash coming in our vicinity, I do like to bark & pull slightly. HOWEVER, when my mommy corrects me, I respond really well. After my walks, I like to relax outside with my mom while she brushes me. She says I need to be brushed every day cause I'm hairy!
Hmmmm, what else about me? You could say I'm a people pleaser! I want to make my mommy happy. I do great in the house when left alone (no crates, please! I don't need or want one). My mommy leaves me with peanut butter in my kong when she heads out the door, which is so nice & yummy! I also like tennis balls; you might think I have golden retriever in me cause I just hang out with the ball in the mouth! I listen well, know basic commands & I like to be in the same room as my mom; I'm not quite a velcro dog (as I do respect your space) but I do like to be nearby so I can keep an eye on you. I do great on car rides. I was basically an inside dog prior and would love to get more experiences going out on more car rides, taking trips, going on hikes. Do you think you would like to be my new mommy or daddy? Come check me out and let's see if we are a mutually good fit!
UPDATE!
I've now been with my foster mom for a bit. She says I've bonded quickly to her; I'm not sure what this means. She did want me to talk about my 'dog aggression' which is how I've been categorized. That is, up until now! The general consensus is that I have not been properly socialized with other dogs. Now, understand this. I DO need to be the only pet; I have a prey drive for smaller animals. And while I'm working towards being social with other dogs, I don't want to share a home and mommy/daddy with them. If you want to be my new parent, please promise me that you will allow a trainer to work with me regarding my manners with other dogs. This will alleviate my stress when I see other dogs as well as make me the perfect dog on leash!
Ok. I'm ready to meet my potential new folks! Ready. Set. Go!
For more information on our adoptable pet list please visit: Adoptable Pet List
Please join us at our next Event(s):
Current Scheduled Events:
May 4, 2024, 8:30 am
You can fill out an adoption application online on our official website.
AVA ~7 years old. Good with older considerate children. Not good with dogs or cats.
GSRA adopts to residents of VA, NC, and SC only
Hi! My name is Ava (known as Gilda prior to coming into GSRA). My foster mommy keeps telling me I'm a beauty so I'm rolling with that! I am a middle-aged long haired Sheppie. I'm so chill, that even my mom is surprised! Like, super chill! I was returned to the rescue 5 years after being adopted from the rescue, due to no fault of my own.
Realize I'm looking for the ideal home, so don't take this as being biased BUT I have to tell you, I am a PERFECT companion dog. I LOVE to go out on walks, a minimum of two a day. Once the weather cools off, I wouldn't complain if my new mommy/daddy snuck in a 3rd walk! I do FABULOUS on the leash. I love to check out my surroundings, sniff and just trot along (my last mommy told this mommy that I wasn't taken out on walks very often). If you see another dog on leash coming in our vicinity, I do like to bark & pull slightly. HOWEVER, when my mommy corrects me, I respond really well. After my walks, I like to relax outside with my mom while she brushes me. She says I need to be brushed every day cause I'm hairy!
Hmmmm, what else about me? You could say I'm a people pleaser! I want to make my mommy happy. I do great in the house when left alone (no crates, please! I don't need or want one). My mommy leaves me with peanut butter in my kong when she heads out the door, which is so nice & yummy! I also like tennis balls; you might think I have golden retriever in me cause I just hang out with the ball in the mouth! I listen well, know basic commands & I like to be in the same room as my mom; I'm not quite a velcro dog (as I do respect your space) but I do like to be nearby so I can keep an eye on you. I do great on car rides. I was basically an inside dog prior and would love to get more experiences going out on more car rides, taking trips, going on hikes. Do you think you would like to be my new mommy or daddy? Come check me out and let's see if we are a mutually good fit!
UPDATE!
I've now been with my foster mom for a bit. She says I've bonded quickly to her; I'm not sure what this means. She did want me to talk about my 'dog aggression' which is how I've been categorized. That is, up until now! The general consensus is that I have not been properly socialized with other dogs. Now, understand this. I DO need to be the only pet; I have a prey drive for smaller animals. And while I'm working towards being social with other dogs, I don't want to share a home and mommy/daddy with them. If you want to be my new parent, please promise me that you will allow a trainer to work with me regarding my manners with other dogs. This will alleviate my stress when I see other dogs as well as make me the perfect dog on leash!
Ok. I'm ready to meet my potential new folks! Ready. Set. Go!
Once approved, we encourage applicants to visit adoption events to meet potential dogs that could be a match.
Before you fill out the application:
1). We do not adopt to individuals living outside of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
2). If the only dog you are interested in has a (CL) after their name, this is a courtesy listing and we do not handle the adoptions of courtesy listings, please contact the person directly.
Once approved, we encourage applicants to visit adoption events to meet potential dogs that could be a match.
Before you fill out the application:
1). We do not adopt to individuals living outside of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
2). If the only dog you are interested in has a (CL) after their name, this is a courtesy listing and we do not handle the adoptions of courtesy listings, please contact the person directly.
More about this rescue
Thank you for considering adopting a GSRA dog. We love that you are exploring rescuing a GSD. We firmly believe that the adoption of a dog is not one to be taken lightly. Because of this belief, our adoption process is what some would described as lengthy and can be emotional. If you are looking to take a dog home "tomorrow", unfortunately our organization is not for you.
Thank you for considering adopting a GSRA dog. We love that you are exploring rescuing a GSD. We firmly believe that the adoption of a dog is not one to be taken lightly. Because of this belief, our adoption process is what some would described as lengthy and can be emotional. If you are looking to take a dog home "tomorrow", unfortunately our organization is not for you.
