Armani (also known as Sissy Pants, Puppy, Poppy, Gremlin, Bad Bunny, and SBP) got her name because HUGS took her on knowing of her mega-E diagnosis, and much like her designer namesake, we knew she was going to be expensive!
Armani was surrendered to rescue at only 11 weeks old - the backyard breeder tried to bait and switch the buyers with Armani over the puppy they had already chosen, and when that didn't work, gave Armani to them for free. The buyers immediately realized something was wrong, and Armani was diagnosed with Mega-E two days after they got her. When they contacted the breeder and were told Armani would be put down if they returned her, thankfully they found us.
Even by Shepherd standards, Armani is smart. Her first Bailey chair was built the same day she was rescued, and by her third meal in it, she had started jumping on her chair when she saw her foster mama making her food!
The first few days with Armani, she was fairly low energy and restrained, likely from lack of nutrition. She began perking up quickly, and is definitely the life of the party now, acting every bit a 'normal' puppy! Shoes and socks were not safe around Puppy for months, but she has recently discovered how tasty kitchen towels can be! Armani is very much a typical puppy - full of energy, always ready to play (even after a 4 mile hike!!), and wildly curious about the world around her.
Armani has excelled at training, knowing sit, stay, how to get into her chair at mealtime, and great leash manners for her age. She's been well socialized thanks to her foster brother and two foster sisters, and has learned how to read and respect other dog personalities, everything from grumpy old man dog to crazy zoomie wrestling sister dogs.
Regarding her Mega-E diagnosis: while Armani has congenital, generalized Mega-E, meaning she's not a surgical candidate, her condition is well managed without medication and only needing 15 minutes of upright time after meals. She has earned the nickname 'Diva' from her backup fosters who watch her when Mom travels because her food and feeding preferences change with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes she eats her entire meal from her bowl, sometimes she demands to be spoon or handfed (extra fun when feeding her special recipe mush!) Similarly, she normally gets a 'mush' recipe, but at times will refuse, wanting canned salmon, raw meatballs, or straight dry kibble. She does not tolerate water well, so she gets gelatinized chicken broth cubes.
Armani is very much a pack dog - she first left her mom with her littermate, and has since grown up with a pack of three GSDs. She's far more timid when she goes somewhere alone, but will gain confidence if adopted as an only dog to someone who puts in the training time. She is incredibly bonded to her humans - if foster mom is working from home, she will happily spend the whole day perched on the arm of the couch next to mom's desk dropping toys on mom and breathing in mom's ear.
Like any of our dogs, this sweet, gorgeous girl would make a great addition to an active home that will provide the love, structure, good leadership, activity and mental stimulation that this breed needs. Because of that, Armani ideal owner will have prior GSD or other 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. 
