My name is Whitman!

Meet Whitman, a big-hearted German Shepherd with a gentle soul and a seriously charming personality.

At 7 years old and 90 pounds, Whitman is the kind of dog who feels like an old friend almost instantly. He is playful, loving, calm, and just the right amount of goofy. He has that wonderful mix of youthful spirit and mature wisdom that makes senior shepherds so special.

Whitman loves people. Truly loves them. Men, women, kids ages 5 and up, he has done beautifully with everyone he has met. His favorite way to show affection is leaning into you, resting his head against your leg, or politely offering his paw when he wants attention. He enjoys laying near you and will occasionally snuggle, but he is not the kind of dog who needs to be on top of you. He just wants to be close. He will happily follow his person everywhere, moving at your pace and sticking by your side like he was trained for it.

He has some endearing quirks that make him unforgettable. When he is excited to go outside or eat, he prances and bounces like a much younger dog. When he settles onto his bed, he sometimes lets out the biggest sigh that honestly sounds like a cow mooing. He is very vocal about his needs and will bark and hop around if he needs water or a potty break, making sure you never miss the memo.

Whitman is house-trained, crate-trained, and knows basic commands like sit, lay down, and leave it. He walks decently on a leash and would benefit from a little more practice, but he is respectful and manageable. He does need to be crated when left alone, as he has a mischievous streak when unsupervised and may help himself to shoes or the trash. At night, he prefers to sleep in the same room as his people and does just fine out of the crate.

He has lived peacefully with a cat and showed playful curiosity rather than aggression, though his enthusiasm may be a bit much for older cats. With other dogs, he appears selective, so a meet and greet would be important. He may also do perfectly well as an only dog.

Whitman enjoys bananas, peanut butter, stuffed toys, belly rubs, chin scratches, brushing sessions, and playing in the snow with his person. He loves being brushed, which is helpful because he is a heavy shedder. He is not a fan of loud noises or car rides, though open windows help. He does well with baths, whether at home or professionally.

Whitman has a few manageable medical needs including arthritis, allergies, and a mild heart rhythm irregularity, all of which are currently well controlled with medication. He takes daily meds like a champ, though he is adorably picky enough to sometimes chew his pill pockets and spit them out before deciding to try again.

Despite everything he has been through, Whitman has blossomed into a confident, loving dog who clearly appreciates safety and kindness. He may flinch if startled or if voices are raised, suggesting a rough past, but with calm handling he is trusting, gentle, and eager to please.

Whitman would thrive in a home with a fenced yard where he can stretch his legs, enjoy fresh air, and then come inside for long naps on his dog bed. He would do well in many family dynamics as long as children are respectful. He does not need constant attention, but he loves knowing his people are nearby.

Goofy, gentle, and intelligent, Whitman is the kind of dog who makes your house feel like home. If you are looking for a loyal companion with a young heart and an old soul, Whitman may be the one you have been waiting for


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The adoption donation for Whitman is $250.

All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, current on vaccines and on flea/tick/heartworm prevention (age appropriate).

If you would like to meet this dog, you must have an approved application on file and be willing to travel to the Youngstown/Mahoning County, Ohio area for a meet and greet. All of our dogs reside in foster homes. We do not have a physical shelter.

Applications will be reviewed/approved and each dog will be placed in the home that can best meet their individual need. If you live in a residence with a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) please make sure you check that the dog you are interested in does not violate size or breed restrictions. A successful adoption is our goal. Submitting an application does not guarantee adoption of any dog.
We require you call your established veterinarian asap to schedule a wellness visit.

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Our applications can be found by clicking on the “adoption application” link at https://apaprescue.com

Our primary form of communication is email. Please check your spam/junk folder so you don’t miss any emails!

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Adoption donation policy effective 1/1/23:

Under a year - $350 cash/check $360 PayPal/Venmo
Adult (1-9) - $250 cash/check $260 PayPal/Venmo
Senior (10+) - $200 cash/check $210 PayPal/Venmo

We apologize for the inconvenience of a service fee if you are using PayPal or Venmo. Each year we lose hundreds of dollars for their service fees, and their fees continue to rise. Every dollar matters and those lost dollars means less dogs we can fund and help. We are a 100% volunteer group that utilizes foster homes. We do not have a shelter/building. Thank you for understanding.