About MAMA

All of our available animals are located at the rescue in Sebec, Maine. Once approved families are invited to schedule an appointment to come to the rescue to meet and hopefully take home their new forever best friend. MAMA was saved from a high kill shelter in Texas where dogs can often have only 3 days to be saved. MAMA has rabies, core vaccines, heartworm/tick disease tested negative for all. She is de-wormed, monthly preventatives and microchipped. At the time of rescue in the middle of April 2021,she weighed around 65.00 pounds and has an estimated date of birth of 1 April 2017. We cannot say for sure what breed she is, so we expect families to do their own research on her look and size and decide what breed you think she is and if you have the lifestyle suitable for her needs. EXPERIENCE NEEDED MAMA has definitely had a tough life before coming to the rescue. When picked up as a stray by animal control, she had been pregnant and had a difficult time with the spay surgery. She was thin and in a sad state and clearly depressed when she arrived at the rescue. However, after a couple of weeks, she started to feel better, safe, have good food, fresh water and her beautiful personality started to come out. MAMA is a very sweet, affectionate girl, but she is wary around other dogs and on initial meet, can be quite dominant and go to nip at the other dog. When told no and reassured that this behaviour is not needed, she does settle down and with reassurance of me there, has allowed dogs to meet her and her them and she has lived in both a large communal kennel and now a communal area with access to a large fenced in yard for several months. MAMA also can be protective of me and doesn't necessarily want to share me when other dogs come up, this can be worked on since once she has respect for you, she is very responsive. However, it is something to be aware of and if introducing her to new dogs, then it should be done only when she trusts and feels safe with you and in a controlled environment. MAMA was adopted out to a family back in June, however, at the meet and greet she was very 'barky' at the man. It was more of an 'I'm unsure' bark and I asked the man to step back and give her space, it is all strange, she doesn't know what is going on and she needs time. The man kept wanting to get near her and I believe this made her uneasy. After some time alone so the family could spend time with her, they called me to say all was good and they wanted to move forward with the adoption. The next morning I had an email saying that she was being protective of the lady and didn't want anything to do with anyone else. I reiterated what I had explained during the adoption process that this can be a scary thing for dogs, more so dogs that have been through a bad time and felt safe with me. They transfer there security to the next person when I am not there and this was the lady. I explained she needs time, to go slow, to let her adjust to the new home, new people, new voices, smells and everything and let her do things at her own pace. The following morning I had an email saying that she had bitten the man. I wasn't sure how this could happen since I had said to give her space and not rush her - it turns out the family was sat on the back porch and the man had peanut butter on his hand for her to lick off. He moved his leg, which startled her as she was clearly still very uncomfortable and she 'bit him'. The picture I was sent, as far as I am concerned, doesn't warrant as a bite, there was a slight red ring on the mans leg, no puncture, no indents of her teeth, clearly a startled, warning action. I asked them to bring her back as they clearly was not following my recommendations of taking it slow and giving her time and putting peanut butter on a hand to entice her to them, was a very silly and desperate thing to do. I believe MAMA would enjoy being the only dog so she can have all the well deserved love and attention to herself, however, living with another / other big dogs as long as she is allowed to 'go slow' and it is controlled introductions, I believe she will be fine. She needs a family that is not desperate to have to pet her, or for her to like them, but who understands the breed mentality and how hard it is on them to move from place to place. To give her space, time and understanding and be patient with her. She is a very loving, affectionate, deserving girl, who is a German Shepherd Dog, it is part of their trait to be protective and it is up to the families to teach her that she does not need to be protective, that they are in charge and will protect her. We are not able to say how the dogs are around cats, small children or livestock. It is up to families to take all precautions and be prepared to work on training, mutual respect and providing safe place for other animals for potential long term. All dogs will use dog doors to go out and do their business or to enjoy the cool, fresh weather.

Piscataquis County
Sebec, Maine 04481