BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue, Rochester, NY

BrightStar Females

Last update 8/17/2008

For Other BrightStar Breeds, visit here
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To view "Shelter Dogs", visit here

The girls below are in foster homes . They have been evaluated by BrightStar and we know quite a bit about them. If you interested in a dog, visit our How to Adopt section and feel free to contact the dog's foster parents to find out more about the dog.

Aspen
Adopted!
(Buffalo Area)

(Last Update 08-14-08)

Hi - my name is Aspen. I am a 75 lb. silver and black German Shepherd Dog and the vet thinks I'm about 7-9 years old. Don't let my age fool you, though, I am still playful and fun. I'm low-energy in the house, but outside I like to play fetch, swim, play in the snow and run.

I have such good house manners and I always tell my family when I need to go out for potty. They are helping me learn that the crate is an okay place to be. As long as I have things to keep me busy in there I do pretty well. I'm a good girl on my walks, too. I love to be outside and see and smell the world. I am very interested in the little critters I see, so I need to have a fence in the backyard to keep me safe. Also, they tell me I have something called a high prey drive so I definitely need a home without cats!

A little while ago I went to the vet and they told me I have something called hip dysplasia. No wonder my back end hurt! But, with a daily medicine and supplement, I'm good to go. My foster mom says I need to take it every day and go to the vet for check ups. I don't like to go up or down more than three or four stairs, so I'd love to go to a home where I could stay on the first floor.

I can get along with other dogs, but if I can't be an only pet, I need a mellow dog who won't get in my face or be rambunctious. You see, I don't want anyone jumping on me or bugging me to play all the time. I live with two kids that are older and I think that's just fine, but I don't want to have little kids poking me or bugging me a lot.

My foster mom says I am so sweet and loyal. I like to tell her about my day and keep the house safe. What a good watchdog I am! I can do sit, shake, down, stay, leave it and I'd love to learn more obedience. I want to please so much and I love doing things with the people around me. Please take me home and let me be a part of your life forever. I will share my big heart with you and make you so happy!

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

paid for by BrightStar German Shepherd Dog Rescue. For more information on pet insurance please visit us online at http://www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-PETS.

For more information on Aspen, please contact Nancy at: nbabb1@gmail.com

Gizmo
Available for Adoption
(Buffalo Area)

(Last Update 08-04-08)

Introducing Gizmo! She's a medium sized German Sheperd Dog mix, about 2 yrs old, very sweet & petite girl. She was found as a stray & looks to have had at least one litter of puppies. Gizmo, her face reminded us of the movie Gremlins, is a loving dog, always looking for attention. She gets along great with my 4yr old & is always close by ready to sniff & kiss at every opportunity. She's good with other dogs, once dominance is established; she likes to be in be the one to try to test the other dog's personality. She barks when she hears any type of noise until she is accustomed to hearing the same noises.

Gizmo sleeps in our bedroom with us & allowed to roam the house when we are home. She loves to go on car rides & loves to meet new people. She has shown no food or toy aggression & I put her to the test continuously.

Do you think you could find it in your heart & home to give Gizmo a new life with a family that would cherish her?

Gizmo is up-to-date on all her shots, spayed, & heart worm negative. She is also crate trained & house trained. I would recommend that she be crated during the hours of work in a Vari Kennel as she can be mischievous when not watched.

05/27/08 Update: Gizmo continues to flourish with our family. She's been great with all little children that she's come into contact with, licking them & wagging her tail.

Gizmo has a favorite squeak toy, a blue octopus that she continuously bites to make noise, which she willing gives up to my daughter.

She has no food aggression at all & usually lies down to eat, with the food bowl between her front legs. She's still learning to walk on a leash but is getting better with the prong. She seems to be interested in puppies but does show some 'toughness' when meeting other larger dogs. a lot of that is just 'dog talk', as we call it. once it's been established who's who, she's fine.

Gizmo would do very well with a family that has children. She has high energy & has escaped our 4 1/2 foot high fence a few times when she's seen a bunny in a neighbors yard but has always come right back. She needs go to a home that has a privacy fence for the back yard, as she is able to climb a chain link fence easily & has shown a strong level of prey drive.

She is extremely smart, she knows to behave when you are home but if left to her own devices, she can get bored & find things that don't belong to her to play with.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Isa
Available for Adoption
(Buffalo Area)

(Last Update 06-10-08)

Bonni Nowicki
Cherub level Guardian Angels

Meet Isa! She is a 16 month old female German Shepherd Dog.

She is great with kids & other dogs, but no small dogs or cats for this girl.
She doesn't seem to have any fears when meeting new people or other dogs. I would prefer that Isa go to a home with larger dog(s) and no cats.

Isa just LOVES playing ball. Isa is a sweet, affectionate girl, but not clingy. You can tell that she just wants someone to love and please. Isa rides well in the car and would love to show you how smart she is. Isa would really like to show you how she can brighten your life and how much fun you will have with her! What a great companion dog.

About two months ago, Isa did Bloat. Due to that, I feed Isa her dry food soaked in water and feed her three meals a day. I limit her activity 1/2 hour before and after her meals to reduce the chance of this happening again.

"I like it here at my foster home but I can't wait to have a "fur-ever" home of my own! So if you've got a big heart, a warm bed, and want a girl to worship the ground you walk on, I'm your gal."

Isa is spayed, up to date on shots, heart worm negative and micro chipped. She is also housebroken and crate trained.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Lindsey
Adoption Pending
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-16-08)

Hi, meet Lindsey. She's a Tennessee southern bell. What a sweet loving little girl !!

She is about 5 1/2 months old and was rescued from a shelter where she and her sister spent the last two months. She is a petite girl weighing about 25 lbs.

She gets along great with everyone (our cats, dog and all people). She's just learning simple commands and house training. She's very eager to please and is a fast learner.

Lindsey loves her crate, her new bed, all her new toys and friends !!!

06/24/08 Update: Lindsey is ready for her forever home.

She is a good natured, happy go lucky kind of girl....always in a good mood. She warms up quickly to everyone and makes friends where ever she goes.

Lindsey LOVES to play with other dogs and our dog friendly cat. Lindsey is not an aggressive dog.

She has learned basic commands and listens well.

Although Lindsey loves going for our long walks, running around the yard and playing catch, she's a pretty laid back girl...once in the house, she's very content just playing with her toys or chewing on a bone. She's not a lap dog, but prefers to be by your side and in the same room with you.

She enjoys going for car rides and is GREAT in the car....she just rolls up in a little ball and rests until we get to our destination.

Lindsey is still a petite little girl, she weighs about 40 pounds and probably won't get much bigger.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Sheba
Adoption Pending
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-17-08)

This is Sheba. She is a 7-8 year old Shiloh Shepherd and is just about ready for her forever home. Her background wasn't pleasant but it does account for who she is now. A little bit about her past: Sheba was born on an exotic farm somewhere in Buffalo where she spent her first 4 years living in a cage. This may account for her small size as Shiloh's are usually taller and weigh more. This also accounts for her fears. Living in a cage doesn't give you much chance to see the world and experience all the sights and sounds that are so important. These were the most important social years of her life and she missed out on them. Sheba was then rescued by a nice lady and her family. They gave her all the love and attention she so deserved. Sheba spent 3 ½ years with this wonderful family until her mom fell ill with a terminal illness. Knowing she wouldn't out live Sheba she asked BrightStar to find her a new wonderful family. Two weeks into our program Sheba was adopted. Unfortunately, they returned her after only 4 months. We were told that Sheba was sad and depressed and just laid around all the time. Sheba had just lost the only home where she knew love for the first time in her life. Of course, she is sad. Wouldn't you be sad if your mom got sick and couldn't spend any more time with you? So now Sheba felt so lost and really needed someone special to show her love and teach her to trust again. A new foster home and a special dog is just what BrightStar ordered. In comes Cody, the 'Butthead' dog. He is over socialized, loves to play and can be very therapeutic when needed. So Sheba's days of being sad lasted exactly 24 hours. She has been to an indoor basic obedience class and did very well. After the first couple of weeks she walked thru the door without stopping and would go and visit the people who were already there. By the end of 5 weeks everyone had to stop and say goodbye to her and give her pats on the head. Since then Sheba has just blossomed. I never get out of the house without a dog and taking Sheba is no exception. She follows Cody all over the yard and even has initiated play with him. Any place I can take dogs we go. From the Tractor Supply to our local Tweeter Feeders, Sheba goes everywhere. Louise, the owner of Tweeter Feeders, always makes sure she has Sheba's favorite snack on hand, chicken strips. Sheba loves other kinds of healthy treats but when we are out in public the only treat she will take from anyone are chicken strips.

I have enrolled her in another basic obedience class but this one is an outdoor class. This should really help with her social skills as well as help build her confidence. Due to this Sheba will stay with me at least thru the month of May. I am also giving her Flower Essences in her drinking water. It is just something additional to help build her confidence and is working wonderfully.
Now let's look past her beauty and take a look at the real Sheba. She has fears. Sometimes they may seem weird but to her they are real and you need to understand how these affect her behavior. Indoors, loud noises will send her running to a room where she feels safer. For example, I have a glass cutting board. As soon as the knife hits the board the noise sends her running into another room. As long as she hears that noise she will not come out. If there is a ceiling fan and it is on Sheba is actually paralyzed with fear. It will take many days, sometimes weeks of coaxing to get her to just walk into that room again. Last night we decided to BBQ. The grill was 3 feet from the front steps and I literally had to drag her out to go potty. Then she sat in the side yard where she could se me but would not come near me. Once the grill was put away she came back into the house.

Sheba needs to be brushed regularly. She doesn't like her hips touched very much so you have to brush her sections. I'll do her side then go to her hips. When she starts to give me the look I'll go and brush her legs then go back to her hips. I just keep doing this until she is completely brushed. Chicken strips help out a lot here too. Sheba LOVES her prong collar. She becomes this animated dog who you can't get a prong on fast enough. She barks to let you know you are moving too slow. She loves to go places as long as she stays in the car. That is her safe place. If it is a place that dogs are allowed she can't stay in the car. I make her go in and gently try to work her thru her fears. I always carry chicken strips with me to help. She enjoys her walks but sometimes a person walking up to her or hearing a bunch of dogs barking makes her afraid. I constantly watch her body language. I always try to make sure Sheba is in a win-win situation. You have to understand that Sheba will never be a normal easy going dog. She has fears from the life she was forced to endure. She has come a long way and has potential but more than likely her new family will be altering their life style to accommodate her issues. Sheba doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She is the most loyal and loving dog I have ever fostered. With this in mind this is the kind of home that she would do best in. There should be another dog there. It should be a dog that is well trained but is confident and wants a companion as Sheba will follow the lead of this dog. An older couple would be ideal or possibly someone who works from home.

Sheba loves kids but if they become loud or rowdy she becomes afraid. A soft spoken voice works better for her but once in a while she does need a 'bad mommy voice' as she has a stubborn streak. Sheba lives with cats and is very respectful of them. I also dog sit in my house and she does fine with dogs coming and going.

07-01-08 Update: Sheba graduated at the top of her obedience class. She beat out eight other dogs in a down, stay position while I had to stay at least three feet from her and neither one of us could move. This class was an outdoor class and for Sheba it wasn’t always easy. Due to her lack of social skills and fears some weeks, if there was too much distraction or barking, she would sit next to me and just shake from head to toe. I slowly pet her head and then go into heeling and she would start to relax. I also increase her flower essence dosage which seemed to help her a lot.

Sheba has stared to initiate play with my dog Cody more and more. I am even getting her to play with me out in the yard. I see her tail wagging everyday. When people come to visit or drop off their dog Sheba barks then settles down. When they come into the house Sheba is going up to them to acknowledge them. This is huge for her as she was always so afraid that she wouldn’t even come near anyone. It doesn’t happen right away but once they have been in the house or just standing there talking for a few minutes Sheba will take it upon herself to go up to them.

We had to put a set of new wood steps on the front of our house. So Sheba had to listen to the hammering and sawing noises for a week. Then once they were done she wouldn’t go near them. Again, it was something new, those first time jitters. So instead of using the back deck door at night I started using the front door for all coming and goings, no matter what time of day or night. After about a week and half I didn’t have to take her collar and physically lead her up the stairs. She just followed Cody right in the door. Previously, it would take several weeks to get her acclimated to something new.

We have made great strides with fans. During the last set of 90 degree days I had to run a fan as I don’t have A/C. I increased her flower essences and turned the fan on low just during the first night. I turned it off during the day and closed up the house. I put the fan where she had to walk by it to go outside to go potty. Of course, she was afraid and nervous and just ran by it. Then she wouldn’t want to come back in the door. I would take her by the collar and act as if nothing is wrong and say “come on Sheba let’s go.” Then I started running it during the day and by the fifth day she was starting to relax a little. Then the weather broke and I didn’t need to run it all the time so I left it sitting there so she would still have to walk by it everyday. Now she bounds up the stairs and walks in the door and strolls right by it. Don’t get me wrong, she still looks at it like it has two heads but is much more accepting than she ever was. If I let her she would hide out in the basement but I firmly believe in tackling problems head on. With a lot of love, pets and chicken strips we are making baby steps but at least we are making them.

I am amazed at the strides Sheba has made in the last couple of months. I still think she will do best in a home with another dog. I no longer feel that her new family needs to have someone home with her all day. As I am not home during the day and my dog Cody is and Sheba handles that just fine. Putting her in a home with children will be evaluated as needed. Sheba loves children; it is just the screaming, crying and yelling that she is afraid of. There was a family who brought their 8 year old daughter to Sheba’s obedience class. Whenever we were sitting while the teacher was talking Sheba would inch over to the little girl to get her pets. This is not the first time she has done this behavior either. When a dog seeks out the company of children that indicates they have been exposed in a positive way and have good memories.

With Sheba’s calm demeanor she would make a wonderful therapy dog. I don’t know if I could ever get her past the initial first time jitters but it would be fun to try. If she is with me much longer I might try enrolling her in an advanced obedience class. There is more off leash work and they have to learn to sit and stay while the handler is farther away from them. I still don’t feel that Sheba will ever be your normal happy go lucky dog but with the right handler she can keep learning all about life. I have brought her this far so I know she can do it.

Sheba is spayed, up to date with her shots, micro-chipped and on heart worm preventative.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Bella
Adopted!
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-09-08)

Bella's name suits her. She truly is a beautiful female sable German Shepherd Dog. Bella will need an owner with German Shepherd experience as she has some trust issues and is only 1 year old.

Bella seems eager to please and knows her basic commands; Come, Sit, Down, Leave It and she is quite well behaved once leadership is established.

I believe that Bella will make someone a loyal, affectionate companion.

Bella is very good with my other 2 female GSD's. She is very playful and not overly aggressive. Bella is not food or dog aggressive. She is good with my cats although she would like them to play more.

Keep an eye on her, I will update her bio weekly.

05/13/08 Update: It's been a couple weeks and Bella has become a welcomed addition to our home. Bella would do best in an adult home or home with children over 13.

Bella is still doing well with the cats but she will chase them. Bella and my 6 month old female Shepherd play constantly. They share a bone and play "keep away" with their other toys. It really is fun to watch them together.

It would be best if Bella had a fenced yard so she can run. She is very comfortable here with anyone who visits. She is still nervous with strangers walking up to her in public. Her new owner will need to be aware and make sure she has her space in public.

Bella is an absolute love. She enjoys laying on the couch with me, and just loves attention and wants to be close. We are working on sitting before we go through doors. She is used to running outside whenever she wants which can be a problem without a fence.

Bella is spayed, up to date on shots, heart worm negative, micro chipped and crate trained.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Skylar
Adopted!
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-16-08)

Reintroducing Skylar:

Skylar (also known as Sky Sky) is approximately 3 years old. She is female sable German Shepherd Dog who was pulled from a local animal shelter. Skylar is a very smart, loving, beautiful girl whose foster family loves her very very much.

Skylar loves to be with her people, but she also needs the companionship of her pack. Skylar gets along very well with all her fur siblings - she in particular loves to play with her foster brother Banjo, but she is selective of her fur friends outside of her pack.

Skylar is not very fond of cats, so no cat friends for this girl. She REALLY likes children and we have seen nothing, but gentleness.

Skylar's foster family is looking for a forever home for her that has GSD experience, at least one other dog, preferably a male, and a fenced in yard with lots of room to run (she runs like a gazelle).

Skylar is spayed, up to date on shots, heartworm negative, on heartworm preventative, micro chipped and crate trained.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance paid for by BrightStar German Shepherd Dog Rescue. For more information on pet insurance please visit us online at http://www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-PETS.

For more information on Skylar, please contact Darcy and Michael at: ddrons@adelphia.net.

Shelby
Available for Adoption
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-08-08)

Meet Shelby! She is a 5 year old female German Shepherd Dog who is coming from Cortland, NY. She was an owner surrender and arrived at the shelter in rather poor condition. She was full of fleas prior to her surrender. When she arrived, there were scabs and massive hair loss on her back. She was extremely frightened - understandably so.

Shelby has adjusted as well as possible at the shelter. The workers are able to touch her now with no problem.

She gets along with other dogs and hasn't shown any signs of aggression.

Shelby is spayed, up to date on her shots, and heart worm negative. She will be micro chipped soon.

More as we get to know her better.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Unabelle
Available for Adoption
(Utica Area)

(Last Update 08-02-08)

UnaBelle (her name means "beautiful lamb") is a 9 week old German Shepherd Dog mix puppy who came in a week ago with her siblings from North Carolina. We call her Belle for short.

She is quite the little spitfire, she has a very outgoing, confident, fun, and loving personality. She runs like the wind through the house, and is not afraid to explore every nook and cranny here.

Belle is a beautiful little girl whose silly personality has brought many smiles to our face since she has been here.

08/02/08 Update: Belle is my little sweetie pie. She is sweet, loving, playful, and just the cutest little girl. When I woke up this morning, both her ears were standing up! She is outgoing but not sassy, and she loves other dogs and kids.

I feel Belle would do well in almost any home, she is so full of character and has stolen my heart.

Belle is up to date on her shots (but will be needing another soon), and will be micro chipped when she is adopted.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Ulyssa
Available for Adoption
(Utica Area)

(Last Update 08-02-08)

Ulyssa ( her name means "walker"- we chose this as she walks around and tells the others off being sassy) is a 9 week old German Shepherd Dog mix puppy puppy who came in a week ago with her siblings from North Carolina. We call her Lyssie for short.

She is a sassy girl who has alot of spunk, she is confident and curious, and very loveable. She knows how to give "the eyes" and just melt your heart, and as all her siblings are, she is also very content just to be held in your arms and given gentle petting and love.

08/02/08 Update: Lyssie is one smart girl, she has figured out how to scale the baby gates and then jump over the top. She is not afraid of anything- always exploring, and is sassy! When I tell her no, she likes to bark at me like she is telling me otherwise. She is alot of fun, a bit mischievious, and outgoing.Both her ears are now standing. She will be a great companion for an active home.

Ulyssa is up to date on her shots that she needs to this point, and will be micro chipped when she is adopted.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Sasha
Adoption Pending
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-15-08)

Please meet Sasha. She is a pure bred all white German Shepherd Dog. Even though Sasha is around 4 ½ to 5 years old, she looks like a puppy – her teeth are the whitest I have seen on an adult dog.

Sasha has only been with us for a short time and has shown us what a great girl she is. She loves to give kisses and cuddle with you.

She also rides well in the car.

More on this beautiful angel as we get to know her better.

Sasha is up to date on all her vaccinations, spayed and will be micro chipped very soon.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Zola
Under Evaluation
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-16-08)

Meet Zola! She is a 14 month old black and tan female German Shepherd Dog.

Zola is s little shy when she first meets you but warms up quickly. She is a sweetheart and a love.

She gets along with dogs as well as cats.

More as we get to know this sweet girl better.

08/14/08 Update: Zola is a very nice young dog. She is sweet and friendly to all. She has had obedience training and is very smart. She is a bit headstrong and would need an experienced owner. She has a good amount of energy and would need an owner that is willing to exercise her regularly. She still has some “puppy” in her and needs supervision in and out of the house.

She gets along well with my male gsd, but tries to dominate other females. She would do best as a single dog or with a calm male. She previously lived with cats and reportedly gets along ok with them.

She is house trained, crate trained and rides great in the car.

Zola is spayed, up to date on shots, heartworm negative and micro chipped.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Mia
Under Evaluation
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 07-30-08)

Get well soon!
Don & Drema Wilkins
Bronze level Guardian Angels

Meet Mia. She is a 4 ½ month old German Shepherd Dog mix puppy. She came to us from a high kill shelter. We saved Mia with hours left before she would have been put down by heart stick.

Several days after Mia arrived she became very ill. She was rushed to the emergency vet and was put on IV's and a special diet. She was one sick little girl for 4-5 days.

Mia is now a spunky puppy who is ready to take on the world. She plays great with other dogs but can be mouthy.

She is house broken and learning her basic commands.

More on this sweet angel as we get to know her better.

Mia is up to date on her vaccinations. She will be spayed and micro chipped soon.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Laney
Available for Adoption
(Buffalo Area)

(Last Update 08-14-08)

Meet Laney! She is a 6 year old black and tan female German Shepherd Dog.

Laney is an owner surrender. Her family had to move out of state and wasn't able to take her with them.

She gets along great with other dogs. Cats we don't know about yet.

More as we get to know her better.

Laney is spayed, up to date on shots, and heartworm negative. She will be micro chipped soon.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

Sierra
Under Evaluation
(Rochester Area)

(Last Update 08-08-08)

Meet Sierra. She is a 5 year old female German Shepherd Dog.

She is a very sweet and loving girl. Loves to please and be with her people.

Sierra needs to go to a home with another dog. She needs help with her confidence and another dog really helps her with that.

She walks well on a leash and rides very well in the car.

She gets a long great with other dogs and does well with cats as well.

Sierra is spayed, up to date on her vaccinations, heart worm negative and micro chipped.

This pet is eligible for a gift of the first month of ShelterCare pet insurance

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