Want to help this rescue by making online purchases you normally make?

Visit igive.com and sign up to help the German Shepherds in our care! It costs you nothing! Every time you make a purchase at participating online merchants, a percentage of your purchase (usually 1-4%) will go to a cause of your choice. Please let us be your cause. Help our homeless German Shepherds!

Heart of Oak feeders are made from solid oak and are just beautiful. If you choose to purchase any Heart of Oak product, please type "Central IL GSD Rescue" in the "How did you find us:" box at checkout since that will allow us to receive a small commission on each product sold. We appreciate your support! Additionally, check out their dog beds, urns, and even "people furniture" — that your dog(s) will probably eventually claim anyway!

Note: It is recommended you select a feeder no taller than height of the shoulder blade of your dog minus three inches. If you wonder about what size pet bed to order for your dog, feel free to contact the nice folks at Heart of Oak via the contact information on their website. They will be more than happy to help you!

Buddy's Story

Buddy is a 2-3 year old, German Shepherd/Lab mix that has won the hearts of everyone he has met! His deep, brown eyes and sweet temperament, accompanied by the excited wag of half of his body (not just his tail) leaves it very hard not to be his instant friend.

However, Buddy hasn't had an easy life. Buddy was brought into Crawford County shelter as a stray. He has been shot at least twice by a pellet gun, leaving two sores with pellets lodged in his skin. One in the chest and one on his back. These wounds were tended to and healed nicely. His skin had a rash and he had sores on his belly. Of course, with tender care and a lot of love, these have all healed..

Unfortunately, we received bad news a few days after he arrived at our rescue.

Buddy was heartworm positive. He was in a later stage, where heart damage had already occurred. It was not hopeless though! Our vet was confident that with treatment, Buddy could recover and be able to enjoy life (spoiled and loved), but his damaged heart would require medication in the future.

With treatment, we could kill the worms and start him on a healthy path. His prognosis was good, but a special home will be required, that understands that he will need medication. And, most likely, his life will be shortened by a couple years due to the heart damage. He is a young boy though (2-3 years old) and has many good years ahead of him!

There were difficult decisions to be made, and we determined that without knowing if there would be a home that would take our sweet boy (and due to the extreme costs of his treatments and care) we would wait to see if Buddy had some angels out there willing to sponsor his treatment. Many people helped out financially with Buddy's care, so he was able to be treated.

Buddy thanks everyone for their generous donations and support that allowed him to get this much needed treatment.

Thank you again to everyone who has donated so willingly to Buddy's treatment. If you are someone who might consider adopting such a loving and active dog, we ask that you contact us at . We want Buddy to find that he has a warm and comfortable home welcoming him now that his treatment is complete.

Archive of updates on Buddy's treatment:

May 2002

A kind-hearted person has paid for half of Buddy's treatment. Additional charitable people have donated $50, $5, $80 and $25 towards the $335.20 needed for his heartworm treatment. We ask that others contribute a little bit too (even $5 or $10 dollars can make a big difference). Remember, this is the estimated cost of his basic medical treatment for the heartworm only (not the vaccines, neuter, AVID chip, worming, flea treatments, etc. that we provide our dogs.), so donations above the $335.20 for Buddy are also appreciated. To know Buddy is to love him and we love this dog! Please help him get treatment.

June 2002  

Many kind donors have provided the funds needed to treat Buddy for heartworms. His main treatment begins this coming week. We believe that Buddy has the courage and attitude to conquer the heartworms, however, we can never be certain his outcome.

Thank you again to everyone who has donated so willingly to Buddy's treatment. Now we ask only that you say a small prayer for Buddy and if you are someone who might consider adopting such a loving and active dog, we ask that you contact us at . We want Buddy to come through this treatment finding that he has a warm and comfortable home welcoming him when his treatment is complete.

July 2002

Buddy was doing well with his first treatment and had his second treatment on July 11th. He will have a final heartworm treatment early next month. He is due for a microfilaria treatment and then a re-test afterwards. If this test is negative, he'll be able to be neutered. Then he'll be ready for his new home!

August 2002

Buddy is cleared of his heartworm and ready for adoption!