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at www.CafeShops.com!

Sammie's Meal Time Bib
now available!

Elizabeth Riddle, our rescue president, outside of her full-time job and continuing educational pursuits, is an animal behaviorist and an obedience instructor, with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Illinois with a specialty in Ethology (the study of animal behavior). She officially founded this rescue in November of 1997 while attending the University of Illinois. Learn more about this rescue...

Sponsor a dog at our rescue in honor of your own German Shepherd Dog or German Shepherd mix that you currently have as a member of your family.

All donations will go directly to the care of all the German Shepherds at this rescue.

Please visit our Sponsor a Dog page to find out how to have your German Shepherd or German Shepherd mix honored on this page.

Friea

I rescued Freia, a beautiful Long Haired German Shepherd female, from an owner that gained custody of her through a divorce settlement and then proceeded to leave her out on a chain for the following few years. During this time, poor Freia apparently became heartworm positive. After the woman remarried, my understanding is that the new husband didn't want the dog, so Freia was headed for the pound. I jumped in before this could happen and have had a wonderful friend and companion for the 2 years since. Freia has incredible temperament, and I just love her! Freia is now 9 and a half years old and, just this winter, she started to have problems walking and getting up. After x-rays were done, the vet found that Freia had 3 bullet fragments in her hind quarters. She had also apparently been beaten so badly that her last three vertebrae had fused into one solid piece. My vet, who is excellent, says there is nothing we can do, short of pain medication. I bring Freia everywhere with me. I'm lucky enough to be the boss and I bring my dog to the office with me everyday. Freia greets everyone and all my employees love her. Since there is nothing we can do about her hip, I don't foresee having her too much longer. She is getting to the point where she can barely walk, but she still is young at heart. Freia is my first dog, and I guess she's spoiled me because she is just incredible! — Eric from Michigan

Leia

Leia is a German Shepherd and Doberman Pinscher mix that stole our hearts when we first met her at a nearby shelter. She is a wonderful dog who likes to play outside, chew bones and toys, and snuggle. She is the sweetest dog we have ever met and is a blessing to our family! Instead of buying Leia birthday presents, we decided to sponsor a dog in honor of Leia's 2nd birthday (Leia is already spoiled with plenty of toys and bones!). Although, we did bake her a nice doggie cake, which she kindly shared with our other two dogs. — Lori, from Illinois

Nakita and Kobi

These are my two beautiful Shepherds, Nakita (left)and Kobi (right). Kobi is my protective, stubborn, and kind of snotty, male (but warm in his own way). We have had Kobi ever since he was 7 weeks old and just a baby. Kobi is a great dog, and I know he would lay down his life for us. We love him very much! Nakita is another story. She came to us in September of 2002 and we are her 4th (and permanent) home. She is a great escape artist and has jumped our gate several times. There's something in her past that makes her do this. She's very sweet, affectionate and playful. I hope in time she will learn to trust us as we WILL take the time with her so she will trust again. We love her! I'm glad the Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue exists. I think you are doing a great service for this special breed!! — Aileen, from Illinois

Josh

Our sweet teddy bear Josh, pictured far right, is one of the two reason Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue exists today. Both of our Shepherds come from homeless situations. Sadie, pictured on the left,is the other reason for our commitment to rescue. Sadie had been severely neglected, poorly bred, and required a lot of rehabilitation. Josh became her big brother a few months after she came to us and helped Sadie come out of her shell and find happiness. Josh is a beautiful, well-adjusted, well-loved dog that simply needed more room and a more active lifestyle than he had before he came to me to be happy. I brought him home and have enjoyed him ever since. When I was single, I never lost a night' sleep with him at the base of my bed, and as a family dog, he he been wonderful. He is my inspiration that everyone should be blessed with such a great dog and the reason why our house will never be without a German Shepherd. — Elizabeth, Central Illinois German Shepherd Dog Rescue