Arya is a 5 month old Amish bred German shepherd that was intended to be sold in a pet store. However, caregivers noticed that she had difficulty keeping food down, and she was surrendered to our rescue as she could not be placed up for sale. We are grateful that they reached out to us, as we have dealt with this medical issue before, and were more than happy to step up and do what needed to be done for her!

Testing at our vet's office confirmed the suspicion that she had a congenital defect called a Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA), where a band of tissue that is supposed to dissolve during fetal development does not, and ends up constricting the esophagus. This stricture prevents food from traveling to the stomach like it's supposed to, and requires open heart surgery in order to correct. Thankfully, our amazing vet clinic has a doctor on staff that is well versed in this procedure, and he was able to perform this complex, expensive, but ultimately life saving surgery for our girl. Since the correction in September, Arya has been able to eat significantly better! There is some permanent damage to the esophagus, however, so she does still regurgitate on occasion. (Usually only if she eats too much or too quickly.) We feed her kibble that is small in size, and in a slow feeder bowl to help everything pass, and she does well. She may benefit from an elevated feeder as she gets larger. Otherwise, she is a normal puppy and really has NO idea that she was born with any sort of "issues." She is growing like a weed and we swear every day she's a little taller!

Arya is now healthy and happy and is microchipped, up to date on vaccines, dewormed, and on monthly flea/heartworm preventative. Her adoption fee will also include her spay, which we will have done once she's a little older. We didn't want to stress her body with 2 major surgeries too close together, so in agreement with her doctors, we elected to postpone the procedure until she was at least 6 months or older. If she is adopted prior to that, her new family will have to sign a spay contract, and agree to bring her in for her surgery at our vet's office at an arranged date.

Arya is EXTREMELY smart, (and VERY food motivated!), and is picking up training quickly. She is doing well with housetraining, is crate trained, and has already learned sit, paw and down. She is currently working on "back up," (so she doesn't crowd the door while you're trying to go in/out,) and "leave it." She is also doing well with basic good doggie manners and house manners. She walks well on lead and is calm and quiet in the car. She is a ton of fun to work with, has great focus, and really seems to enjoy learning. Puppy classes would definitely be something fun for her and her new family!

Arya is a confident, outgoing, affectionate girl that genuinely loves everyone she meets. She gives everyone kisses and "hugs," and her only flaw is that sometimes she has small urinary accidents when she's excited to see someone. (This isn't unusual with puppies, and they typically outgrow it.) She is playful, but not hyper at all. She enjoys playing with toys and romping with other dogs, but is also content to snuggle up with you on the couch and nap for hours. We really can't say enough good things about her; she is a wonderful little puppy.

Arya would be an amazing addition to just about any household. She is a pretty "easy" shepherd, and would be a great first dog or first shepherd for someone who has been considering the breed. She is wonderful with kids and people, loves other dogs, (she can be a little bratty with toys, but she's working on learning to share better!), and although she'll give them a playful chase, is friendly with cats. She will zoom after squirrels in the yard, so a forever home with a fence is preferred. She is soft and gentle with people, and doesn't display any resource guarding with humans. You can easily stick your hand in her food bowl, and take toys or treats, etc. away from her. 

Her adoption fee is $350, which includes all her vetting, as well as helps to defer some of the costs incurred by the rescue for her extensive medical care. She is currently 5 months old, weighs 25 lbs, and we guesstimate that she will be around 50 lbs. or so when fully grown.

Please click here to submit an adoption application for Arya!

If you'd like any additional information, please email us at newleashrescue@gmail.com. Thanks! 

You can also check out our Facebook page for more pics, info, and videos of Arya!  =)

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Good with Kids