Zara German Shepherd Dog Chicago, IL

Meet Zara, the foster dog who seems to run on pure excitement. You can walk her for a mile, two miles, maybe three, and she’ll still give you that “warm-up complete… what now?” look. Her need for speed is a lifestyle!

When she relaxes, she becomes your personal weighted blanket, and when she flops onto you, she commits with her full, body weight. No gentle slide, just a heavy plop. And at night, she believes the bed belongs to her. You get whatever corner she decides to leave for you.
She wants in on everything. Laundry? Quiet supervisor. Cooking? Hopeful sous-chef. Leaving the house? She’s already waiting by the door like she has a ticket and a carry-on.

Fetch is her favorite sport, though tennis balls don’t survive her enthusiastic jaw power. Chuckit rubber balls are the true warriors here. She chases them with the focus of an athlete in training.
Inside, she moves like a silent ninja. One second she’s across the room, the next she’s perched behind you like she teleported.
She is housebroken and not destructive. Your shoes, blankets, and furniture remain the way you left them. But cute stuffed toys? She dismembers them with surgical precision

She knows sit, stay, down, and come. Heel is a work in progress, but she tries. Her excitement gets the best of her. Meeting new people can bring out her bouncy barky side, especially if someone shows up wearing a baseball hat and sunglasses. She finds that combination suspicious in a “who are you really?” sort of way.
She can occasionally have a bit of an attitude. Consistent, confident direction is a must! She pushes the boundaries especially with the vacuum
Outside, squirrels and bunnies flip her straight into chase mode. Smaller dogs often get an intense barked review too.

A fenced yard for her zoomies is a life saver. When the wild zoomies hit, being able to let her run safely is a relief!! She is amazing to watch at full speed.
She could do well with another, confident large dog. A steady canine role model may help her relax and follow good cues. And older, dog experienced, respectful kids? They capture her attention. She lights up for them like she’s found her own personal fan club. Halloween costumes didn’t seem to concern her.

Her naps are short power-ups, and then she’s ready for her next adventure. And when it’s crate time, a frozen Kong stuffed with goodies keeps her content.

Zara is in the middle of a full glow up. She’s easy to bathe, lets me dremel her nails, and her coat is looking better by the day. She’s been working out, eating her protein, and building impressive muscle!

Zara is incredibly eager to learn. Her brain runs almost as fast as her legs!!! If she doesn’t get a few mental workouts a day, she will make you question your sanity with her “I’m bored… entertain me… now?” energy. Give her puzzles, training sessions, or new tasks, and she lights up like a smart kid with a brand-new game. I think she would be great at agility and scent work.

If you want joy, the need for speed, snuggles, brain games, bed-hogging, and the fun of watching a dog grow into her best self, Zara is your girl. Apply at www.gsrescue1.org