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Meet Duke! Duke was rescued by Good Samaritan who saw a social media post from his owner threatening to shoot him if someone didn’t come get him because he had eaten one of their chickens. When they went to retrieve Duke they found him being kept in a tiny crate, emaciated, with inflamed skin and large patches of his coat missing. On intake, Duke weighed only 38lbs and was miserable from his skin infections. Now, his gorgeous, unique coat is growing back in and he weighs over 60lbs!
Duke has been in his local foster home for two months, living with a foster mom and dad, two kids, two dogs, and two cats. He’s acclimated well to home life and has excellent house manners. He’s crate trained, housetrained (not had a single accident), and has learned the joy of soft surfaces, fluffy dog beds, and toys. He seems very happy now and loves being part of a family. He’s also learned multiple basic commands: ‘wait’ when he’s being fed, ‘sit,’ ‘lay down,’ and ‘stay,’ and has been in training to improve his leash skills.
Around his family, Duke is comfortable and affectionate. He loves his foster parents, is good with the kids, and has learned how to adapt his play for his tiniest dog buddy, Gus. Gus always initiates play and likes to chase and be chased. Duke has learned to tone down his playstyle to suit his little buddy, and they have become good friends and snuggle buddies.
Once Duke knows you, he loves you. With new people, like many Shepherds, he needs a little time to trust and understand they are safe. His foster family keeps him on a leash when strangers visit to make sure he's following their lead. Like many dogs who have been isolated, Duke gets excited about new things and new people. He's a very good-natured boy who needs a leader who understands the shepherd breed to guide him and work with him. Duke learns and benefits from repeated exposure to new things.
We checked in with his foster mom, Lexi for an update:
"Duke is doing well. We took some time to fully integrate him with our dogs, giving them all the time and space to feel comfortable. Duke was good with the cats right away and has learned how to play with Gus, who is 1/4 his size. They have become such buddies. They’re an odd couple when it comes to playing but they are making it work. The kids like him too though they don’t find him as exciting as Gus does.
Duke's joys in life are food, playing with Gus and his toys, going for walks, snuggling on the couch, and, of course, a good long nap on a comfy couch or bed. His personality is very sweet, and he's a cuddler!! He loves getting attention from anyone who’s around. Duke’s energy level is medium. Although he’s no longer starved, he is always looking for food! It’s impossible to go in the kitchen without him — our little sous chef! He likes to be part of what you are doing."
********
Duke has done formal training for leash skills and basic obedience and made good strides. He's currently learning how to greet guests and stay calm in more exciting, busy situations. Good boy, Duke!â¤ï¸
This handsome, resilient boy has made a pretty remarkable transition to family life as an indoor dog and is ready to go home. We think a calm home and community and a loving family with the time to spend with this precious pup are the best fit for him.
Apply today!
BREED ESTIMATE: Shepherd Mix GENDER: Male APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 60 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 5 years old COAT TYPE: Medium coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped LOCATION: Frederick, MD
You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.
Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.
January 8, 2025, 8:09 pm
Meet Duke! Duke was rescued by Good Samaritan who saw a social media post from his owner threatening to shoot him if someone didn’t come get him because he had eaten one of their chickens. When they went to retrieve Duke they found him being kept in a tiny crate, emaciated, with inflamed skin and large patches of his coat missing. On intake, Duke weighed only 38lbs and was miserable from his skin infections. Now, his gorgeous, unique coat is growing back in and he weighs over 60lbs!
Duke has been in his local foster home for two months, living with a foster mom and dad, two kids, two dogs, and two cats. He’s acclimated well to home life and has excellent house manners. He’s crate trained, housetrained (not had a single accident), and has learned the joy of soft surfaces, fluffy dog beds, and toys. He seems very happy now and loves being part of a family. He’s also learned multiple basic commands: ‘wait’ when he’s being fed, ‘sit,’ ‘lay down,’ and ‘stay,’ and has been in training to improve his leash skills.
Around his family, Duke is comfortable and affectionate. He loves his foster parents, is good with the kids, and has learned how to adapt his play for his tiniest dog buddy, Gus. Gus always initiates play and likes to chase and be chased. Duke has learned to tone down his playstyle to suit his little buddy, and they have become good friends and snuggle buddies.
Once Duke knows you, he loves you. With new people, like many Shepherds, he needs a little time to trust and understand they are safe. His foster family keeps him on a leash when strangers visit to make sure he's following their lead. Like many dogs who have been isolated, Duke gets excited about new things and new people. He's a very good-natured boy who needs a leader who understands the shepherd breed to guide him and work with him. Duke learns and benefits from repeated exposure to new things.
We checked in with his foster mom, Lexi for an update:
"Duke is doing well. We took some time to fully integrate him with our dogs, giving them all the time and space to feel comfortable. Duke was good with the cats right away and has learned how to play with Gus, who is 1/4 his size. They have become such buddies. They’re an odd couple when it comes to playing but they are making it work. The kids like him too though they don’t find him as exciting as Gus does.
Duke's joys in life are food, playing with Gus and his toys, going for walks, snuggling on the couch, and, of course, a good long nap on a comfy couch or bed. His personality is very sweet, and he's a cuddler!! He loves getting attention from anyone who’s around. Duke’s energy level is medium. Although he’s no longer starved, he is always looking for food! It’s impossible to go in the kitchen without him — our little sous chef! He likes to be part of what you are doing."
********
Duke has done formal training for leash skills and basic obedience and made good strides. He's currently learning how to greet guests and stay calm in more exciting, busy situations. Good boy, Duke!â¤ï¸
This handsome, resilient boy has made a pretty remarkable transition to family life as an indoor dog and is ready to go home. We think a calm home and community and a loving family with the time to spend with this precious pup are the best fit for him.
Apply today!
BREED ESTIMATE: Shepherd Mix GENDER: Male APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 60 lbs APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 5 years old COAT TYPE: Medium coat ADOPTION FEE: $425 OTHER INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped LOCATION: Frederick, MD
You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.
Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.
To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application.
2.
Interview
Once your application is reviewed, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application
3.
Home Check
A volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for a dog
4.
Approve Application
After a positive veterinary reference check, phone interview, and home visit, we will approve your application
5.
Meet the Pet
Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog
6.
Sign Adoption Contract
7.
Pay Fee
Additional adoption info
Thank you for considering adoption and choosing to save a dog’s life!
Adding a dog to your family is a rewarding and life-changing experience. Dogs enrich our lives and have the amazing ability to give and receive love unconditionally. They can be your loyal companion and friend, and a watchful playmate for your kids, but they are also a serious, long-term commitment. They will depend on you for their health and well-being, and require an investment of love, time, and money for the rest of their life.
As you search for your new dog, please remember that there is no shortage of dogs who need saving. There are far more dogs waiting to be adopted than people who are willing to adopt them, so if the dog in the picture who you’ve imagined bringing home isn’t available, there are thousands more amazing, loving dogs just hoping for the chance to be your dog. We ask that you keep an open mind, stay flexible, and we will do our best to work with you to find a great match for your family.
We strongly encourage anyone thinking about adopting a dog to do your research and make sure you are prepared for the commitment. If you have thought about what’s required and are ready to adopt, here’s what you can expect when you apply to adopt a dog from Worthy Dog Rescue.
APPROVAL PROCESS
APPLY
To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application
REFERENCES
If applicable, we check vet references to ensure that your pets have been kept current on care, and a copy of your lease to ensure that adopting doesn't violate your rental agreement
INTERVIEW
Once your application is submitted and reviewed, and your vet provides a positive reference, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application
HOME VISIT
A Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for one of our dogs
APPROVAL
Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog. If not, we will work with you to find another dog who will suit your family.
TIMING
The approval process can take a week or two depending on your availability and our volunteers’ schedules. The rescue is run by a team of volunteers from your community who love dogs. We are just regular people with jobs, kids, and lives whose time is as limited as yours. That means that during periods of high activity or seasonal vacations the process may take a little longer.
THE DOG YOU APPLY FOR IS NOT GUARANTEED
Worthy Dog Rescue cannot guarantee that the dog you apply for will be available once you have been approved. We do our best to work with adopters and meet your needs, but we do not adopt dogs on a first-come, first-serve basis. All applications are screened to determine the most suitable match for the dog and the adopter. We want to place dogs in good homes as quickly as possible, so the dog can start their new life with their family, and we can free up their foster home to save another dog in need.
We understand how easy it is to become attached to a dog you’ve found online, but sometimes the dog you apply for may already be scheduled to meet another adopter, or it may not be the best fit for your home for a variety of behavioral reasons. Our dogs are fostered by one of our volunteers, living in their home as part of their family. This allows us to get to know the dog, what they need, their level of socialization, and the type of home that will best suit them.
Our goal is to place dogs in loving, responsible, and committed permanent homes. We take great care in finding good matches for our dogs and adopters too. We look forward to working with you to find the dog that will be with you and your family for many years to come.
ADOPTION POLICIES
Must be at least 23
All applicants who live in a rental property must provide contact information for their landlord, and have approval from the landlord to have a pet at the residence listed on the adoption application
Applicants must allow Worthy Dog Rescue to conduct a home visit to confirm that your home will be a good environment for a new dog
All animals in the applicant’s household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccines before consideration
All adults living in the home must meet the dog and be in agreement about adoption
Applicants must be willing to keep their new dog and current family pets as indoor pets
All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed for the dog including, but not limited to, yearly medical checkups, vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication
Dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog
A fenced yard is ideal for dogs, but is NOT a requirement for adoption unless specified
Because young puppies require intensive training and care, we cannot place puppies younger than five months of age in a home where someone is consistently absent from the home for long periods of time
In the event an adoption does not work out, applicants must agree to return the dog to Worthy Dog Rescue rather than rehoming the dog themselves
Thank you for considering adoption and choosing to save a dog’s life!
Adding a dog to your family is a rewarding and life-changing experience. Dogs enrich our lives and have the amazing ability to give and receive love unconditionally. They can be your loyal companion and friend, and a watchful playmate for your kids, but they are also a serious, long-term commitment. They will depend on you for their health and well-being, and require an investment of love, time, and money for the rest of their life.
As you search for your new dog, please remember that there is no shortage of dogs who need saving. There are far more dogs waiting to be adopted than people who are willing to adopt them, so if the dog in the picture who you’ve imagined bringing home isn’t available, there are thousands more amazing, loving dogs just hoping for the chance to be your dog. We ask that you keep an open mind, stay flexible, and we will do our best to work with you to find a great match for your family.
We strongly encourage anyone thinking about adopting a dog to do your research and make sure you are prepared for the commitment. If you have thought about what’s required and are ready to adopt, here’s what you can expect when you apply to adopt a dog from Worthy Dog Rescue.
APPROVAL PROCESS
APPLY
To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application
REFERENCES
If applicable, we check vet references to ensure that your pets have been kept current on care, and a copy of your lease to ensure that adopting doesn't violate your rental agreement
INTERVIEW
Once your application is submitted and reviewed, and your vet provides a positive reference, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application
HOME VISIT
A Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for one of our dogs
APPROVAL
Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog. If not, we will work with you to find another dog who will suit your family.
TIMING
The approval process can take a week or two depending on your availability and our volunteers’ schedules. The rescue is run by a team of volunteers from your community who love dogs. We are just regular people with jobs, kids, and lives whose time is as limited as yours. That means that during periods of high activity or seasonal vacations the process may take a little longer.
THE DOG YOU APPLY FOR IS NOT GUARANTEED
Worthy Dog Rescue cannot guarantee that the dog you apply for will be available once you have been approved. We do our best to work with adopters and meet your needs, but we do not adopt dogs on a first-come, first-serve basis. All applications are screened to determine the most suitable match for the dog and the adopter. We want to place dogs in good homes as quickly as possible, so the dog can start their new life with their family, and we can free up their foster home to save another dog in need.
We understand how easy it is to become attached to a dog you’ve found online, but sometimes the dog you apply for may already be scheduled to meet another adopter, or it may not be the best fit for your home for a variety of behavioral reasons. Our dogs are fostered by one of our volunteers, living in their home as part of their family. This allows us to get to know the dog, what they need, their level of socialization, and the type of home that will best suit them.
Our goal is to place dogs in loving, responsible, and committed permanent homes. We take great care in finding good matches for our dogs and adopters too. We look forward to working with you to find the dog that will be with you and your family for many years to come.
ADOPTION POLICIES
Must be at least 23
All applicants who live in a rental property must provide contact information for their landlord, and have approval from the landlord to have a pet at the residence listed on the adoption application
Applicants must allow Worthy Dog Rescue to conduct a home visit to confirm that your home will be a good environment for a new dog
All animals in the applicant’s household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccines before consideration
All adults living in the home must meet the dog and be in agreement about adoption
Applicants must be willing to keep their new dog and current family pets as indoor pets
All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed for the dog including, but not limited to, yearly medical checkups, vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication
Dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog
A fenced yard is ideal for dogs, but is NOT a requirement for adoption unless specified
Because young puppies require intensive training and care, we cannot place puppies younger than five months of age in a home where someone is consistently absent from the home for long periods of time
In the event an adoption does not work out, applicants must agree to return the dog to Worthy Dog Rescue rather than rehoming the dog themselves
Worthy Dog Rescue believes that public adoption events are unnecessarily stressful for the dogs and the foster families who care for them, and that our structured, personalized adoption process leads to a more consistently positive outcome for both the dog and the adopter.
Worthy Dog Rescue believes that public adoption events are unnecessarily stressful for the dogs and the foster families who care for them, and that our structured, personalized adoption process leads to a more consistently positive outcome for both the dog and the adopter.
More about this rescue
Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in distress, especially those living on chains, in pens, or in neglectful and abusive situations. Our mission is to provide a better life for dogs, while working to address the root problems of animal overpopulation and improve animal welfare. We do this through community outreach and by supporting and educating dog owners in underserved communities, by sponsoring spay and neuter programs, and by rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need.
Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in distress, especially those living on chains, in pens, or in neglectful and abusive situations. Our mission is to provide a better life for dogs, while working to address the root problems of animal overpopulation and improve animal welfare. We do this through community outreach and by supporting and educating dog owners in underserved communities, by sponsoring spay and neuter programs, and by rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need.
Other pets at this
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We'll also keep you updated on Tommy's adoption status with email updates.
