Sammy was picked up as a stray, and like many rescue dogs, his past remains a mystery. When he arrived at the shelter, he weighed only 37 pounds—skin and bones after likely going without food for too long. Even after a month at the shelter, he was still severely underweight when he joined Coastal K9. Since arriving in early October, he has savored every meal, transforming from a frail, dull-coated dog into a vibrant, healthy boy with a shiny coat and a little extra cushion to hug. Though often mistaken for a young puppy due to his size, Sammy is closer to 5-6 years old.

From the moment he arrived, Sammy soaked up every bit of love and attention he could get, as if he had never been truly seen before. He thrives in the company of volunteers, relishing walks where he can show off his leash manners and pause to take in everything around him. When Sammy arrived at the rescue, he was pretty mouthy showing his excitement to see his new friends. He has come such a long way since, having learned to control his excitement.

Sammy also loves meeting other dogs, offering a polite nod to those he doesn’t know and an excited, full-body wiggle for his friends. Sammy's play style is rough and tumble and can be overwhelming for some dogs. While he has plenty of energy, he isn’t a nonstop, high-energy pup—he enjoys bursts of play before settling in for a well-earned rest, making him just as happy curling up beside his family as he is sprinting around the yard.

Sammy finds joy in the smallest things, whether it's a walk, a cuddle, or even jumping on and off poolside lounge chairs just for fun. He now knows love, security, and companionship, but he has yet to experience the warmth of a forever home.

Sammy had a chance to stay in a temporary foster home, only returning due to his foster mom's travel schedule. Here is what she shared about Sammy:

"Sammy is a sweetheart who just wants your love and attention! He's very smart and very eager to please. While in my care, he THRIVED on structure - breakfast in the yard, daytime in and out, and a walk in the late afternoon followed by dinner in the yard. He's "very smart - knows "sit" and "wait," which he does nicely before chowing down. All meals were followed by potty sessions without issue, as were pre-bedtime minutes in the yard.

He sleeps nicely in a crate. When invited to come up on my bed, he refused. If you let your dogs on the sofa, he LOVES to cuddle in the mornings and evenings.

He's a bit immature for his age (5-6yrs), but we all know that GSDs really don't become "adults" until around 7...so that's okay. He's a bit "mouthy" when asking for attention, but he clearly understands "no" and "uh-uh" when he's gently nudging you with his teeth. He might not be the best dog for really young kids until he gets a better handle on this.

He loves his walkies; we're currently at around 2/3 to 3/4 of a mile! He's a bit skittish about loud noises (motorcycles, gardeners, etc), dogs barking (altho he shows no aggressiveness), and groups of kids playing. He'll gently approach people if asked; and he'll greet everyone that comes to the front door.

He seems to have a "thing" about paper on the floor - cardboard boxes, magazines, mail. He likes to shred them, so those things should be kept out of reach. He won't grab them off of end-tables or chairs...just the floor.

He will sit for treats, which he loves. He loves to play with a ball, but will chew a tennis ball into oblivion within an hour. He also likes squeaky toys, but is less interested in rope toys or plastic bones.

He rides nicely in a car. Happily jumps in and has no car-sickness."

If you are interested in meeting this dog, please fill out our online application first. Contact us via email at info@coastalK9gsr.org. The minimum adoption donation ranges from $350 to $500. This amount only partially covers the cost of veterinary care, boarding fees, and other miscellaneous expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is tax deductible. Prior to placement, all dogs will be spayed or neutered, receive current vaccinations, and are usually microchipped. If not, arrangements will be made on an individual basis. Special consideration may be given to those willing to adopt older dogs or dogs with physical problems.