Forrest’s Journey is fearless; he faces many challenges. Your support will help him live the life he deserves. Watch this page for updates.

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Help GSGSR Help Forrest the Puppy

Garden State German Shepherd Rescue (GSGSR) recently received a call from a woman needing help rehoming her female German Shepherd and a puppy that she could not find a home for. She explained that the puppy, now named Forrest, was dragging his back legs and was advised to take the puppy to a neurologist. Sadly, she couldn’t afford the care he needed.

GSGSR immediately stepped in. We placed the mother, Cali, into foster care and brought Forrest to the specialists at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital the very next day.

An MRI revealed that Forrest has a congenital deformity in his spine—a serious condition that requires ongoing neurological care and monitoring. He’s just 9 weeks old and has already endured far more than any puppy should.

When we first met Forrest, he was:

  • Dragging his back legs

  • Covered in painful open sores

  • Infested with parasites

But even through all of this, Forrest's spirit shines. The neurologist called him a fighter, and we couldn’t agree more. Today, Forest finally knows what it feels like to be safe, loved, and cared for.

Now we need your help to continue giving Forrest the life he deserves.

How You Can Help:

  • Donate to support Forrest’s ongoing veterinary care

  • Share his story to spread awareness

  • Help us give this brave little soul a future full of love, mobility, and happiness

Forest has shown us what courage looks like—and with your help, his journey is just beginning.

Thank you, to the selfless volunteers that came to his aid and are now teaching him to walk and thank you all for being part of our GSGSR community.

GSGSR is 100% volunteer based. All donations go to the care of the dogs.

Note that, Cali, Forrest's mom, will be spayed in a few months once her milk production ceases. Your donations will also help, Forrest's mom, Cali lives a great life with one of our adopters.

Sincerely,
GSGSR (Garden State German Shepherd Rescue)

UPDATES on Forrest’s progress and adventures are posted below.

Look at Forrest Walk

Thank you to the two dedicated foster families that have raised Forrest and take him to all his many doctor appointments he is now walking and gaining strength every day. Please consider helping with his medical bills and other necessities by donating. www.gsgsr.org/donate

Forrest’s latest news and Photos thank you to his friends at WoofHouse Studio

I hope you enjoy my latest photo shoot—my friend Nadia @ Woofhouse Studio loves showing me off and helping me find my forever home. I’m growing into a handsome boy and getting stronger every day!

I love being around people of all ages, and I get along great with other dogs and even cats. I absolutely adore my foster families, but I’m ready to find my forever family—one that will continue helping me grow stronger so I won’t have to rely on my wheelchair all the time.

My foster families have done an amazing job socializing me. I can go just about anywhere! I especially love trips to the park, walks at the mall when the weather isn’t great, and meeting new people and pups.

While I wait for my forever home, it would really help if someone could split fostering time with my current foster families. If that’s you, please fill out a foster application at gsgsr.org.

And if you think I might be your perfect match, please fill out an adoption application at gsgsr.org. I can’t wait to meet you!  

Forrest is ready for the Holidays

A dog with large ears holding a yellow tennis ball in its mouth, lying on a red and white striped blanket.
Close-up of a young dog with large ears, brown and black fur, looking directly at the camera against a red and white striped background.

Forrest enjoying the Thanksgiving weather

A German Shepherd in a wheelchair carrying an orange and blue ball in its mouth in a backyard.

Forrest goes Trick or Treating. Don’t worry he is safe with his foster mom watching over him.

Forrest after surgery He’s running (Oct 2025) Please note that Forrest is standing and starting to walk without the wheels as of mid Oct. Top video is late Oct, bottom video is only about two weeks after surgery.

Forrest is a big strong boy now (Sept 2025)

A German Shepherd puppy with four paws and wheels in a black cart outdoors in a garden with grass and flowers, with text on the cart that says 'Determination Comes with Four Paws and Wheels,' and a logo for Garden State German Shepherd Rescue.
A black and tan dog sitting on a carpeted floor, looking up with erect ears, in a living room with a brown couch, floral pillows, and a window with curtains.
A playful black and tan puppy, sitting on a white surface, with floppy ears, looking at the camera, tongue slightly out.

Forrest learns some modeling tricks

A black and tan puppy with one ear flopping downward and the other slightly raised, sitting on a white background, facing forward with one front paw extended forward.
A cute black and brown puppy lying on a white blanket, looking at the camera with wide eyes.
Cute puppy sitting on a white background with one ear flopped over and tongue out.
Young black and brown puppy with one ear up and one ear flopped over, lying on a white background, looking at the camera with a curious expression.
A black and tan puppy lying on a white sheet, wearing a white diaper with a tie, resting its head on its front paws, and looking with blue eyes.
A playful black and tan puppy with a white patch on its chest, lying on a white surface, with one ear perked up and tongue out.
A young black and tan puppy sitting on a white background, with one ear bent and the other standing up, tongue slightly out, and one paw resting on the ground.
A playful black and tan puppy sitting on a white background, with one ear flopping down and the other perked up, wearing a diaper.
Young puppy with mostly black fur, tan and gray markings, and long ears, lying down on a plain white background.
A puppy lying on the floor with its tongue out, looking up. The puppy has fluffy fur with patches of black, white, and gray. The puppy's ears are upright, and it appears to be resting comfortably.

Don’t you just love my swimmy diaper? Thanks so much to his foster mom for doing PT in her pool. BTW it’s definitely helping him.

A puppy with black and tan fur lying on a boat's deck, wearing a red life jacket, with a pool below and an outdoor setting in the background.

Forrest’s Video from Facebook

Forrest at 8 weeks old

Forrest’s Second week in Foster——Run Forrest Run

Forrest — Aug 2, 2025

Forrest’s Medical Information, invoices etc. (to be posted adding up alot of $$$$$$$)