Spartacus – A Special German Shepherd Finds His Forever Home With Sedona
Sedona Shepherd was contacted about a handsome 5 year-old German Shepherd in desperate need of medical care and a new home. Spartacus had been living in a basement with no heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer time. He was neglected by his owner, who would leave him alone for days or weeks at a time. If not for a caring neighbor, Spartacus would not have survived. She made sure to feed him and give him water and love. When Spartacus new guardian took him to a vet on her own initiative, she found out he had a rectal hernia that had not been treated for months, causing him severe pain when going to the bathroom. He also had cyrptorchidism which had never been treated. If both of these were left untreated, especially the hernia, it would be life-threatening.
Although we knew that the procedures would be expensive and complicated, we also knew that Spartacus had nowhere else to turn. Local authorities refused to intervene, and his ‘owner’ was not going to pay for medical treatment. On January 2, Sedona took Spartacus into our program and immediately scheduled him to have surgery two days later. Repairing the hernia was an even more difficult procedure because it had been left untreated for so long. His stay at the veterinary hospital had been extended as he ran into a number of complications. Spartacus has a trusting and sweet disposition. The unexpected complications have stretched our finances. Please help us continue to give Spartacus the necessary care he needs to finally have a chance to live a happy life with a family that will love him and always care for him. We have set up a YouCaring page to help raise funds to pay specifically for Spartacus veterinary bills.
Read About Spartacus Full Story Below As It Happens:
Early Winter


When we met Spartacus, he was clearly excited just to be outside on a walk, meeting new faces and stretching his legs. It was obvious how much pain he was in when he tried to go the bathroom. His tail was also a little crooked. We knew as an organization that we had to find a way to make sure that we could bring him into our program and address his urgent medical needs. With the holidays coming up, our foster homes were full. He was going to need to be with someone who could give him proper care after his intensive surgeries. In the meantime, Spartacus’ neighbor was taking care of him on a daily basis.
January 2, 3
January 4
Despite a snowstorm, the staff at Crown Vet was all lined up and ready to perform his surgeries. The surgeries were intense. The surgeon was shocked that his rectal hernia on his right side had been left untreated for so long, causing additional weakness on his left side. Performing cryptorchid surgery on an adult dog can be very tricky, but the experienced surgeons at Crown were prepared for any additional complications. With the nature of his intensive surgery, Spartacus would have to stay at the hospital for the next two nights.
January 5 – 7
The surgeries took a toll on Spartacus. He was having difficulty urinating and the staff for the first few days was placing a catheter into him and expressing his bladder. Keeping the catheter in him for long period of time proved problematic, so they had to resort to expressing his bladder. Additionally, his appetite was very low and he was not eating. Spartacus certainly looked like wounded gladiator. He had a drain in his leg as well. Through it all, Spartacus was friendly and well mannered and the staff was always telling us what a sweet boy he was.
January 8 – 9
Spartacus finally began to turn the corner. His appetite started to come back. Because of the type of surgery, he needs to be on a soft, basic food diet, which isn’t always the tastiest. However, we made him a mixture of soft ground turkey, eggs and mashed up vegetables, which he seemed to enjoy. He started going the bathroom on his own and was ready to go to his foster home.
January 10 – January 15
January 16 – January 31
February 1 to February 14

No cone! Ready to play.
We are so thankful for all the support for Spartacus and are happy to announce that we have reached our fundraising goal. Thanks to everyone who has helped share his story. A story that continues.
February 15 to March 14

March 15 to April 2
April 3 to May 6
Spartacus journey has lead him to his forever home. Enjoying a nice spring day with a new toy, Spartacus loves being outside in the sun and finally allowed to enjoy life like a German Shepherd should. It has been a tough journey for our boy, and he occasionally still has some residual effects from the surgery and his prior conditions. Today Spartacus is loved, happy and thanks to everyone who helped support Spartacus, from donors, to foster homes, volunteers and veterinarians, Spartacus was able to get the second chance in life he deserved.
Sedona Shepherd Sanctuary is a German Shepherd rescue dedicated to rescuing and finding homes for adult and senior German Shepherds in New Jersey and surrounding areas.