When rescuers at the Pennsylvania SPCA recently heard about a group of retired service dogs living in unsafe conditions at a mismanaged animal rescue group nearby, the worried animal advocates quickly hatched a plan to bring the pups to safety. Over the course of several months, rescuers got to work transporting the dogs out of the dirty facility and into a life of comfort.

One of these dogs was Caesar. When rescuers first met Caesar, his fluffy brown coat was matted from months of neglect, but his kind brown eyes still shone brightly from behind the slats of his metal cage.

A retired explosive detection dog, the sweet 6-year-old German Shepherd should have been living with a loving family. Instead, he’d spent the first of his golden years cooped up in a small kennel. Fortunately for Caesar, his luck was about to change.

Safe at the Pennsylvania SPCA, Caesar now has plenty of space to run and play. Patient staff members have been more than happy to help Caesar learn how to be a dog again.

“He loves to chase tennis balls, perhaps too much, and so we have been working with him on alternate activities and learning how to relax,” Pennsylvania SPCA behavior team member Renee Brooks told The Dodo. “He is learning about frisbees, and settling on beds … When he trusts his people, he is all about leaning in for pets. He is also learning how to enjoy pool time during the warm weather.”

Caesar is currently still searching for his forever home. His perfect family would be dog savvy, with at least one person who has experience handling working dogs. Caesar would love parents who are excited to keep him physically and mentally active with fun training games.

Rescuers hope that, in time, Caesar will get everything he deserves.

“My greatest hope for Caesar is that he always has a warm place to lay his head, a full belly, and adoring ‘hoomans’ that show him nothing but patience and love in his golden years,” Brooks said.