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German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin |
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In Remembrance of Dear Friends
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This page is dedicated to those dogs that have passed on. They may be gone, but will never be forgotten! |
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Zeus, from the early February day that Ann brought you home to me in 2005 to the heart breaking day you had to leave me in October of 2009 - you will never know the impact you had on our family. Amanda loved you so much, Don pretended not too, but he did and you were my universe. Your epilepsy kept many people from adopting you and I am glad - because that is what brought you to me and for that, I am forever greatful. Zeus, the hole you left will never be filled but I believe that you directed me to Reena and now she is part of our family. She will never take your place, but she will help fill the void because she needs us too. Your loving family |
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Sarah Read Sarah's remembrance story here>> |
Sarge Read Sarge's remembrance story here>> |
Kazu
Read Kazu's remembrance story here>>
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Emma Rose Read Emma Rose's remembrance story here>> |
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Take a Chance on Me
Here we were 10 months later -- fat, happy and so very loved. He was my sanity saver from a bad day, good day or just there when I needed to cry. He wanted nothing more than to lay on my lap and give me kisses and be petted. How life didn’t seem so bad at that very moment. Chance had a very strong will to live. I thought he would live until he could no longer get up and even then I think he would have fought to stand on all fours. Each time he gave me a scare, was each time he pulled out of it. I kept saying “this is it, this is it,” and sure enough, he wobbled out of his house tail wagging standing right between my legs as always, looking up at me as though he could see me, telling me “nope, I’m still going, don’t you worry!” He loved the outside more than anything. The snow was his favorite thing. He would get down and roll from side to side. How he knew that there was snow on the ground or that it was even snowing was amazing. But he knew and loved it. The first few days with me I had him outside when it was snowing and I was shoveling and when I went to go check on him, he’s sound asleep covered in snow. When it was time to come in, boy how he hated to go back in the house. Chance was so full of life and had so much love to give me. There wasn’t a day that went by that he wasn’t readily waiting for me to hug him up. Once in a while I would get a broken up howl. I was like a proud momma, my baby saying his first words. The first time he did that I got all teary eyed thinking he just doesn’t stopamazing me. To me, he was indestructible, my stepping stone and my rock. He lived everyday with me like there were so many more to be had. Chance has made such an impact on my life and I miss him terribly. He has left such a special place in my heart and in my world, but has also left a big void in my life. I knew that this day would come, but I didn’t think it was going to happen so fast. I know in my heart that he knew I loved him and he loved me. I buried him in a special place that even after I move he won’t be touched. Chance, my old man, my friend, I miss you more than anything -- especially those morning kisses. You’re in a better place, free of pain. When it’s my time, we will be together again. In the meantime, I will think of you, and blow you kisses in the wind. Rest in peace, Dear Friend Solomon
Solomon was immediately put on Rimadyl for joint pain,
eradicated of a severe case of coccidia, and given meds to help him keep
food down. Despite the
internal pains he most likely was experiencing, Solomon managed to smile,
show love to every human and every animal he encountered, and also earn
the title of “sweetest dog to ever come through the rescue doors of
GSRAW.” Solomon touched the
hearts of everyone who met him and we feel truly blessed to have known
him.
With sadness in your
loss,
Gage It was not long after taking this dog into foster care that the effects of prior abuse began to show. Fear aggression was the result of Gage's
abusive upbringing. Gage was easily one of the brightest dogs I have had the pleasure of training. He mastered each command within minutes of it being
taught as he took complete enjoyment in learning new things. Through positive reinforcement training, he learned to trust and completely bonded
to his foster family. Zeus "Hajek" He brought to us all the sunshine and warmth that is brought on a summer day, and occasionally, all the thunder and lightning associated with a heavy storm. He was so strong and so smart. It is no wonder German Shepherds are considered to be the most intelligent breeds. He proved it every day! It was only his second day home with us when he figured out how to open his kennel door. We figured we just forgot to latch it, until he did it again, and again, and again. His love for car rides made him run out the door every chance he got. The problem was he kept running, because he knew he'd get car ride home if he went far enough. He was thinking constantly! He seemed to remember everything. Unfortunately, I think he may have remembered too much. I believe that his childhood was just too traumatic for him to forget. Zeus gave us companionship and truly tried to give us his own version of unconditional love. Some of his behaviors were associated with fear, and this made him defensive. All the love we gave him just wasn't enough to help him forget. However, he will never be forgotten. He was a beautiful dog. He will hold a special place in our hearts always. We truly love and miss him. Xena Bear You were the sunshine in the morning and the moonlight at night. What a bright and beautiful star you would make. We all miss you so. Your sister Zoie who has helped us through this sadness with her own special smile. Even your brother cats Redford and Otter have been lonely for the games you played. Your dad and I have had the most difficulty getting through this but then we don't have the wisdom of the animal kingdom. We just can't seem to let go. Time will heal and we can only hope to be with you again some day over the rainbow. You will forever and always be the one and only "Big Dog" in our hearts. We love you Xena Bear. Mom, Dad, Zoie, Redford and Otter Rip Soon she began eating poorly and wandering the yard hoping to find her missing brother. We were all lonely and miserable, and we knew we had a comfortable, caring environment to give to another dog, so we started thinking about trying to find one. The dog Dianne called about was a six month old dog, seemingly a pure bred German Shepherd, who had just been surrendered at the shelter. The minute we saw him with his one floppy ear and his happy personality, we decided he was a perfect fit. It has been eleven years now since we made that determination, and we never once changed our minds. It took just a few weeks for us to realize that he was "the best dog in the whole world," a phrase which we used almost daily to describe him. It is not an overstatement to say that Rip trained himself. After watching Inga go through the doggy door to the yard just once, he knew what to do and never had a single accident. We used to say he was always smiling. The picture accompanying this article is evidence of that. He showed loyalty to me and to all those who showed concern for him by wagging his proud tail in happiness as soon as he recognized one of us and by barking with protection when anyone he did not know approached us. He was always happy to see me - his primary trainer and companion. His cheerful demeanor was especially pleasant during my recovery at home from some very serious surgery. He lay next to my couch each day with only short protective barking patrols in our fenced in yard interrupting his devotion. When Dave's beloved Shepherd, Nikki, lost his battle with cancer, he was very depressed and often just sat in the family room mourning. Rip sat next to him, sensing his need for empathy and affection. Not only did Rip get along well with people; he was also a boon companion to every dog we owned, regardless of age, gender or personality. He treated Inga with respect as a sort of mother and later was gentle with her as she aged. He adopted Nikki as a brother as soon as we took him in at age three when his former owner could not keep him. He adopted and befriended another Shepherd brother, Rocky, a ten year old who had been left at the shelter when his young adult master moved from the home and the others there did not want him. These two lay side by side in our family room day after day as if they had always been together. Beyond being a friend to the other dogs, he was also their teacher. When we lost Nikki to cancer, Dave was devastated, so we searched and found Kayla, another black German Shepherd who -contrary to what her previous owner told us- had probably been mistreated. Rip adopted this new sibling, Kayla, and immediately befriended her and taught her the routine at our home. Kayla was and still is very cautious, probably due to past mistreatment, so she would sit behind Rip in our family room as if she knew he would protect her. As I stood in the surgical area of my veterinary clinic a few weeks ago and heard the words, "He is filled with cancer. There is nothing we can do," so many thoughts went through my mind. One of them was the question people often asked me, "Where did you find such a great dog?" When I said, "the humane society," the invariable response was "They're the best kind, you know." And at this moment, I knew more than ever that he certainly was... "the best dog in the whole world." There will be other Shepherds in our lives-they are our favorite breed- but there will never be another one just like my buddy, Rip. Goodbye my good friend. If there is an animal heaven, you are surely there now. We will never forget you. Dave and Janet Sheldon |
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