German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin

This page is dedicated to those dogs that have passed on.  They may be gone, but will never be forgotten!

click on the dogs' pictures to see their tributes

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Emma Rose 
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Take a Chance on me....  

Chance was found in Iowa County in a ditch on the side of the road -- left to die in the middle of winter.  The rescue got a call about this old guy that we might give him a few days of happiness and not let him die alone in a kennel.  So I agreed to take him in.  Chance came to me covered with burrs, thin, blind, deaf, arthritic and full of cancer.  He was to only spend a very short time with me before he would be put down.  I gave him a bath and pulled out all those burrs.  What a job that was!  So I decided to take him to PetSmart and have him finished up.  How handsome he was when I picked him up!

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 stop amazing 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

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In Memory of Solomon

Solomon came to us from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan.  Solomon had been at a shelter there and despite bad hips and possible other maladies, the board members of the shelter felt he was just too nice of a dog to put down.  Their last hope was rescue.  GSRAW agreed to take him in and try to fix him up.  Sadly, it was soon discovered that besides needing both hips replaced, Solomon was full of cancer.  His foster moms, Wendy and Lori, were angels of mercy in Solomon’s last weeks here on earth.  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.

A huge THANKS and hugs of condolence go to you, Wendy and Lori, for giving him a warm home, making him comfortable and giving him your unconditional love during the last weeks of his life.  We can picture him now pain free, tail wagging, and watching over you from the rainbow bridge in quiet anticipation of meeting you again some day.  Solomon thanks you, and we thank you, for all that you do.

With sadness in your loss,

your friends at GSRAW

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This is Gage   

It is with a heavy heart that we share Gage's story with you.

Gage came to us via a frantic call for help to our Rescue.  A woman asked if we would take a young male dog that was continually being beaten by his owner.  This owner's preferred method of discipline -- a baseball bat.  This man's 8 year old son often joined in on "the discipline."  The abuse was so severe that she took it upon herself to take the dog from this person, even though she could not herself keep him.  She definitely saved his life.  When we picked him up, we found him wearing a prong collar that was so tight, it had grown into his skin (oh yeah, you can add "neglect" to the list, too).

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.

This is the story of a dog who loved too much.  For the first time in his life he loved, and he trusted, FIERCELY.  The more Gage bonded to his foster family, the more he felt it was his mission to guard HIS people against everyone and everything, because to him, all of the world was evil.  His instinct to protect at all costs became increasingly alarming.  Gage's aggressive tendencies continued to escalate over a period of many months.  No training in the world could erase his memories of abuse and the fear that it culminated, making a very difficult decision imminent.  With more sadness than we can express, we reluctantly agreed to do what we were advised had to be done.  Gage was one year old.

I will see you again some day Gage, my friend, and together we will cross the rainbow bridge.  Know that we loved you as deeply as you loved us.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In Memory of Zeus "Hajek"

Zeus ("zoos") was the ruler of the gods in Greek mythology.  Zeus was a sky and weather god, especially associated with rain, thunder, and lightning.  The Greeks believed he was all knowing and all seeing. The Greeks considered Zeus a father figure and a protector, especially of guests and strangers.

Zeus knew his name, and I believe he knew the meaning. He believed he was the ruler of his castle. 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.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In Loving Memory of Xena
 

Xena Bear:

This, your last photo, so unlike all the others with the movie star smile.  You knew you were leaving us and we feel such deep sadness thinking we should have known.  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: OUR FRIEND, PROTECTOR, AND CHEERLEADER

When I answered the telephone, I heard the voice of Dianne Horlamus enthusiastically say, "Have I got the puppy for you!" At that time, she was Executive Director of Washington County Humane Society, where my husband, Dave, and I were volunteers. From our frequent presence at the shelter, Dianne had learned of the sadness we had been experiencing from the loss of Rip I, our first German Shepherd euthanized after bone and joint problems made walking at first difficult and then one day, impossible.  Not only was Rip I important because he was the first dog we owned together, but also because he had a wonderfully sweet personality. Losing him after fifteen years created a huge hole in our hearts and in our daily lives. Those grieving included our other Shepherd, Inga.  Rip's companion from the day she had entered our home, she was now frequently alone since we both worked long hours. 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. When I took him to obedience school, several people including the instructor said that old line- "He seems to be training you!"  In Rip's case, however, it was true. At the beginning of our second class, the instructor took me aside and said, "If you ever need to find another home for that dog, find me. I'll take him."  Of course, we never had any desire to part with him. Frequently, during our training sessions, that same instructor would say, "Look at that blonde woman and her German Shepherd. That's how it should look."  I   knew and so did he that it was Rip -not I - who knew precisely what to do to be the perfect model.

It wasn't just obedience, though, which made Rip, "the best dog that ever lived". It was so many other traits, too. He had the greatest smile. 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.