Josie
It is with sadness that I let you know Josie lost her battle to degenerative mylopothy. We had 9 wonderful years with Josie all filled with joy and laughter thanks to her amazing spirit and personality. She was a gentle soul full of unconditional love. I adopted Josie in 1996 when I was five years out of college. We think Josie was 3 or 4 when I adopted her and boy was she an active girl!! We took long walks daily together, played Frisbee, and at the end of every night she would fall asleep at the foot of my bed. In 1999, Josie and I met Kyle who soon became her other parent in 2001. Several years later we adopted another Shepherd named Sadie and Josie was so thrilled to have a canine sibling! Three months before her death her human sibling finally arrived, Catherine. I had asked Jo to hang on and said a prayer one night that it was my greatest wish that she meet my first born child. And she did. It was such a joy to see how gentle, calm, and loving she was around this tiny little infant weighing only 6 pounds at birth. Josie was and will always be in our hearts. She was the perfect balance between Rin Tin Tin and Lassie. We feel blessed to have had her in our lives and miss her dearly. Thanks to all involved with German Shepherd Rescue for all that you do and for bringing this special creature into our lives.

Shadow
Dear Birth Mom Just wanted to let you know I died peacefully in my adopted mom’s loving arms this morning. Considering that I had a bladder full of struvite stones at age 3 and was on Rx dog food for the past 8 years, I think that I lived longer than anyone hoped. I was full of life up until the last week when the pain became so bad that I could barely stand to be touched. Mom said I was loved by all that knew me, and everyone commented on my beautiful personality as well as my peaceful demeanor under any circumstance. Mom has used the story of my life in many Christian testimonies telling people that my life scripture was Before you were born, I knew you. She would tell them how you called her on the day that I was conceived. She would then explain that as I grew older, I was happiest when I could just be in my mom’s presence, that I never needed a leash as I never wanted to wander further than a few feet from mom when outside, and most importantly that I only wanted to please mom in any way that I could. I had 2 new sisters that you never met. Molly is a Keeshond who drove me nuts always wanting to play. It took me a long time to teach her how to behave like a lady, but she has learned. The other is a GSD who is more than twice my size. Mom said that people were mean to her, and they must have been because the humane society took Sadie away from her family and let her come to live with us. She was missing a paw and never knew what it was like to have all the food, water, love, toys and a warm bed that any dog should have. Can you imagine that? It was easy to share my toys with her because she was so grateful for every little thing. I didn‚t even have to teach her how to be a lady. Mom said it was because she was so glad to have a good family and that she didn’t have to worry about mean people or having enough food any more. Mom also told me that when I was born, you loosely tied a piece of pink rick-rack around my neck, and I wore pink around my neck until the moment that I died. My pink collar and leash are now sitting around a GSD statue where they will stay until my ashes are returned to my mom. She promised me as I was starting to fall into my deep sleep that someday when she went into a deep sleep that I would be buried with her at her feet in her coffin. I don’t know exactly what that means, but it sounds perfect. I just wanted to thank you one more time for letting me have such a great mom and a great family. Mom would hug me lots and tell me how I was the best present she ever got. Then she would say, Blessed am I among doggie mamas. With lots of love and slurpy doggie kisses, Green Grove’s Chanel V (a.k.a. Shadow, a.k.a. Missy) P.S. Just thought I’d also let you know that since I got to Heaven I’ve been playing all day with Splash. I remembered her right away and how much I loved it when you brought her to play with me when we were both puppies. Now I get to play with her here, too. We’ll just be playing or laying here and waiting for you and mom.

Alex
Alex was my first German Shepherd and the joy in my life. He was big teddy bear. Loved the water, playing ball, catching frisbees and playing with his other K-9 pals and his 3 female siblings. He started my love of the German Shepherd breed. He went over to Rainbow Bridge at age 12 years 9 months. My heart is broken I miss him so much.

Humphrey
This is our Humphrey - our "Gentle Giant". He was gift to my wife (probably more so for me) shortly before our wedding. For almost 10 years he taught us how to love unconditionally and to care for one another and him during the start of our life together. He sadly left us on April 9, 2007 after a long illness that ravaged his body but left his spirit intact. The joy and happiness he brought to our lives, as well as the lessons he taught us cannot be measured. He will be loved, cherished, and remembered in our hearts forever.

Ainsley
It was with great sorrow that we said goodbye to our dear Ainsley. We adopted her in December 2000. Ainsley was our first dog and we were just a little uncertain as to what life would be like with a german shepherd, now we can’t imagine life without one. Ainsley was such a great companion and brought much joy and happiness to our lives. She loved to chase squirrels, bark at cats and go for long walks. She also loved to go for car rides and visit her grandparents in Michigan. Sadly she developed cancer. She will always be in our hearts and loved forever.