Ripley
MISS U EVERY DAY BROTHER

River
Old Man River....that was his name. He came into the shelter matted, run down, and hardly walking due to severe joint problems. In such bad shape, that the shelter workers took him for older than dirt. So, Old Man River became his name...River for short. Now typically a dog in that bad of shape doesn't stand a chance at the shelter, but one worker and GSRA foster mom saw that glimmer in his eye and his zest for life. She was NOT going to let him pass on from this world in that kind of shape and on a cold shelter floor. "This is what rescue is about" she said. She was right! River is just the kind of dog that rescues are here to help. The "unadoptables" from the shelters. The ones that need a little extra TLC to become great. So, River came home with his new foster mom Dawn. His mats were brushed out and he was all cleaned up. He visited a vet, maybe for the first time ever and was found that he was not older than dirt...just in bad shape. 6-8 yrs we guessed. So, some pain meds, good food, and a warm bed were prescribed. And that's what he got. He spent the next two weeks in recovery mode with his foster mom and her pack. Through all his trials and tribulations River's temperament never waivered. He was a champ when he was in rough shape and his stellar personality continued even though he was in obvious pain from sore hips. His foster mom just adored him. But sometimes things don't turn out the way one might hope. Everyone hopes for that happy ending where the dog fully recovers and goes on to find that perfect home...but River had a different ending in mind for his story. Although we had hoped he would go on to live a long full life, he was happy to finally be in a place where he was safe and loved...probably the best he'd ever felt. He cherished each moment with his new foster mom and soaked up all the love and affection he could get. River decided that this was the end of the road for him. He had bigger dreams on the other side of the rainbow bridge. A place where his body couldn't hold him back from what his mind wanted to do. River crossed over the rainbow bridge on Christmas Day 2009. It was an emotionally trying day for his mom and all who knew him, but perhaps it was the present that River had asked for...to be free from the pains of this world. Rest In Peace River. You weren't with us long, but we are lucky and blessed to have known you.

Rocky
"Rocky" Merlino January 12, 2003 - October 1, 2010 Sweet boy. Will be missed and loved until we meet again on the other side.

RT

We lost our boy RT this past week. He was just short of 11 years old and unfortunately his hips just finally gave out on him. He was such a loving, loyal, and happy boy. Always looking to play ball when he could run around pain free or follow his sister Ruby into some sort of mischief! Thank you GSDR for letting him come into our lives. He will truly be missed.

Ruby

Ruby (formerly Lucy) was our third dog added to our family, adopted from GSRA in early 2010. She was born in late 2009 to a GSD female, and had two brothers, Diego and Dodger, also GSRA rescues. (I'm hopeful I might get an update on her brothers by posting this memorial.)

As our third adoption, Ruby was the youngest of our dogs. She quickly learned from her older sisters and showed her loyal and eager-to-please nature from the start by falling right into the pack and picking up the routine. She never even had an accident inside!

Ruby was an energetic, agile puppy. She ran with graceful speed; we used to joke that she was part gazelle by the way she could leap and jump. She stayed puppy-like for years, so much so that we called her the "Giant Puppy." She enjoyed many trips to the Outer Banks where she could run and splash on the beach with her canine sisters. She loved the water and enjoyed many dips on the trails at Jordan Lake as well. She was excellent in the car. She followed along with whatever we were doing with a happy spirit.

It is difficult to sum up Ruby's life and the gift she was to us. She enjoyed many comforts and a low-stress life; she was rarely alone, was never boarded, and was deeply bonded to us. She was gentle, loyal, respectful, and loving. She stepped up and helped us with our grief when her oldest canine sister died in 2020. She loved her walks. She loved to lean into people for hugs and paw at them for more pets and attention. Aside from a few injuries here and there over the course of her life, she was healthy until the final month or so. Ruby was 13 years, 7 months old when she died, and although that is a good long life for a shepherd mix, it felt far too short to us. She is and will forever be missed.