Saber
In November 2009 our lives were blessed when we agreed to help out the GSRA by fostering a senior that was in a shelter in Wilmington. He was called OB because of his very distinct overbite. Let me back up a bit. September 2009 our family moved from our apartment into a wonderful home in the country and knew that it was the perfect place for a dog to live. I had always loved German Shepherds and missed having one in our home. The perfect solution was to look for a rescue and Google directed me to GSRA. I filled out an application and started the adoption process. We were working with Cathie and Andrea to find the perfect girl about 2 years old, when I got a email from them asking for help in fostering a male senior dog that was going to be put down very soon and all GSRA fosters were full. The shelter in Wilmington had said he was not worth saving because he was old and heart worm positive but as we all know GSRA believes all dogs are worth saving. My husband and I talked about it and decided that this was the right thing to do, never knowing that our lives were about to take an unexpected change for the better. So on that beautiful fall day in November 2009, Andrea and Cathie brought OB to us and we knew immediately that this boy was something special. We adopted OB in January 2010 and changed his name to Saber. He had his forever home. Saber had the best manners. Never once did he get in the trash, chew a shoe, still food off your plate, get on the counters, mess in the house or do any of the things you expect a dog might do. How could anyone have thrown this boy away or say he didn’t deserve to be saved? Oh so what if he didn’t like baths, having his nails cut, getting brushed and you could just forget getting that toothbrush near him. He was still the perfect companion. He loved his toys and took care of them like a mother looking after her young. All 95 pounds of him would roll around on his back with all 4 legs in air. He wanted to be with his people and would follow his dad around like there was an invisible string attached to his back. Car rides were the best, along with walks down by the lake. He loved to swim, run and play even though he knew how much pain it caused him. He took his medicines like a champ everyday, except that leaky bladder pill that he would push to the side as he ate the rest. Guess he always thought we wouldn’t notice but he always gave in and chewed it up too. He just wanted to please his people and he did that completely. Saber had a best friend named Bitty Kitty. She came to us when someone literally threw her away. She could sit in your hand or fit in Sabers mouth as we found out quite by accident. Our fears were quickly put to rest because she was completely fine except for the fact she was drenched in doggy slobber. They developed a very special bond and would even share a bowl of food. He couldn’t even go the bathroom without her rubbing against his legs. Their friendship was something funny to witness. On August 17, 2012 Saber found his way to doggie heaven and our hearts were broke. He had filled a place in our hearts that we didn’t know was empty. In the 3 years he lived with us, he brought us so much joy. He will be with us always as he is buried under his favorite tree next to the fence, where he will forever guard the perimeter of the homestead. RIP Saber! You are missed by your family!

Zeke
On April 14th of 2012, My fuzzy heart passed away. Zeker dog found me at an adoption event at PetSmart in 2006. My good friend was with me and said "have you found a partner" and I look down and Zeke is staring back at me saying "Ah yeah and it's me!". My huge fuzzy guy was amazingly sweet and kind and never met anyone he did not like. He showed us all compassion and love and was nicknamed Budhha Dog. Zeke and I fostered for the GSD rescue and not until Lizzie came home one day did HE decide we should keep her. It was wonderful to see my big guy show the ropes to a very scared young girl. Under his guidance, Lizzie has become the amamzing girl she is today. Lizzie sufferes from pannus and Zeke literally became her seeing eye dog. He was compassionate to people and animals the same. Halloween was his favorite holiday. He loved greeting all the kids at the door. He literally would greet every single child that came to the door and sometimes stick his head in their pumpkins to see what they had in there! I loved watching him romp in the snow with Lizzie. Throwing up chunks of snow at each other. Since he was such a big guy (100 lbs) and thick double coat of fur he loved the fall weather and I so enjoyed watching him sit outside on the deck and let the cool wind blow on his coat. he would close his eyes and lift his head up and just say AAAAHHHHHHH! There is not a day that passes that I do not miss you my Zeker dog. Lizzie and I miss you so very much. I am truly honored that you picked me to be your Human Mommy and shared your precious life with me. We love you - Mommy and Lizzie

Rex
Rex it's still me and I'm going to write about you all day because i love you so much and that it's not so fun round here with out you . Alvin and I think about you and we say to our minds:" WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE REX AGAIN OR HOW ARE WE GOING TO GO THERE WITH REX "so Rex please remeber us then on. Love, Monserratt Padilla-Ojeda P.S help me rex

Shotsey Ann
This is such a wonderful note telling us where our loving pets go. Shotsey was very much our little girl she was so full of life . She brought so much joy to our lives. She was my very good buddy she would be there to greet me when i come home from a hard days work smiling a waging her tail she was always glad to see me come home. She had so many ways to show her love now she's gone and all we have are memories of the wonderful times we had with her. As we grow old our pets are more like children .My wife and I truly miss her with all our heart . It is so hard to lose a friend like our Shotsey was. She will always be there in our memory. We love you Shotsey

Sheila Marie
You brought so much into my life. You were not only my dog, you were my bestfriend. You slept by my bed each night, and every morning you waited for me to get up and start the day together. I knew you were feeling bad when you did not meet me at the door when I came home from work. My heart was breaking, and I think you knew this. You washed my face that last night we had together. I feel you were trying to comfort me, other than me comforting you. You would take that paw and put it up on my leg to rub your feet. You loved that, and I use to laugh at you. I miss you and my heart has a hole in it that cannot be replaced. I know that you are in heaven with all the other dogs that have gone on, but please wait on me and we will be together again. I think of you everyday and I love you! You will always be "My Girl" and know that you were loved so much and will be remembered!