Prince
From the first minute you came into our lives and I saw what horrible shape you were in and found out that you had run away from a very bad man who sold drugs and kept you tied to a tree with no shelter. I did everything in my power with money and a good lawyer to keep you away from this man and get you immediate medical care. Your ears were infected and oozing as well as well flea eaten and the vet found that you had 3 forms of worms. After a week hidden away on the vets farm and consent care and attention your new life began. You were truly the BEST and most LOYAL dog I have ever had the honor of sharing my life with and when the time came after 12 years of loving you I had to make the heart breaking decision to have your vet ease your pain and allow you to go into the next stage of life to wait to run with me again and be my shadow. You gave me the honor of allowing me to hold you and give you permission to let go when the time came. Although I was very brave when we are at the vets I broke down in the car and still ache for your friendly smile or seeing your head hanging out the back window when I go anywhere. Your ashes are in a German Shepard memorial box that looks just like you and I have it in your favorite spot near my bed. Although I feel your presence all around me I will forever miss my Prince. It has been a month since you you left to play with your sister I feel like you want me to rescue another German Shepard in need like you were and we are looking but no other dog will replace you in our hearts.

Lukas
My Lukas. The hardest part of losing you is right now, sitting at the computer typing. I miss the warmth of your body on my feet.. you should be here, but all I have is a pocket of emptiness. I lost you in May to a twisted colon. It's so rare for that to happen, why did it have to be you? It wasn't time for you to go, 11 years wasn't enough. I'll never forget when I first laid eyes on you. I had gone to the Spartanburg Humane Society to find a puppy, except when I walked by the cement kennel you were in and made eye contact with you, I immediately new I was taking you home. It broke my heart to learn they had found you all alone on the side of a street. You were so frightened when we brought you home the first night, scared to walk up the steps, scared of cars and scared of tall men. But over the years you blossomed. You were with me though marriage and kids and 3 dominate cats. You were the most patient soul, silent ly supporting me through sleep deprived nights of newborns. And hair pulling craziness of toddler hood. As the kids got older, you patiently let them dress you up or would stand in as a pupil when the kids wanted to play teacher. But my all time favorite memory with you was our evening walks. Especially after downloading a star gazing app for my phone and we'd lie on the hill behind my house and we'd find all the constellations In the night sky. The highlight was finding the Canis Major Constellation together. I'm starting to find peace in knowing that you are running effortlessly amongst the stars. Jonathan is happy that you are in heaven with your mother. I hope you received the balloons all the kids in the neighborhood sent up to you. We thought you'd have fun playing with them. I miss you terribly. You left an aching wound in my heart. I wish I could give you one more hug or to just smell the top of your head between your ears once more. I LOVE YOU.

Clara
I love you so much mommy's puppy. You are the best pet anyone could ask for. I will always remember how we got you. If it wasn't for mommy's friend Jaime, we never would have had you in our lives. I remember when the lady was coming to the vet clinic to get her new puppies a checkup. She asked if there was anyone who was looking for a German Shepard puppy. I told her that we were. I called your daddy to come to the clinic and see you. Did you know that you were the smallest little puppy ever? You were so scared you hid under the chairs in the waiting room in the corner. Your daddy walked into the waiting room and asked where you were. I will always remember how you walked from the corner to your daddy's feet and laid down at his feet. We were both instantly in love with you. You were the best money could buy and I have not regretted paying $300 for you when we couldn't afford it. I remember how we had to give you baths everyday, because you thought it was fun to go potty in the house and then roll around in it. I think you did that because mommy would wrap you in a towel to dry you off and cuddle with you after your baths. I also remember how you thought you were "top dog". The first time we introduced you to your cousin Shadow you barked at her like you owned the place. Of course Shadow completely ignored you. It was a pretty interesting sight. Then we had Ryan. Oh I remember when we brought him home. You were so excited! A new toy to play with!! But you were a good puppy and listened to mommy and daddy when we told you to be gentle with the baby. That first night we brought him home and he was crying in his bed, you went to check on him for us. You came back into the kitchen and looked at us like we did not hear him. You were such a good mommy dog. You were there with us during the numerous midnight feedings and you ran when there were nasty poopy diapers. Did you know that Ryan loves you too. I don't know how I am going to tell him about you, but that is something that we will have to figure out later. Clara, I will always remember how you jump into our bed and lie down on daddy's side of the bed and not get off. You were so territorial. You protected us from those pesky annoying solicitors that tried to sell us junk. You would even scare the pizza guy. Aunt Meli told me once that when she babysat you for a weekend, she introduced you to her friend, Veronica. Veronica said you were a "really big scary dog!" I agree you are a big dog, but you are also the best lap dog any mommy could want. Then we had Audrey. I remember when we brought her home. You sniffed the car seat, looked inside of the car seat, and then looked at us and had a very funny look on your face. You were asking "Another one?! You already have one!" But you grew to love her too! You were so sweet to mommy when she was crying because she was worried about Audrey. You would jump up on the couch and put your head on my lap. I would pet you and talk to you about how scared I was. You would listen quietly and let me talk. You knew Audrey would be okay, but you let me talk to you anyway. Did you know that you have another cousin? He name is Daisy. I know you love her. You helped her learn how to not chew toys up, how not to potty in the house and how to listen when mommy and daddy tell you to do something. You were always there to help. The first time you met Daisy, you did not like her. You growled at her and tried to eat her. Mommy and Aunt Meli made you and Daisy take a picture together. I'm sorry, but you were so cute! I had to tell you that you were a bad dog, but you know I didn't mean it right? Your not a bad dog Clara, you are a wonderful dog! Then we had Olivia. Clara you don't really know Olivia do you? You have only been with her for two years. She loves you so much! When we were dog-sitting your cousins she would only say your name. Do you remember when she would sit on daddy's lap and call you? She would say "mere Clara.... mere....." She couldn't quite say "come here" yet. But she tried. You would come to her and lay down. Again, you were such a great mommy dog! You did not mind that Olivia cried more during the night than the other two did. You did not mind when she would pull your tail to get you to come over to her. You were so patient. Have I told you that you are a good puppy yet? I don't know if I told you that enough. I don't know if I told you how much I love you and how I can't imagine life without you in it. You were my first baby. Losing you is like losing one of my own children. I know the time has come and I know that I have to let you go, but Clara I can't. I can't bear to let you go. I have talked to people about whether to be in the room with you or not. I think I am going to be. Daddy may not, but don't think that he doesn't love you. He just doesn't want to see you go. Your daddy loves you very much too! Do you remember when daddy would wrestle with you? He would put on the oven mitts and you would get so excited! You would start jumping on him and playing before he was even ready. It was very funny. But when daddy said "Game over" you knew that play time was done. You would walk over to daddy and give him a big hug. Remember that mommy, daddy, Ryan, Audrey and Olivia will always love you. We have to do what's best for you and we cannot stand to see you suffer anymore. I love you mommy's puppy! Mommy.....

Razor
Found in a grocery store parking lot, Razor became the Country Gentleman at our farm, welcoming guests and being an all around wonderful companion to me, but especially to my husband who walked with him everyday back in the woods.

Diesel
My Sweet Diesel Dawg...
Words cannot express the pain your loss has engrained in me.
I miss you so much more than I ever thought possible.
I rescued you, but you rescued me right back.
As an animal control officer , I recieve calls every day about dogs that need me.
But..I think that I needed you too. You reminded me why I do this job, even when it makes me cry.
You reminded me that people aren't all bad and that there are people that care.
You were more than a papa to champions and a show dog, even though your owner never told you that.
I loved you just for being you, and I always will.
Rest in peace my sweet friend, until we meet again.