Kaya
It is with such a heavy heart that I write to you...I adopted my Kaya from you many years ago...we had to say our final goodbyes this past Tuesday, April 13, 2010. Kaya was about to turn 13. In my 34 years, I always had shepherds. Kaya was my BEST GIRL. I am devastated. I am lost. I feel like a piece of me died with her...I love her so... On Easter Sunday Kaya decided that walking was too difficult for her. I assumed she experienced an injury of some sort...we increased her arthriitis meds a bit and assisted her with walking. The next couple days got worse. We had a ramp installed and had her fitted for a full body sling. I took her to the vet last Wednesday. She was put on an aggressive regimen of meds in order to try to get her back up. I didn't know at the time that she was down for good. I ended up having to carry her via stretcher over the last couple days. On Sunday I carried her outside in the morning. She and I spent the entire day together (just the two of us) under the umbrella, eating whatever she wanted, and enjoying the spring air. I needed that time with my girl. She wasn't getting better. In her "Kaya Way" she told me to let her go. I took her back to the vet on Monday. We x-rayed her hips, back, and knees. She was eaten up with arthritis. The vet said that she has never seen hips and knees look any worse. Kaya was in unbearable pain, I couldn't keep her because of my selfishness. Plus, this noble breed does not belong on the ground on a stretcher. We tripled her pain meds to make her comfortable until everyone could say their goodbyes. I had been sleeping on the floor with her in the living room for the past 2 weeks. I am so happy for that time with her. The hardest part of letting her go was the fact that her mind was in perfect working condition. That about killed me. She still smiled, regardless of the pain. Dr. Peace came to the house on Tuesday around 9am. I held her to the very end. She was a stubborn old thing...she fought until the end. Doc had to quadruple the doses of sedative and lethal injection. My Kaya went out protecting her people. Unbelievable devotion. We made her very comfortable and transported her to Lynchburg, VA where my ex-husband has a horse farm. All of our animal friends are buried on the farm. She rests next to her sister Maggie. (I lost my other shepherd in January 2006.) She overlooks the pasture and has a beautiful cross with fresh pink tulips. I believe she would approve. That being said, I want to thank you for trusting me to adopt Kaya so very long ago...She was, is, and will forever be, my best girl, my best confidant, my best friend... I miss her so much. Nothing will ease the pain except knowing that she is RUNNING over the Rainbow Bridge full force...100% - she never settled for anything less. Please post this to the Memorials page...I will be happy to make a donation of any sum...it is a meager attempt of expressing my gratitude for allowing me to share the last 13 years with the best GSD ever...

Duke
On July 9, 2008, we picked up Duke (aka The “Dukester”) in Raleigh, NC, accompanied by our daughter, Heather, a German Shepherd Rescue & Adoption (GSRA) volunteer. Duke had been rescued off a busy highway in Charlotte, NC and ended up at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Animal Control. Because he tested Heartworm positive, it seemed no one wanted him and he was a few days away from being euthanized. No Way! Members of GSRA sprung into action. One of their volunteers parked herself at the animal shelter at 6am and sat in a lawn chair, armed with a thermos of coffee, to ensure she would be first in line when the doors opened. Through a chain of events, coordinated by several volunteers, Duke walked into our lives. We fostered him, but knew from day one we would adopt him. Duke was truly the most magnificent, remarkable dog we’ve ever owned. As someone told us, “Duke looked like the German Shepherd that everyone associates with that breed. He was the Rin Tin Tin type of dog that many of us longed for as a child.” Sadly, we only had him for one year. Although he survived a 6-month Heartworm treatment, he passed away at home July 16, 2009 from spleen and liver cancer. The emptiness in our hearts is unfathomable. The “Dukester” was a funny boy. He performed all the basic commands with the precision of a drill sergeant, and his manners were impeccable… except for one silly quirk. After his dinner, he insisted on rolling around on our light beige carpet which he used as a napkin to wipe his mouth. He seemed to take pleasure in seeing us routinely drag out the carpet shampooer. He wasn’t much of a guard dog -- he was just too sweet. When repairmen entered our foyer, he gave them a cursory glance, went back to sleep, and they had to step over him. He wasn’t great at “fetch” either. We’d throw the ball, he’d stand there and wait until we walked over to “fetch” the ball and bring it back to him. After a few minutes of us throwing the ball and doing all the retrieving, he’d lay down with a slight smile on his face. He had us trained well. He loved everyone, especially small children and the elderly. He seemed to sense their fragility. Once, after seeing a toddler in a stroller, he simply put his nose through the leg opening of the stroller and gently laid his head on the toddler’s lap. She squealed with laughter at this 105 lb. fur ball. He was a celebrity in our neighborhood. When my husband walked him, folks would call out Duke’s name and stop what they were doing just to pet him. As someone said, “Duke must be a happy dog because he always looks like he’s smiling.” Our next door neighbor, Don, made him food bowl stands, picture frames, and… a wooden engraved cross to place on Duke’s grave. It’s only been a week since Duke died and we miss him so much. Our time with him was too short and we are grieving for all that could have been. We cherished every day that we had with him. He left this earth with dignity, and we are confident he felt totally loved and at peace. We would like to express our utmost appreciation to all the GSRA volunteers who went the extra mile so we could adopt Duke. Several members of the organization stayed in touch with us and offered their wisdom, guidance, love and support. It’s been a wonderful experience to be associated with this group of people who work tirelessly to rescue dogs who otherwise might not have been saved. GSRA volunteers are angels in work clothes. “Duke, old buddy, we will remember you in our hearts forever.” Karen and Reed Akers, and Heather Akers

Buddy
It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that my precious Buddy has passed away. For those of you who knew Bud you know what an incredibly special boy he was. Buddy came to the German Shepherd Rescue as a stray puppy of about 6 months of age. I adopted him at 8 months of age and he and Lou quickly became loving (and sometimes not so loving) siblings. Buddy spent the last 5 1/2 years doing exactly what he wanted to do which primarily consisted of lots of napping, lots of dog cookies and the occasional meal from Outback. Buddy was such an amazing spirit in our home and is sorely missed. Although timid, shy and often fearful, he had a very strong presence about him that now leaves our home quiet and empty. We miss him so terribly. He was truly one of the most incredible animals I have ever known and I was blessed to be his mom for the short time he was here. We will see you on the other side of the bridge Bud Man.

Cassie
Cassie came to the rescue in 1994 when she & her 4 pups were left at the pound by her former owner. She only weighed about 50 lbs & was heartworm positive. However, it was love at first sight between Cassie & my husband Bruce although she was pretty pitiful looking, all skin & bones. We adopted her and it wasn’t long before she became the Alpha & queen of the house and Bruce was her “human”. With some time, good food & some spoiling Cassie became a truly stunning dog with all the classic markings and kept her “looks” all her life always looking much younger than she really was (I should be so lucky). She was also the most intelligent dog I have ever seen. She learned after only seeing or hearing something once and sometimes you could almost “see” the gears turning in her head. She was almost “scary” smart because she never forgot anything and seemed to understand everything. We’ve added to our family with a yellow Lab adopted in 1999 from the SPCA and another GSD adopted from the rescue last year but even at 14 years old, Cassie was undeniably the Alpha and remained such until her last day. Cassie truly was the personification of everything that GSD are known for. She was beautiful, intelligent and affectionate and nothing ever got by her and we miss her every day.

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.