lady
Carolina Lady or as she was affectionately known by the family as "Ladybug" was the sweetest dog a person could ever meet. I was a little girl when we bought her for my father for Father's Day one year. She was very skiddish around most people. She loved riding to the farm every day with my dad and she right beside him in the front seat, embarassingly some people even thought it was me always sitting in the front with my dad. Layidy would always sit with me and if I was crying she had a look as though she understood. I hate to say it, but I told the dog more than the people I love. Unfortunately, this year my sophmore of year of college I returned one weekend to find Lady lying on the porch (her "bedroom"). She had been declining in health for a year, but after one look I knew what I had to do, even though it killed me. Lady left this world after a very emotional farewell on October 3rd.

Mobley
We lost our dear family member Mobley on Saturday to cancer. He was 11 years old and we are so deeply saddened right now. He left us too soon and too suddenly but will always have a place in our hearts. He was a loving and loyal companion that made our house even more of a home. Back in 1998-2000 I was a volunteer for the German Shepherd Rescue. My future wife, Annette and I were for a brief time a foster home for the rescue. Mobley came to us as a foster as first but we quickly realized that we were meant to be together. We adopted Mobley in 1999 and he has been a member of the family ever since. He loved us as much as we loved him. He went on a lot of exciting adventures with us.... from the mountains to the beach. We needed him as much as he needed us. We will miss him forever.

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.

Misiu
Misiu was a beast and a pansy all rolled into one. He was truly a member of the family and his loss is still, and always will be, deeply felt. Misiu filled our lives with joy, love, and happiness and, although he shed everywhere, we wouldn't change a thing about him. There will never be a dog as loyal or as loved as Misiu. We will always miss you Misiu Bear

Molly
With a heavy heart and soul, I want to add Molly Rasmussen to the list of beloved GSDs that have left us alone here........Molly Rasmussen. GSDR&R saved Molly sometime in 1997 and we adopted her in Spring 1998. She has been by my side ever since, as my baby, my friend, my gardening partner, and from 2005-2007, as a working dog working with Delta Society Therapy Dogs. It seems I have never known any different, it's always been "Me and Molly"....but last night, old age, a recent hip surgery and finally, acute kidney failure caused us to have to say good-bye. She had such a peaceful passing, I was so grateful for that!! She had been violently sick all day, and there wasn't going to be any repair of her kidneys, so with her own blood making her sicker and sicker, we asked our wonderful vet to come to the house and help us say good bye. I know that I will see her on another day, and that she will be waiting with Spot and Sandy and my mother and father in law....waiting for me.