I lost my best friend Sunday night. Layna was true to her name which means "my beautiful little angel". She guarded me and was my constant shadow. She loved and comforted me through all our trials and victories. She trusted me to love and care for her as she deserved as the precious gift she was. I can only hope that she knew just how much joy she brought me during her 11 years and how much I loved her and miss her dearly. She tried her hardest to be strong and fight for me, but her body just couldn't keep going. I held her when she took her final breath and peace came over her at last. I know that she is now running in green fields and warm sun, as I have given her back to God to love. Until we meet again baby girl.

Farewell Layna my angel
August 28, 2008 - December 22, 2019

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said,
For you to love her while she lives
and to mourn for her when she is gone.
Maybe for 12 or 14 years, or maybe for 2 or 3
But will you, till I call her back
take care of her for me?

She’ll bring her charms to gladden you and
(should her stay be brief)
you’ll always have her memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that she will stay
since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true,
And from the fold that crowd life’s land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give her all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to take
my pup back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord, They Will Be Done,”
For all the joys this pup will bring
the risk of grief you’ll run.
Will you shelter her with tenderness,
Will you love her while you may?
And for the happiness you’ll know
forever grateful stay?

But should I call her back
much sooner than you’ve planned,
please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
If, by your love, you’ve managed
my wishes to achieve,
In memory of her that you’ve loved,
cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,
and know she loved you too.

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.

I remember the day Krista got Piper, her ears standing tall, tail wagging, and happy to find her forever home. Over the years, she and my dog became best friends finding ways to have mischievous fun from jumping from bed to bed in the mountains, or getting chased away from trying to play with (hopefully not eat) chickens, or finding and rolling in every mud puddle possible to running away from the car as soon as we got everything packed to avoid the journey home. Piper had the longest tongue, the softest fur, the tallest ears, the squattest legs of any German Shepherd, and the biggest heart. She was always up for an adventure whether it was walking the streets of DC to see what kind of snack she could find or getting lost on hikes or going for a ride across town or across many state lines. Though Piper belonged to one of my best pals, I always thought of her as one of my own and am saddened to see her cross that Rainbow Bridge. She was a happy girl, and Krista gave her the best life anyone could every want. She will not be forgotten.

After almost 5 years with our beautiful Iris, she crossed the rainbow bridge on October 17, 2016. It has taken me 2 years to work up the strength to write her memorial.

When we adopted Iris, she was very skittish. She spent a lot of time with her tail tucked, especially when she heard loud noises. The longer she was with us, the more confident she became! She began to bark, play with her kitty sisters, and open up to become a less anxious dog. She was my special girl, my little shadow.

In May 2016, she seemed to have hurt her back leg. When we took her to the vet, he said it was probably a sprain. She seemed to improve and did not walk with a limp or act like she was in pain. In September, she started to limp again. We took her to a different vet, who ran tests and diagnosed Iris with bone cancer. By the time they found it, it had already metastasized to her lungs. In lieu of chemotherapy treatments, we decided to keep her comfortable and enjoy what time we had left with her. At every meal, there was an extra plate for her and we gave her lots of love with the time we had with her until we felt she would be in too much pain.

We are so thankful to the GSRA for the gift that they gave us. We didn’t have as much time with her as we would’ve wanted, but we are grateful for the time we had with her.