VGSR sends deepest condolences to Fran Comstock and her family on the loss of Ajax. Fran writes, "I have found it very difficult to pass on to you the unfortunate news about Ajax. He expired very unexpectedly just before labor day in 2007 (yes, more than a year ago). It has been very painful for both Phil and me, and each time I attempted to put together a note to you, I was unable to write the words.

The best information we could gain about Ajax’s demise was that he had an aggressive cancer, one that is fairly common among German Shepherds. I believe he had it for no more than about two months, as that is how long I observed a number of subtle changes in him. Unknown to us, an internal mass very quickly took hold inside. Our vet completely failed to detect it or diagnose the problem. Ajax’s demise came suddenly when the mass ruptured internally. He died in our arms as we raced to the hospital. Nothing could be done for him. It hurts still to think about it.

We loved Ajax dearly. He came to us after having suffered such terrible abuse. I learned from living and working with him that he had been hit, he had been kicked, he had been neglected, and except for the brief period he spent with you, he had not known love or the sense of belonging with a pack. Whoever had him before you also did not understand, and did not resolve, his digestive ailment (and this may well have been the reason for the physical abuse). We gave him love, acceptance, leadership, a life of variety and fun, and made him feel safe. It took about a year to figure out his ailment was an allergy to wheat, and so we took care of that issue and brought him to excellent physical health. He rewarded us with unconditional love and endless laughs, and through his courage and amazing intellect, he overcame almost all his old trauma. Almost every night the three of us would have a group snuggle on the floor, and Ajax would make this groaning howling noise, unable to contain his emotions. He was the smartest dog I have ever known. He amazed me by how much he understood about us and everything around him, and I was looking forward to many more years of mutual happiness and our bond becoming ever more profound. His last day was a very happy one, with lots of playing and laughing. Losing him was horrible.

We missed Ajax so much that within a few months, we decided to adopt another dog. It seemed pointless to wait for grief to abate. At the time, the thought of another German Shepherd was unbearable. We adopted a Belgian shepherd (Malinois) that we found at the Washington DC animal shelter. He looks like a little lion and we named him Leo. He was six to eight months old when we brought him home, and I spent countless hours in the past year training and socializing him. He has many characteristics of a German Shepherd, i.e. smarts, attentiveness to humans, fearlessness, but he is unusually independent, confident, and stubborn. After almost a year, all the training is starting to become evident, as Leo becomes increasingly more affectionate and obedient. If he grows up to be half the dog Ajax was, we will consider ourselves the lucky ones.

I am sorry to pass along the sad story of Ajax. You should know that he was very special, and by fostering him, you did a great deed for a dog who truly deserved it. Your commitment to fostering is good work, for both dogs and their future human companions."

Best wishes

Fran Comstock