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

VGSR sends condolences to Bobbie Cascio on the sudden loss of Apollo on August 4th, '03. He collapsed and was rushed to the vet for emergency intestinal surgery, but did not survive. He was an awesome dog! Apollo demonstrated all the good qualities the German Shepherd represents: intelligence, loyalty, good-looks, curiosity and humor. He was only 1.5 years old and quite tall. He was doing quite well in his foster home despite having a pancreas insufficiency known to German Shepherds. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

You entered our lives in Aug 09.  Since that first day we have shared so much together, the walks, playing ball, car rides, obedience training, sharing the bed and couch along with fighting you for the
pillow. The love that you gave to me will never ever be forgotten.  With all the joy that you brought to us, we learned so very much from you, you lived for the moment, made every moment a very happy fun filled moment. You amazed me in the short time that we were together the fight that you had in you that will to go on no matter what.

Aries, I want you to know that I officially adopted you on paper, although everyone knew that you and I were inseparable you were meant to be with us.  I wanted you to know that I love you more then ever.  I want you to have the best of everything, sending you to the Rainbow Bridge will take away the illness that you have, there is food there that you can eat, lots of other dogs for you to play with. Be free of all the sickness and live life to the fullest sweet boy. Mommy loves you so very much….many kisses.

VGSR sends deepest sympathies to VGSR Volunteers Arlene and John Ladusky on the passing of Nike on April 12, 2008. Arlene writes, "At 1:00pm on April 12, 2008, Nike went to the Bridge after a long battle with Caude Equina Syndrome/ Degenerative Myelopathy. She could barely control her back end any longer and it was clear she was becoming frustrated and unhappy. While I didn't see "the look" that so many people speak of when it's time, I could tell she was tired. She got to eat hamburger, sushi, green peppers (her favorite), and a strawberry ice cream sundae. Even at the vet, as the sedative kicked in, she was still munching on green peppers. While the vet administered the last medication, John sat in front of Nike, stroking her paws, and I held her head in my lap and told her how much I loved her and how sorry I was that I couldn't do more for her. There was no last gasp, no hiccup, nothing. She just slowly closed her eyes and was gone. I am completely devastated but at the same time I feel a sense of peace, something I was not expecting. I know the coming weeks will be hard while adjusting to prepping two meals instead of three, waiting for two dogs to come in instead of three, etc., but the vet and John both assured me I'd gone above and beyond to try to help her and letting her go was the right thing to do. I'm going to cuddle with my boys now."

Arlene

VGSR sends deepest regrets to Jim and Karen Bruns on the passing of Ashby and Baka on July 12, 2008. Jim and Karen write,

"Hello All,

Many of you have already heard that Baka and Ashby joined their stillborn sister at the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday. It seems the reason they could not walk were many. They both had very serious congenital birth defects of the joints, heart and other places. The house feels empty without them. Princess is doing okay, she was already spending more time away from them in the days before they died. Please remember them in your prayers."

Jim and Karen Bruns

VGSR extends deepest sympathies to to Richard and Cheryl Anderson on the sudden loss of Aslan on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Aslan, the brave little lion-dog, went to the Rainbow Bridge on Saturday at about 4:00 pm. The immediate cause was an enlarged heart and complications therefrom ... the real cause was probably the health conditions caused by time spent on his own after he was abandoned. Rich and Cheryl tried their best to save him. He started to decline on Tuesday, rallied a bit after a trip to the vet, and had to be rushed to the emergency vet this morning. They drained the fluid from around his heart but it returned quickly, and his blood pressure dropped sharply. Rich and Cheryl made the difficult decision to let him go. In the brief time that they had him, Aslan lived a life we would all envy. He was deeply loved and cared for not only by Rich and Cheryl, but by his vet, his groomer, his trainer and his many friends both human and canine.

VGSR sends deepest condolences to longtime VGSR Volunteer Susan Lynch and her family on the loss of Athenia on March 30, '09. Susan writes, "This afternoon we made the very difficult decision to send sweet Athenia to the Bridge - she was 14 and 1/2. Athenia had been declining over the past year due to degenerative myelopathy. Athenia was a lovely grey-muzzled girl with unmatched dignity from the day that we took her into foster care - as a 12 year old. She had been put out of her home after 12 years and left as a stray on the street. The local animal shelter recognized her and knew that she had been with a family for her entire life. When we brought Athenia into our home we found her to be loving and affectionate with people, truly great with cats and "assertive" with dogs. Athenia quickly settled into life with us and was always affectionate and grateful for her human time. She had beautiful brown/dark blue eyes that danced whenever she got a tummy rub. Athenia was adopted out after about six months with us - but was returned to us after only a few months because she was starting to show signs of getting old. We took Athenia back and pledged to her that she would remain with us for the rest of her life where she would certainly be loved, appreciated, and safe. After giving her a few days to enjoy the Spring sun, flowers and wind - we sent her to the Bridge where her dignity will be forever intact and she will escape the limits of her disease. We miss you sweet girl."

Love,

Susan, Fran and Sophia

VGSR sends condolences to John and Nancy Streeter on the passing of Baka on June 03, 2008. John writes, "Baka passed peacefully about 4:30 while cuddled with Nancy and me. After seeing the her condition, there was no doubt that it had to be done. Our vet sat and cried with us as she shared our feelings of us all losing a battle we did not want to lose. Nancy reminded me that we have several hundreds of dollars of meds from Baka and we would like to donate them so they don't go to waste. I thought you might have some ideas about how to facilitate this. I might wait unit the weekend to send you a complete list and amounts, etc., but we hope that they could help a sick GS that might be surrendered to VGSR or anyone struggling with vet costs. Thanks for you thoughts and prayers. They are a comfort to Baka and all who care for her."

John

Dear VGSR, I am writing to let you know of the recent death of our beloved Bandit, whom we adopted through you

six years ago. Bandit, formerly known as Foster, was the love of our lives and we are feeling a little lost without him.

When my son and I adopted him, not much was known about him other than that he was rescued from a kill shelter in

Georgia. I don't know that he had ever lived in a house, walked on a leash or known any human kindness. He was

VGSR extends condolences to Jenn Beeman and her family on the loss of Bear. Jenn writes, "We wanted to let you know about the loss of our dog Bear #3 on May 30, 2009. He began to have trouble with his left knee a few months ago. After taking medication for a few days he was pretty much back to normal. Then he started limping again and got better again. A couple of weeks ago he couldn’t put any weight on his leg and was in pain despite the medication. The vet suspected that he had a bone tumor. We made the difficult decision to let him go and free him from his pain. We adopted Bear in June of 2003. He came to live with us and our female GSD, Mickey. Bear Boy happily accompanied us on our many adventures - our move to New Orleans, our evacuation for Hurricane Katrina to Colorado where our first daughter was born, our return to New Orleans, the birth of our second daughter and finally our move to Missouri. He loved food and to cuddle, in fact he was addicted to them both. He also loved going on walks and barking. He was a great family protector and companion we all miss him very much. Thank you for this wonderful dog that you brought into our lives, there will never be another like him."

Jenn, Doc, Alex, Annabel and Mickey

Karen Murto (one of our fosters who always lends a hand with young puppies) and her family, lost their beloved 14 year old Shepherd mix, Bear Bear, on January 19th, '02. Bear Bear was a wonderful dog who was held dear in the heart of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Our hearts go out to Karen and her family.

VGSR extends our deepest symphathy to Glenda DaCosta and her family on the untimely loss of their beloved foster dog, BeBe. BeBe stole the heart of everyone who met her. She was being treated for heartworm, and even though she was getting weaker and weaker following the treatment, she always had a big wag and smiles for her entire foster family (4-legged ones, too). BeBe, you were loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew you. Run now and play like we know you wanted to, but were too sick!

Sue (VGSR's Secretary), Ed, and Carolena Garrison's Cocker Spaniel, Bentley, died suddenly on Monday, July 16th, '01. We all send our condolences to Sue and her family.

VGSR sends condolences to Brenda and Rick Daniel in Yorktown on the loss of Bonnie. Brenda writes: "We lost our "Bo Bear" Bonnie on February 20, 2006 at 13 years old. Half-toothless, Bonnie was delivered to our front door in 2003 at 10 years of age because her owners no longer wanted her. She first went to live with my daughter Dawn and family. Bonnie loved the children, played miniature golf with them and never missed the school van pool and jumped aboard their van everyday. They would get to school and she would bark out the van window as if to announce their arrival and she was there protecting "her" family. Dawn's family then moved to NC to a second floor apartment which was impossible for Bonnie to climb steps all the time so she came back to Rick and me. Our formal dining room became Bonnie's room complete with her own toddler bed, favorite bones and French doors. But Bonnie did not like her K-9 siblings so she had to play only with us. She especially loved to follow Rick all around the yard and pool but only after she stepped outside and barked to announce to our neighbors she was outside and again watching her family. Her aging limbs were beginning to give up on her so she would play lying on her back showing us her big toothless grin and giving lots of kisses. Bonnie even would snarl and smile at the same time when we would give her raspberries. Rick liked to gently pinch her cheeks and say "fat pads" until Bonnie grinned, wiggled and would fall over with joy. She always made us laugh with that happy face. We had her on many medications, chondrotin, glucosamine, rymadyl and also had a brace to support her weakening hind legs. Her last week with us her rear completely collapsed due to degenerative myopathy and we were out of options. Her face was full of confusion as her legs kept giving out and making her fall forced us into the decision to let our girl go on to Rainbow Bridge. Dawn, Rick and I all held Bonnie close to us and talked quietly to her as she left this world. We all love her, miss her so and pray she is now with our beloved shepherd Lucky who had inspired us almost 5 years ago to foster/rescue GSD's with VGSR. We will be with you again, "Bo Bear". Our love will not keep us apart forever."

Brenda Daniel

VGSR sends deepest condolences to Carolina Valenzuela on the loss of Brandi on November 10th, '03. Carolina writes, "As if it was not hard enough losing Breeze back in August. Now I lose Brandi, her sister, to a massive abcess beyond repair. Brandi, like her sister Breeze, will always have a very special spot in my heart. I will never forget her. I think I have no tears left in my eyes. She was a very special little girl who up to the last minute, in all the pain she must have been going through, still had the strength to wag her tail and give me kisses. Rest in peace my little angel. :( "