Willi
GSRNE #499
2/14/2009 – 6/2020   

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our very sweet boy, Willi. It took us by surprise and it hit us hard. We had come to nickname him “Brother,” as he and Magnum were often causing mischief together, like good brothers do. Their morning wrestling matches were a ritual that both enjoyed tremendously, although the overturned chairs, dishes, and humans weren’t always thrilled about them.

Although we only had him in our lives for a short period, he brought us and his brother much happiness and joy. He was doing fine, except for his back end suffering from DM, just like his brother. However, what was most likely an aggressive, fast-moving cancer overtook him. Although it was a sudden shock for us, we are comforted in knowing that he did not suffer. He was his lovable and trouble-making self right up to the end. We know he’s somewhere waiting to chase his brother once again and grab his back leg (more or less gently) in his teeth. To watch them both together was always a joy. We miss him terribly, as does Magnum.

Date Adopted: 6/24/2018

Willi came to GSRNE outside of the usual procedure. We first met him and his owner at a Santa Photo event at Petco and noticed Willi’s calm, gentle nature. His owner is in the military and volunteered to help GSRNE while in this area. Eighteen months later, he had to move on and was not able to have Willi go with him, so one of our GSRNE families offered to become a temporary foster home. This is not something we can normally do, but their male GSD, Magnum, was fine with having Willi’s company. It has worked out so well, that the owner asked the foster family if they would like to adopt Willi, who is now 9 years old, because he is still not able to have Willi with him on deployment. He has been visiting Willi every few months and could see that Willi feels very much at home where he is. So, at the Picnic, we signed the Adoption Contract that gave Willi his GSRNE number, 499, and confirmed that he is in his forever home. We are very happy that we were here for Willi, for his owner and for his and Magnum’s forever family!

Dakota
GSRNE #295
2009 – 2/7/2020

With the heaviest of hearts, we said goodbye to Dakota (GSRNE #295) on Friday morning, just shy of ten years after he first came to us as a foster dog in April 2010.

Dakota had been found at 6-9 months old, wandering the streets of Lynn, Massachusetts in the rain, with no chip and no tags, by a woman with a dog of her own, five cats, and a tiny apartment. No one claimed him, and he stayed with her for another 6-9 months. She named him, lightly trained him and very effectively housebroke him, and nurtured his calm but exuberant personality. When Dakota became too large and rambunctious for her living situation, she called GSRNE. We fostered Dakota, and what impressed us about him, in addition to his beauty, was his outgoing nature, his confidence (which, until GSRNE sponsored his neutering, could have veered into overconfidence and dominance), and his acute intelligence. Within days, we knew that we wanted to make him part of our family and were thrilled when our adoption application was approved. What followed was almost ten amazing years in which Dakota became a constant companion (I work from a home office) and seamless part of our lives. Appropriately protective, yes, but also very sociable and collegial with people and other dogs. Dakota loved the dog park and would specifically ask me to walk him there every afternoon. A woman with a Border Collie pup came up to me one day and said, “You know, I was bitten by a German shepherd when I was a little girl, and I’ve been terrified of them all my life. Until I met Dakota.” She became one of his dog-sitters.

Dakota was blessed with good health. He did have a benign mast-cell tumor removed from his neck in 2013. In late 2018, his hind quarters showed signs of weakness; we feared DM but the vet ruled it out and diagnosed a pinched nerve in his lower spine. Acupuncture, mild pain meds and cold laser therapy worked wonders. But about six weeks ago, he began to show signs of decline. His back end was weaker and he had intermittent spells of loss of appetite, then gastro issues and incontinence. Nothing abnormal showed up on his tests, and he always rallied from these spells. But about two weeks ago, we noticed swelling in his abdomen, which turned out to be blood from a hemangiosarcoma which originated in his spleen and spread to his liver. For almost a week, Dakota responded well to the Yunnan Baiyao herbal supplement prescribed by our veterinarian. He had five good days after diagnosis: appetite, energy, play drive, keenness. Then came the downturn, which could not be arrested.

Like all GSDs, Dakota had a large and unique personality. He combined the best qualities of all the German shepherds in my life who have come before. Although we were companions, not police or military, we had a tremendous partnership, always making eye contact and communicating through our expressions, body language, unspoken behaviors and vocalization. He taught me things that reinforce important qualities like loyalty, persistence, love, commitment and playfulness. A dog who had been thrown away as a puppy in many ways rescued me.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Adopted: June 9, 2010

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Password: Dakota

Daisy
GSRNE #292
2006? – 5/2019   

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Password: Daisy

The Rainbow Bridge has welcomed another GSRNE Angel. Daisy was a dog who was happiest playing with her ball. Oh how she loved that ball… Everyday this sweet girl would enthusiastically wait at the door patiently with her ball for Mom & Dad to take her out to play fetch. She also loved going on walks to the park, and riding in the car. Her family loved her dearly and would spoil her with homemade cooked food at mealtimes, and allowed her on the couch where she would eagerly watch her birds and squirrel friends through the window. She was a cherished member of their family and is missed by all.

Adopted: April 24, 2010

Kurt
GSRNE #319
2011 – 3/15/2019   

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Password: Kurt   

With heavy hearts we had to say goodbye to our sweet goofy boy Kurt. He had started to lose function of his back legs which quickly led to his bowels and bladder no longer working. Kurt joined our family as a foster needing special treatment, and who eventually earned the nickname “Moose” due to his large size. Before being dropped off at the original shelter, he had suffered from a poorly healed fracture of his leg, which caused some immobility issues. He had unfortunately contracted MRSA from his stay at the Humane Society and needed heavy treatment. Unfortunately the infection plagued him throughout his life, going away for some time then coming back when his allergies would flare, requiring intense treatment each time. He was a fighter though, he pushed through everything he faced, even with his legs were giving up on him. He never missed a chance to wash your face or yell at the TV when an animal was on it. Upon arriving to our home he met and took immediately to his sister Nela #305. When they first met, he loved to try to get her attention, much to Nela’s frustration. Eventually his best buddy Rookie (an Old English lab) moved in, which delighted him to no end, since he now had a friend who loved to play with him and who Kurt could “torment.” We didn’t know what to expect from our clumsy moose upon the arrival of our son, but Kurt fell in love with him, watching over him as he slept and keeping an eye on him when he played. Two years later he went on to do the same for our daughter, who became Kurt’s favorite person, since she loved to share her food with him (even when she had to go find where he was sleeping!). Kurt was a cherished member of our family and he will be greatly missed.

Maggie Moo
GSRNE #286
2009 – 2/21/2019   

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Password: Maggie Moo

Maggie Moo (originally known as Ferri) was one of GSRNE’s “F Litter” puppies. When we took her mom, Freida, into GSRNE, we did not know Freida was expecting pups!

Maggie joined her loving family in February 2010. She loved to antagonize the cats, chew things (not always the items she she was supposed to chew), go for walks, ride in the car, and hike in the woods and down by the river. She even went for a ride in a kayak! Maggie loved her playtime at the dog park and she would gravitate to the other German Shepherds! Her favorite toy was the flexible Frisbee she was given as a “new baby” gift. Her family tells us that Maggie was a wonderful friend, confidant, workout partner, protector, and a kind of a workout instructor for the cats. Sadly, sweet Maggie Moo was only 9 years old when she crossed the Bridge due to cancer. Rest in peace, dear girl.

Parker
GSRNE #285
2008 – 1/10/2019   

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Password: Parker

Our dear Parker has passed away. Parker was about a year old when he came into GSRNE, after having lived in a basement. His paws had never even touched grass and he had to learn that that walking on grass was okay. Parker was much loved by his adoptive family who gave him a wonderful life. He had been diagnosed with DM (degenerative myelopathy) several months prior to his passing, but he had been doing well. He died quietly one night, at the age of 10 years old. We’ll miss you, good buddy.

Adopted: February 5, 2010