Coda (Kasper)
GSRNE #304
2006 – March 2015  

I wanted to send you a note to let you know with great sadness that Valerie and I have had to say goodbye to Coda. He sustained a Carpal Hyperextension injury and fractures to both of his front legs. His prognosis was unfortunately not very good. The surgeon, due to his size and age, thought that surgery was probably not in Coda’s best interest. At best he would have a year or more of recovery and still might not be able to support himself and walk without pain.

Valerie and I made the very difficult choice to say goodbye to Coda, as we felt this was the best choice for him. Maybe not the best choice for us, as we miss him very much, and losing him has left a very large hole in our hearts. We loved Coda as a part of our family and he will always be in our hearts.

– Todd and Valerie

Snow White
GSRNE #281
2002 – March 2015 

  Snow White came to GSRNE as an owner surrender at age 7 in 2009, and she was adopted in January 2010. She was a beautiful girl and much loved by her original owner, who had to give her up due to illness. Her new family loved her, and will miss her dearly.  Rest in peace, sweet girl.

Storm GSRNE #247
2002? – 3/11/2015  

She came to us when she was 7 years old from a home where she was expected to stay under the kitchen table and out of the way when her owner was angry. (Something we can never understand…) When she came out one too many times he threatened to shoot her. Afraid he may do her harm someday the woman called GSRNE… She asked us to take her and place her in a home where she would be both loved and safe.

The minute we met her we fell in love… She was so pretty and very affectionate. Storm loved her belly rubs and her toys; she was great with other dogs and good with cats. We thought she was perfect! She was adopted by a wonderful family with children and an 8 year old GSD sister named Lilly. It brings us much comfort knowing she certainly had a lot of love and attention during the rest of her days… Her owner told us:

“I had hoped and prayed I would not have to write this email for some time yet. Unfortunately, Storm’s schedule was different than mine and, as such, the news I must share is bittersweet. I apologize for the delay in writing but it’s taken a couple of days to get to the point where I could even do this. On March 11th we had the incredibly painful task of having to let Storm go. The first sign was Lilly’s constant attention to Storm–she stayed by her side and snuggled with her throughout the journey. I’ve come to recognize this as a sign something is very wrong and usually the end is near. Ultimately, the boys and I felt allowing her to pass in peace was best for her. Lots of tears were shed and I held her throughout the procedure–she was never alone and was constantly reassured of our love for her. She was so incredibly sweet, trusting, calm, and peaceful throughout her ordeal… I have no doubt she knew all that was happening to her and for her. And was at peace with it all. Her remains will be returned to us later this week.”

“Until we meet again… You were loved more than you will ever know… You’re forever in our hearts.”
Love GSRNE’s ‘Storm’

Bella
GSRNE #162
? – 3/9/15 

Bella #162 crossed the bridge this Monday. She was a very sweet and kind girl. Bella came into our lives in 2004 and quickly became a big part of our family. At the time we adopted Bella we had a Shar Pei, Vinnie. They had so much fun together. Throughout the years Bella has helped us raise another Shar Pei, Sophia, and our current boxer, Cecil. We lost the Shar Peis much too young to Shar-Pei fever, but while they were with us, Bella had so much fun with them.

Good night dear Bella you will be missed so much.

Julee, Bob and Cecil

Pako
GSRNE #177
12/3/04 – 2/21/15 

My boy Pako lost his battle with leukemia this morning. My heart is broken. I adopted him almost 10 years ago. He was an awesome boy. He met so many people at GSRNE and GSRRC events. He helped me on many home checks for both prospective adopters and foster homes. He was a great ambassador for his proud breed. He was GSRNE 177, but to me he was my Pako Taco and papa’s best little boy. I will miss him terribly. There is a big hole in my heart. I want to thank all of you who prayed for him during his treatments. I held him right to the end. Run free baby boy. See you again someday.

This is our favorite photo of him… With his beautiful sister Riley playing fetch with their Dad on a warm summer day. Young, healthy and happy, thriving and so loved. You were so special to us. We will miss you Pako, you helped so many other dogs, rescues and shelters. It was our pleasure to share you with all of them. It helps our hurt knowing you’re with your sister at the bridge…

Cody
GSRNE #411
2006? – 2/22/2015 

Eleven days ago we happily announced that ‘Cody’ had been adopted. Today with great sadness we’ve been told he has CROSSED THE BRIDGE…

Cody had recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma but was doing well. His Mom told us this morning that Cody had been panting heavily through the night, didn’t want to eat yesterday morning and just lay down in the snow when she took him out to relieve himself. She brought him to the hospital and the doctor told her Cody was suffering from fluid pressing on his lungs and it was starting to build up in his abdomen. The doctor informed her that she could drain the fluid, but it would build up again. Then she asked the question we all dread hearing; “How much do you want to put him through?” Of course none of us ever want our beloved pets to suffer and she made the difficult decision to free him from his pain…

Last summer Cody was picked up as a stray by an ACO and when she took him to be examined by a vet; he had severe infections in both ears, bare spots on his back, neck and tail and was walking with difficulty. The ACO said she doubted anyone would be looking for him and would probably have to euthanize him when the 10 days were up. Fortunately for Cody, the vet knew that one of her clients is an active member of GSRNE and asked her to find out if we could help him. One of our members offered to be his temporary foster home, if we didn’t have one available, and we were able to bring him into our rescue in June. This member fostered Cody for 7 months and adopted him 11 days ago to make him her own. No adopter could have loved Cody more than she did. Always happiest just laying by her side with one of his toys.

Take care, little buddy. We’ll see you on the other side.

Dixie
GSRNE #263
2008 – 1/20/2015  

“Dogs just know when their loved… even at the end, when their pain becomes too much to bear and we help them to find rest.”

It is with great sadness that we announce that ‘Dixie’ GSRNE #263 has crossed the bridge. Adopted in June 2009, Dixie was 11 months old when she came to GSRNE. She was a beautiful black and red, playful pup who had lots of energy. She was smart, full of life and had so many great qualities — she was truly a wonderful girl. Her life was happy, filled with many get-togethers in the warm summer months by her family’s pool and daily walks and errands in the car. Sadly at just six years of age, she was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and passed over the rainbow bridge on January 20th.

Hearing a beloved dog has Hemangiosarcoma is about one of the worst things that can happen to any family/dog owner. The decision to end a life is never easy. It takes much courage. it’s a very hard and loving decision – letting go of a pet that has given so much love and companionship. We always hope our dogs, once adopted, will live a long happy life and pass of old age. Our sweet Dixie was not one of them but, we are grateful she had six happy years. We love you Dixie girl! Till we see you again… wait for us at the rainbow bridge.

Harmony
GSRNE #393
3/27/12 – 7/25/2019   

Click for more photos of Harmony
Password: Harmony

The GSRNE Family is heartbroken to announce that Harmony, GSRNE #393 crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this morning. All of us know only too well that the hardest part about owning a dog is having to say goodbye, and that goodbye often feels far too soon. Harmony’s passing was totally unexpected–nobody saw this coming for this sweet dog.

Update on 06/19/2015

Harmony had her annual check-up and vaccine update today, which prompted me to look back through her folder to when she first came into GSRNE  when she was one year old (DOB is 3/27/12).  At that time Harmony weighed only 50.2 pounds; her coat was dull, and she had diarrhea in the kennel where we had to board her until a foster home became available.  Even once she was in a foster home, she had diarrhea off and on and gained weight slowly.  We had blood work done on 8-17-13 to find out whether she might have EPI (although her stools were not typical of that) or some condition that caused malabsorbtion of food.   We changed her food to Science Diet ID and added Fortiflora and Tylan Powder and put her on Metronidazole.

She was slowly improving in foster care and was there for many months with no one asking to adopt her.  When her foster Mom could no longer keep her, we had to move Harmony to the boarding kennel again, and she began to lose ground.  Eventually, I moved her to my house, intending to foster her until the right adopter found her.  Months went by, and Ted and I could see that Killian (who we adopted in 2010) really liked her; and he had never played nicely with another dog as far as we had seen.  We realized that Harmony had been found by the right adopter and made it official  on June 5, 2014.  She’s still nervous around new people, but she’ll hang out quietly in her crate while getting used to a visitor.  When she comes out, she doesn’t want to be petted by the visitor but will go close enough to take a sniff and then move on.  Out in the fenced yard, she’ll try to get Killian to chase her; but he’s learned that she’ll be around the barn and back before he could get close.  Instead, he’ll pick up a Jolly Ball and wait for her to grab the other side for a game of tug.  In the house, she’s very affectionate and will put her front half onto my lap, or Ted’s, and push her head close for an ear rub.  I’m glad our rescue did whatever it took to save this sweet girl.

Adopted on 06/07/2014

Biography

When Harmony’s owner surrendered her to a shelter, she was pretty fearful but would warm up slowly as she got to know her caretakers.  She enjoyed playing in a group of dogs and had lots of energy; but it became evident that her elbows would hurt afterwards.  An examination revealed the need for elbow surgery so that would not continue to happen.  Once GSRNE had a foster home available and agreed to take in Harmony, the surgery was performed and she was moved into a real home after four months at the shelter.

There were two other dogs in the foster home, and they helped Harmony to fit in and feel at ease.  She was on restricted activity while her elbows healed, and she grew to enjoy being handled and cuddled by her foster Mom and Dad.  Gradually, she was able to become more active and eventually was allowed to run and play the way she had been itching to do.  She loves to fetch a tennis ball and will run right back to you so you can throw it for her again.  Once she’s comfortable with a new person, she’ll show you her silly side and will wriggle and turn in circles during a good back rub.

Harmony needed gradual socialization around other people as she continued to learn that only good things will happen.  Attending a group obedience class helped her with that; she’s quickly learnt new things and already knows basic commands plus how to touch your hand with her paw on request.  She does enjoy getting treats, and they help her focus on the task at hand.  She is ready to meet the adopter who will show her patience and love and help her become the happy, silly, fun-loving girl she was meant to be.

UPDATE 11/01/13:  We decided to do a DNA test on Harmony to see what she may be mixed with and found that she is 3/4 GSD and 1/4 Finnish Spitz.  An interesting combination for her, and this girl is very sweet, goofy, and always happy!

Simba
GSRNE #302
3/1/2002 – 9/2/2014 

Simba and Tomas

You came into our lives and we have never been the same. It took ten months before we became friends but we continued to build mutual trust and respect for each other in every passing year. Our relationship became strong and loving and we miss you every day. You taught us so much for which we will forever be grateful.  We love you. 

Chris and Tomas

Simba