Athena Justagirl Haus Juris: January 10, 2003-February 24, 2015. I loved  you every day.

I am very sad to write that Athena Justagirl Haus Juris was sent to the  bridge Tuesday night at age 12 due to a very sudden case of bloat. She went  painlessly in my arms, guided along by the nicest vet I've ever dealt with.  She was brave and good and gave me goodbye kisses. Her auntie Liz--she is  Kiera's mommy from the book; Kiera went to the bridge herself this past  May--was with us and was a rock star (her auntie Wendy, from Ruby's barn,  was also a huge help). I feel like I've been in a car wreck- my whole body  is howling in grief.

I couldn't have asked for a better buddy, playmate, nurse, child, mother  and bodyguard rolled into one glamorous, impossibly beautiful package. We  were each other's hearts and would have taken a bullet for the other.

True story--on Athena's last night, she mustered up the strength to rise  from her bed, wearing her walking harnesses, hunched in pain, and bark  menacingly at a pair of solicitors at my door who I turned away and who  before she did that, weren't keen on leaving. Our last full night together
she stood vigilant to protect me, as she had her whole life. Our last half  night together I stood vigilant (as much as I could) to gently usher her to  the next chapter.

Athena was welcomed at the bridge by Kiera, Carman, Kaiser, Alistair,  Finnegan, and best of all... Kashka. Your first kitty's been waiting,  babygirl.

Cat Needham

Baka (VGSR 1951) was adopted in 2008 knowing that she was very ill. Her VGSR foster care givers worked tirelessly to help her with her illness. I (John) was battling my chronic Lyme disease and I had hoped we’d get better together. Before her rapid decline, Baka did have several good weeks with us. It is the memory of those weeks that help us with the sad times that followed. With that in mind I have enclosed a picture of her on a “good day” when she was able to “prance” in her gel booties without any noticeable pain and just enjoy being a dog. As part of her illness parts of her footpads had sloughed off.   

Additionally, because Baka was so brave and a long-term foster care dog in Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, the news of her passing spread quickly and a couple of foster-parents that had two of their own German Shepherds were about to have pups. They asked Nancy and I if they could name the female pup “Baka.” We could not think of a better way to honor her as she was so sweet, gentle and courageous in spite of being in pain and uncomfortable. Baka’s namesake is the pup on the right. Sadly, both pups soon crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge as well.

Her meds were donated to a vet that VGSR uses so that any surrendered GSD’s could get help with any care needed. Baka’s bravery was an inspiration and even though we lost her battle we have no regrets and are grateful to all her fosters, veterinary staff of several veterinary hospitals, and all those who cared for her wellbeing. Her brave, gentle spirit will always be with us.

John and Nancy Streeter

Beau crossed “The Rainbow  Bridge” just recently after over 14 years of a great life. He was a long hair GSD found roaming the streets of  Baltimore and rescued by a small GSD rescue organization in Elkton MD. He was a kind, loving and devoted companion to my wife and I. We have had several GSD’s over the last 35 years, but Beau was the smartest and most loving of them all.

 My beloved wife, Marie Skelley, passed away a month before Beau crossed the bridge so I know that she was on the other side waiting for her beloved companion to be reunited in the love that they shared for so many years. I guess that God decided that Marie needed Beau more than I did.

Jerry Betzler

RIP 5/22/2023
Bella was a beautiful sable German Shepherd who came to live with me in October of 2019, she was 7 years old and was being taken care of by a foster family. Bella’s human had passed away and so that’s how I met her.  She was a gentle and loving companion and partner, went with me wherever I went with only two exceptions. She went to a training camp for 5 days and once I went skiing in Utah, learning that I hated being away from her.  So that mistake was not made again.  In fact, the next year I took her with me to ski at Wintergreen.

She came to work with me every day.  If I dawdled in the morning, she’d keep coming to me to let me know it was time to take a shower and go to work.  And as soon as I got up to go get ready, she’d get so excited, running to and from the door back to me…she knew we were going to ride in the car and she would bark at the cars that went by and of course any doggies we passed.

And when we pulled up next to people, they would always smile and say how lovely she was, even while barking constantly.  She made people smile.

She loved riding in the car so much, sometimes when we got home at night, she’d refuse to get out of the car, just laying down and looking up at me with eyes that said ‘please daddy, just a little more ride?’ which meant I had to drive her around some more, which I did because she loved it so much and I loved her too.

When it was her birthday or Christmas, she got special treats and gifts from her friend Teresa, and one birthday we invited a little dog Romeo and his humans for a birthday party!  She loved kids too, like my friend’s daughters and my cousin Jim’s daughter.

Bella loved our co-workers on the job and she almost never tried to bite my partner Fez. Every morning she’d go to the front of the office and get cookies, then go to the middle room to get cookies, then back to her bed in my office, still hoping for more cookies.

She’d lay at my feet on the bed every night for those few but wonderful years she was with me, She would always wake me up in the morning until the very end, when she was too tired to get up.

She was loyal and would never let me leave a room without following me, she was my beautiful little guardian and just as life was never the same before her time with me, it will never be the same again.

I told her before she passed that I would be going to find her, that she should not be afraid and that she will see me again soon.  I truly love her with all my heart.

RIP 4/25/14 - 3/22/20
Bella came into rescue 4/17/19 as an owner surrender. She had chronic hair loss and skin issues, which began to improve in foster care. Sadly cancer took her before she could find a forever home, but she had the best of care and lots of love until she passed.