RIP 6/18/16 - 2/27/21
Ramey was a good, beautiful dog who was rescued from the shelter, fostered and adopted, developed serious medical issues and came back into foster care. Sadly his medical problems caused him to lose his life too early, but he was given much love and care with the rescue. 

Raven Stewart  Born 3/17/2014, Adopted 3/10/2018, Crossed Over 6/18/2021. 

I adopted Raven from VGSR on March 10, 2018 when she was nearly 4 years old. She was my second adopted shepherd after losing my beloved Sammie after 13 years. Raven was a big, beautiful, confident girl. She was a bit stubborn at first, wanting to do things her way in her time, earning herself the nickname "Knucklehead". She did eventually come to trust me and the bond was strong.  We spent a lot of time walking and hiking in Lake Fairfax Park and the paths here in Reston.   She loved to play fetch but I discovered early on that she had a passion for sticks as well.  Not just fetching them but breaking them up into small pieces. This could go on for several minutes and then she would stop and look up at me, so proud of her work!  I also discovered that she liked to swim one day when we stopped for a drink at the creek. I had hoped to get her to a place where she could swim freely off leash but, alas, we ran out of time.   

She was a big hit with my elderly Mother, accompanying me always on my semi-weekly visits. Mom would get her howling, another talent that Raven frequently engaged in upon hearing sirens. Raven was always happy to oblige earning a share of Mom's meal (a big no-no but how do you say no to a 93 yr old?). 

Raven accompanied me on a few other trips and was liked by every person she met.  Other dogs, not so much, but that was okay because she was an only dog. Late last fall I started noticing her favoring her left leg and she was diagnosed with a CCL tear.  She had surgery Dec 31st and after 2 months of recovery she was good as new, back to running and playing fetch. 

Things were great until mid May when her appetite started waning.  She was never terribly food motivated and would occasionally skip meals, but this was becoming too regular.  I took her to the vet and received the devastating news that her chest was full of cancer.  Two weeks later I let her go to cross over the rainbow bridge. 

We made a good team and I have a lot of memories to cherish.  She was my salvation during this last year of social isolation and I am forever grateful for her companionship.  I miss her by my side but she has left indelible footprints on my heart . I look forward to the day when we will be reunited.   Paula

We had him for 4 years and he was a very much loved member of our family. He was such a sweet and gentle soul and he passed peacefully during the night of November 16, 2021. It was unexpected even though he had some health issues, I thought we still had more time. He is no longer in pain. Thanks VGSR for saving him and allowing us to adopt him.

Our much beloved Rocky passed away peacefully here at home on his favorite bed on January 24th 2018. He was a wonderful companion and member of our family for almost 11 years. He was a beautiful boy in spirit and loved everyone and everyone loved him too. He was simply wonderful.    Pam

Dear Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, I am contacting you because I just wanted to say Thank you. I know I thanked you back in December 2012 when Rosy first came into our lives, but I need to say it again as Rosy recently (April 24, 2019) crossed the Rainbow Bridge due to bloat.

She was seriously the perfect girl for Neil and me. So loving and sweet and beautiful and the exact temperament and energy as her humans. A few years ago she developed a condition that required a surgery to have all her nails removed and required monthly checkups and several medications (Symmetric Lupoid Onychodystrophy / SLO), and we were so glad she was part of our family so that we could love her and take care of her through those trials, as she had been with us through our own. We got through that and she really got a pep in her step again over the last year or so. In fact, last summer Neil and I decided that we would plan our vacation completely around Rosy while she was feeling young and chipper. We traveled through the Shenandoah and West Virginia and North Carolina to stay in barns and yurts and in the woods so that she could hike until her heart was content. She LOVED LOVED LOVED hiking with us! So we went as much as we could as a family.

But on April 24, she bloated sometime in the middle of the night. We have been so very sad and at times lost without her, but at the same time so grateful that she was part of our lives for so long - almost 7 years. She was so loving and loyal. There will never be another soul like her. Thanks for all you do.     Rachel (and Neil) Ghadiali