Kodiak George
12/18/2009 -
6/22/2018

Kodiak you are my best friend for eternity and then some. The world is a much better place because you were here. You gave so much to us and I hope you felt the same in return. Your loyalty, love and bravery are legendary Kodi. The nine years you were with us were the best years of my life. If I could of cured your cancer I would of in a heartbeat. Thank you for rescuing me Kodiak, thank you for accepting me and thank you for being my best friend. You showed me what true love is. Kodiak you touched so many people and animals with your kind gentle soul and we all greatly miss your presence here. When it is my time to cross over I hope you are the first person I see Kodiak.
I love you forever Kodiak.

Best friends always,
David

Kolt first came into our lives at the age of 11. He had a sad past of abuse and neglect. This included being surrendered to Animal Control with a 6-pound benign tumor on his shoulder and his nails trimmed so short a vet had to be called in to administer pain meds. My wife had first met him as “Sarge” at the annual VGRS Golf Tournament as he was recovering from the removal of the large tumor. Subsequently, we did a meet and greet with his future pack-mate Kaya (also a VGSR pooch) and all went well. Upon adopting him and finally getting to take him home he was a bit reserved and it took a while for him to realize he was in his forever home. He needed some dental and other surgery to repair and correct some residual effects of his abuse and neglect. He made a good recovery and became very protective of his home and packmate by challenging any critters that happened to invade our home on the television screen, especially horses and camels. He also taught us how to play Kolt-ball, which entailed retrieving a ball while he barks, placing it in front of him and then mock fighting for possession of the ball. He was a very brave soul and often stoic with his residual pain, but never grumpy. We learned to read him and give him pain meds when necessary. He learned that he was loved, and he expressed his love for his forever home and family. He grieved when he lost his pack-mate who had to be put down at the age of 16 due to failing health. In his 15^th month with us he suddenly lost interest in eating and was taken to an emergency vet. Sadly, they discovered a Canine cancer that put him at risk for an immediate suffering death, so to spare him that it was decided to ease him into peace. He passed away with both of us at his side assuring him that he was loved. We are thankful to VGSR for helping Kolt find his way to our home and hearts for 15 months and blessing us with his kind sweet spirit. Our hearts are broken, but we hope that he was met by our pack of pooches that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, especially Kaya, who he continued to look for every time he went outside. Thank you Kolt for your love and laughs, until we meet again.

John and Nancy Streeter

Kumo (VGSR 2203, AKA “GG” which stood for Good Girl) was found as a stray in 2008. She had been abused and her damaged shoulders and hips were never tended to and caused her to walk with some difficulty. Her age could only be estimated as she had worn her teeth down in frustration, probably from being kept in a small enclosure. She was adopted by us in the summer of 2008 and became fast friends with Kage who was also adopted a few weeks earlier, and he too had a sad history. She was stoic and loyal and often gave a canine smile and head flick when she was happy. She set the rules for her pack – no running was allowed in the house. She would yelp her displeasure at one or both of her male pack mates until they stopped.  Kumo was also lovingly stubborn and got a twinkle in her eye when acting so. When an older (11-year-old) GSD with DM joined the pack she remained on the first floor of our home with him throughout the night when he was no longer able to navigate the steps to the second floor. Even after his passing she slept by his spot for a few days before joining us in our bedroom. It should be noted that from the beginning she had to be assisted up the stairs, but always wanted to be with her family/pack.

She successfully beat her first bout with cancer, being in remission for 6 months. When the cancer returned she reacted poorly, even to very conservative treatment targeting her pain.  A bit stingy in showing affection she displayed the surprising depth of her love when we had to leave her for one night at a vet E.R. due to dehydration. She did not hold back at all again when we took her home the next day. Sadly, the downhill slide ended on June 11, 2012 when she was eased into peace by our vet while we cradled her. The most difficult part was that she never gave up, but her body failed to keep up with her strong spirit that never lost that twinkle in her eye. Kumo will always be in our hearts, but missed so much.  Thank you, Girl, for the love and laughs that you shared with us.

John and Nancy Streeter

January 25, 2010 – April 24, 2021

It was a beautiful day.  Quiet, unassuming, seemingly like any other day.  Yet, special and amazing beyond imagining that would remain always special.  Who knew one could ever love or learn so much from a humble creature, an animal, a dog, we named Leo.  Turns out he was a “Great” like his patron of whom he took his name, St. Leo The Great.

We are forever grateful to God, Herbert (Leo’s Foster Dad), and Virginia German Shepherd Rescue for this amazing gift that we received in Leo and the awesome journey we shared that touched our hearts and changed our lives.  A most unexpected surprise that lit up our lives and taught us how to live and love gracefully every moment to the fullest even until the last, that life is short, to enjoy the journey and to not be afraid. 

The journey actually began before we even found Leo.  I had been hearing from my husband since we met about how he was going to get a German Shepherd and take him everywhere with him, along with all the places and plans; to the mountains, the beach, parks, trails, adventures, travels, everywhere.  And he was going to call him “Leo”.  That was going to be his name, and he wanted to get him a chew toy elephant.  I had never ever heard of a dog toy elephant, so wished him good luck with that one!  Several years went by and I was still hearing the same stories about this German Shepherd he was going to get and take everywhere and buy a toy elephant.  Then one day, what do ya know, we are in a clothing store and come across a small home décor and ever so small pet dog section that had several rope dog toys and there it was; the toy elephant!  In faith, of course, we had to get it, because what are the chances!  There are no coincidences, only divine providence!  It would be for our German Shepherd. 

It would be another year before we met our Leo!  Then the day came, he showed up on the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue website, all bright eyed and smiling like anything in his mug shot!  He was the one! Seems it was love at first sight, my husband assured me he was the one.  His name at the time with the Rescue was Froyd.  Being an animal lover and having grown up with several dogs, cats and even a rabbit, I had known my share of heartbreak in having outlived them all and at some point decided I didn’t want to go through that grief again and somewhat detached, really did not want another pet.  However, as days and weeks went by and finally after several months, at seeing my husband’s desire to have a German Shepherd, we embarked on the trip to meet “Froyd” AKA Leo.

He was a BIG boy!  About 95 pounds at the time, he was strong, and a bit stubborn. He’d just ignore you if he wasn’t interested in what you had to say or where you wanted to go. Lol!  He was quiet and laidback unless annoyed, and very independent / autonomous; just wanted to be left alone, do his own thing and chill.  That was all appealing to us but I was very intimidated by his sheer size and strength.  But he was always a smooth operator even without trying and a head turner; handsome and beautiful at the same time! So, we went to visit him again and ended up bringing him home for sort of an impromptu trial visit.  Being pretty unprepared and uncertain at taking on the big new responsibility we took him back the next day.  Well, too late, he had already made a big impression on us.  I cried when we had to drop him off and part, and my husband and I were both lost without him and begged to get him back and adopt him.  The blessing at a second chance cleared any doubts, and we knew he was the one and that we were ready to commit!  And what a tremendous blessing indeed!  We spent every day together thereafter! 

Leo adapted very well and we took him everywhere with us; vacations, day and weekend trips, family visits, everywhere.  If it wasn’t a dog friendly atmosphere or kind of place Leo would feel most comfortable in, we didn’t go.  He LOVED car rides and road trips!!!  He loved his dog car seat cover that created a hammock like cradle for him in the whole back seat; with blanket and pillow, he was all set.  In his later days, when he wasn’t able to take walks, we would take him out just for a ride and he loved it!  He loved open fields and trips to the park as well as the Shenandoah Mountains, Big Meadows and the beach.  He loved a routine which adapted with the weather and changing seasons.  We all looked forward to meals and even daily tea time together which was for him, usually his favorite (peanut butter and frozen green beans).  He was very punctual as well and would remind me if I was late for tea time! He was a foodie with allergies so fit in perfectly with us.  He got special cooked meals and treats since he couldn’t enjoy many of the treats that other dogs do.  Leo had a chronic ear infection since he was a puppy it seems which hurt him all the time in varying degrees.  He endured daily ear drops and rounds of medicines but was a champ about it and always pressed on, no matter how he felt and always made the best of it.  He was overjoyed with the littlest things, be it a treat, trip to the park, or car ride.  He was such a gentleman and very early on, always turned around to wait for me “mom”, if I was more than a few steps behind.  He liked his pack to always be together! He was exceptionally well behaved in the house and with us and so quickly earned free range to the whole house, earning his own spot on the sofa and eventually even on the bed.  Since Leo had an ear condition, he didn’t seem to hear well and excelled at reading subtleties, facial expressions and hand signals.  As our bond grew, we could communicate without words.  He was truly gifted.  Besides all the great times and joy he brought us, he was right there through all the tough times and proved to be a tremendous source of consolation and comfort also, especially during my mom’s decline from dementia/Alzheimer’s and her passing last year.  So, whether it was fun time on a road trip, playing ball (fetch), galloping in the snow or just home time, Leo knew how to enjoy every moment.  He was a true contemplative and seemed to equally love just chilling on the sofa and staring out the window or sitting in the park field enjoying the sunshine or a cool breeze, especially at sunrise and sunset.  Oh, and although he acquired quite a few toys, his favorite was “Elephante” the blue rope chew toy Elephant!

Leo was 8 years old when we adopted him and so as time passed and with the extra toll on Leo from his ear pain and chronic ear condition, he started to slow down but he continued to do his best to carry on all the things he loved as much as he possibly could, even when it was clear he didn’t feel well and had ear pain.  He showed us great love and joy in the short time we had together, just 2 months short of 3 years but we will be forever grateful for the tremendous time we had and especially thankful to Herbert, Leo’s foster dad, whom he had a special bond with, who entrusted him to us, and everyone at Virginia German Shepherd Rescue who are so dedicated to making such an experience possible. 

Leo woke unusually early one Saturday morning, April 24^th, at 4:20 AM and seemed especially restless and weary.  I will always remember the look in his eyes, one of love and exhaustive but peaceful resignation or acceptance and in his way of communicating seemed to say, “it’s time”.  I did not realize it would be 7 hours later.  After a peanut butter snack he slept for a while, and then had his breakfast with a little help getting started and then sat on the sofa seeming a bit more upbeat.  So, I packed his treats and water bottle, which he knew meant a trip to the park IF he wanted to go.  When we asked if he wanted to go to the park and approached the door, he hopped down with interest and wanted to go.  So, off we went.  He was excited as always when we turned into the park and eager to get out of the car, to head to the big open field.  With just a few steps from the car, Leo stepped onto the grass from where he could see the field he loved so much, and he just collapsed.  It seems his heart just stopped and within a few seconds, he was on to “lie down in the green pasture” he loved so much, but this time the eternal one.  Even though we rushed him to the vet, it seems he passed in the park.  While it is so hard to let him go, we are comforted that we were both with him in his favorite place where he could see the field he loved so much, and it was on the Eve of Good Shepherd Sunday. 

Leo showed us how to love and live life to the fullest every moment even until the last.  We miss him so much but he lives on in our hearts in that love.   Seems there’s a paw print there now.  I believe wholeheartedly, as Anatole France put it so beautifully, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”  As well as, Alfred Loyd Tennyson’s, “I hold it true, what’er befall; I feel it when I sorrow most, ‘tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all.”   Leo showed us how every day…. “it’s a Beautiful day, don’t let it get away” and our paw-printed hearts overflow with love and gratitude for the gift of him.  

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me”…

In loving memory of Leo