I have so many words, and at the same time, I don’t know what to say.
In 2014, we rescued Dottie. She was perfect, but suffered from crippling separation anxiety. We managed, with a combination of medication, doggy day care, and an escape-proof cage we later named Alcatraz. We love her so much but felt terrible for her that her anxiety was so troubling.
In January of 2016, we three bought and moved into our house. That summer, we had a near home invasion. In the middle of the night, several people broke into my car, our garage, and ultimately Kyle came face to face with them, prompting us to call 911 who arrived with multiple German shepherds to run through the neighborhood and track the getaway scents. After this experience, we were rocked. Couldn’t sleep, couldn’t relax, couldn’t even leave our parked cars when we arrived home at the end of a day for fear that we were still a target.
At Kyle’s suggestion, we contacted MAGSR. They asked “boy or girl?” And “what else are you looking for?”
My answer was easy: the biggest, baddest, but bestest doggy. And along came Tiger, at 10 months and already 90 pounds.
Almost immediately, Dottie’s separation anxiety was truly cured (and she never again needed to be crated when we left), we were safe, comfortable and sleeping again, and our family of four was complete. The impact of those big four sheppy paws is something that cannot be described. Tiger was not just any dog. If you knew Tiger, you know how exceptional he was. We were the happiest family all of these years because of our two furry children: and yes, I tell people I have two children.
In June we hiked ten miles. Just last week we were taking long, cold winter walks and he was as healthy and as “puppy” as can be. Last Tuesday, Tiger all of a sudden lost his appetite (so unlike him because food=love just like his mama) and we went to the vet for lab work. On Thursday, we found out he was anemic. On Monday, an ultrasound revealed widely metastatic hemangiosarcoma. Last night, we played gently with about 30 tennis balls. Overnight, his breathing suddenly became labored. And today, we tragically laid one of our babies to rest.
Tiger, you gave us the most incredible years of our lives. We were the luckiest and we always knew it. We played, we ran, we walked, we hiked, we swam, we ate, we snuggled, we protected the neighborhood, and most of all we loved. So desperately. Our hearts are shattered.
Tiger. Tider wider. Tigey. Mr Tiger. Mr no ears. You were the most beautiful, silliest, goofiest, strongest, bravest, most loyal being even up until your last moment. You were, and will always be, loved so incredibly much by all who knew you. As Dr. Smagala said today in your last moments, you are the most incredible German Shepherd she’s ever met. And that says it all.
Our lives will never be the same.
May your memory be for a blessing, baby doggy.
Tiger 10.14.15-12.26.24
