Sad News

We adopted Mac from MAGSR on Jan 22, 2011. His records indicated that he was born on 07/07/07. I don't know who was more lucky, Mac or myself, as I know Mac was most certainly a 'Daddy's Boy.' All was good up until about a year ago then he started down that slippery slope. Arthritis in his knees and hips. He developed a 'swagger' which then turned into a limp. Our daily walks became slower and shorter. On Friday June 12 my wonderful vet made the final house call for Mac. He went to a new forever home over the rainbow bridge. 

Hello MASGR Friends, It is with a very heavy heart that I have to let you know that our Caesar (FKA Denver) was taken to his final home on June 7, 2020.  He had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma 7 weeks earlier. For 8+ years He brought so much joy to us and to everyone who met him.  Weather he was "smiling" or "talking" to you.  He loved his family, rides, walks or just being in the yard.  Thank you MAGSR for finding our boy Caesar for us to adopt him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.  He will never be forgotten. Troy and Kelly Regan

We adopted Tela from your organization on July 22, 2016.  Sadly, we had to put her down last Friday, 5/29.   Our vet's best guess was that she was suffering from degenerative myelopathy.  I had a genetic test done and she was a carrier of the disease, so it is possible but not totally conclusive.  In her last days, Tela totally lost function of her back end.   Our family is heartbroken.   I wanted to reach out to let you know and thank you for pairing us with our perfect dog.  Although things started out kind of rocky (she was very aggressive toward any visitors in our home) she ended up being the most perfectly, wonderful dog.  I feel like she was meant to be ours. She quickly became an integral part of our family and will be missed terribly. 

Dear MAGSR Family, We are sad to inform you that we had to make the really difficult choice to say goodbye to Jax on May 27, 2020. His battle with degenerative myelopathy took a quick turn for the worse, he lost function of his back legs and there was nothing more we could do to help him.  Jax was a fantastic addition to our family for the past 3 1/2 years. He showed us how rewarding rescuing a more senior dog is and emphasized to us how opening your home to a rescue truly changes their lives (and yours). He will be deeply missed by his entire family, including his little sister, Ava.  Reed and Sarah Schuyler

I was on a work trip to Butler, PA in 2018 when Cody called and said MAGSR had a bonded pair to foster. I was like seriously 3 dogs and we have to give them away eventually? Three dogs was re-donk. We got these two girls and Essie HATED Captain. She actually went after him the very first day and I thought to myself ‘this is NOT going to work.’  She had a big lump on her side that we had removed. It was cancer. She ripped herself out of her create and ripped out her stitches. We watched her do it on our camera. We took her to puppy classes so she would learn to socialize. She bit the puppies and tried to escape the pet store. One of these pictures is her ripping through the blinds in the townhome we rented in between houses. And then last year she learned to love tennis balls. And stole every single one of them from him, even in 90 degree weather. All summer when we lived in the townhome. We called her Ess the Mess and Essie Pesci. Her lumps came back. Everywhere. She loved car rides. And hamburgers. And stealing Captains toys. And barking at the neighbors dogs. She was the snuggliest dog. She would nudge you when she wanted pets. She slept in the bed the last couple of weeks. And kicked, scratched, and pushed me out of the bed. And then she stopped being snuggly and playful. She stopped doing all the bad messy things she loved to do.  We thought it would get easier after Kaz- we wanted to adopt seniors and thought this was part of the process. It’s not any easier but we are so grateful for the two years we had with her. As always, please adopt the senior pups. It’s rewarding and sad all at the same time.  Elizabeth & Cody Fenstermacher

It is with heavy hearts that we would like to inform you of Buddy's passing, previously "Duke."   He had an inoperable, fast growing tumor on his spine and he deteriorated very quickly.  He was diagnosed at Veterinary Neurology and Imaging of the Chesapeake in Annapolis, MD on 5/22/2020 through an MRI with Dr. Archambault.  He was humanly euthanized today at Pocomoke Animal Hospital In Pocomoke, MD after he lost use of the rear half of his body. We appreciate the honor MAGSR gave us to be his furever parents and home for the past 3 1/2 years.  He was a GREAT dog and we will dearly miss him.  We hope we gave him as much love and joy as he brought and gave to us.   Jeff and Robyn Pettit

Hi.  I wanted to report that Wiley, a beautiful GS we adopted from you 11 years ago this month, crossed the rainbow bridge at 3:21pm today.  He had cancer and became paralyzed last night.  Nothing could be done to remove the tumor and he was in a lot of pain.  We loved him everyday we had him and he loved us.  Godspeed, Wiley

Love,
Michael Milone

We wanted to let you know that our beloved German Shepherd, Kimber, died from hemangiosarcoma.  He was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully at home as the sun set. He pre-adoption name was Axel.  May MAGSR continue to find homes for German Shepherds.

We are writing to inform you about the sad news that our beloved and wonderful German Shepherd rescue, Chesney, whom we adopted from MAGSR in October 2012, died peacefully this morning.  Thank you for bringing her into our lives.   Thank you,   Sherry, Rohit, Caroline and Jessica Khanna

We are devastated to report the passing of our beloved Spike D. on April 17, 2020. Spike (Nell) joined our family on July 9, 2011. We are heartbroken to lose our wonderful, loving and smart girl.  Life is not the same without you Spike.  We miss you every day.  Beth, David and Dylan

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Shadow on March 18, 2020 at the age of 13 ½ (October 21, 2006 – March 18, 2020).  We adopted him September 2010 and we had almost 10 amazing years with him.  

The day we visited MAGSR, we walked with two dogs:  one was a female, and the other was Shadow.  We just seemed drawn to him, and he to us.  We were told he was a little high strung, and to be cautious playing and petting him initially.  Well, on the drive home, he was licking my ear from the back seat!  When we got home, he was warm and affectionate, and rolled over on his back and let us rub his tummy!  He knew he had found his forever home, and we knew our family was complete.

Shadow was an amazing and loving companion.  He was fearless, and loved chasing deer and squirrels!  We would watch in awe as he would reduce a huge deer antler to a small twig!  Shadow loved the beach.  He would play in the surf, and loved biting at the waves!  We trained him in German commands, and people would stop and remark how majestic he looked – he always made us proud.

The past year was extremely difficult for him due to his failing body, even though his mind was clear.  However, he never gave up, never complained, or showed signs of pain.  He was truly stoic until the end.

We thank MAGSR for bringing Shadow into our lives.  Although his loss is incredibly painful, we have beautiful memories of him.  Not a day goes by that we don’t see something that reminds us of him, and makes us smile as well as brings tears.  Shadow brought joy and unconditional love into our lives, and we will be forever grateful.

Jim and Heidi Johnston

We love you, Airborne! We are imagining you running around now up in heaven with four perfect legs and hoarding all of the toys and balls for yourself. We already miss you so much. 

We had to say goodbye to our little girl, Poppy, Sunday.

In addition to being a world class snuggler, ball chaser extraordinaire, expert swimmer in the waters of the Chesapeake (and the Adirondacks, the pool, the fountain or pretty much anywhere she could get wet), and holder of a fifth degree black belt in martial tail-wagging, she is also responsible for the happiness of hundreds as the world's greatest foster mommy.

Poppy came to us as Gwynn, one of a pair of tiny pups in frail health rescued from a terrible situation in Baltimore. As they regained their health and began to meet potential adopters, it became clear to us the we would never find a family patient enough for her unique personality. Besides, she loved her big brother Nick so. Popcorn became our first foster failure and, because of her avid dislike of other dogs, the end of our fostering career. Or so we thought.

Having to step up in an emergency puppy fostering situation, we thought we'd just have to keep Poppy separated for the short time we'd have the babies and that would be it. Rather than her usual angst from the presence of other dogs, she was fascinated and excited about the strange scents in the house. We decided to let her get a look at who and what was going on and it became immediately apparent that she was convinced that she had just had a litter of puppies and that she had to take care of them right away. So began her career as "Aunt Poppy".

For the next ten plus years, she would welcome every litter of fosters with open jaws; cleaning and preening them, playing gently and teaching them appropriate behavior, overseeing potty training, settling disputes and making sure everyone got their fair share of love and attention. She also recognized the motherly care that medical fosters needed and accepted them as her charges, even when they we well outside the age she would normally tolerate. In that span of time she was responsible for the proper upbringing of well over a hundred puppies (MAGSR & others) and the resulting happiness they have brought to their hundreds of family members.

She was so full of joy, I guess some of it just kind of leaked out.

Poppy we miss you more than words could ever describe. Our hearts are filled with sweet, crazy, hysterical memories of life with you. You will be in our hearts forever, tail wagging, thump-thump-thump against our heart strings.

Thank you for being my best friend and protector. You were selfless in caring for and protecting all your little foster charges. You were daddy’s biggest fan, bursting with excitement whenever he came near, tail wagging wildly, barking and yelping in joy. You kept me company day in and day out, always there to awaken me in the morning, shouting "Seize the Day" as you licked my face and dug at the blankets ‘til they fell off the bed.

We’ll miss you so much Poppy, and will hold you in our hearts always. We are lucky you chose us. Being Poppy's special person has been an honor.   To Poppy! Na Zdorovie. Sláinte!

Dogs die. But dogs live, too. Right up until they die, they live. They live brave, beautiful lives. They protect their families. And love us. And make our lives brighter. And they don’t waste time being afraid of tomorrow. (D. Gemeinhart)

Hello, It is with a very heavy heart I am sending this update. Yesterday, after a very short but strong battle with lymphoma we had to put down our Diesel boy. Macklee and her brother Nate are very unsure right now. Diesel and Macklee played together and picked at each other like brother's and sisters do. Macklee seems a bit lost today like we all are. She was very attached to Diesel. Heck she picked him immediately as hers! The Warner Family, Kevin, Vanessa, Nate and Macklee.

Submitted by Richard