Sad News

Oliver picked our family on May 12,  2018.  Thank you MAGSR, he was the absolute Best Dog!   It didn’t really hit me that he was gone until this morning. Mornings were always Ollie and my time. He would lay across the top of the stairs, blocking them  until he could get his morning scratches. Then we would go on patrol to  protect Mom’s plants from deer, rabbits and squirrels. We also would walk down to the corner to watch the cars go by. The sun came up this  morning but it seemed a little darker - I miss my friend.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to Hero. Things declined this week, assume the cancer was moving fast, and after consulting with my vet, I concluded that I just couldn’t push Hero to fight anymore – it was enough. I certainly didn’t know the dog that came into my life in 2016 (just temp fostering for the weekend lol), would fill the void the way he did a month after I lost my other GSD, and would be here with me 8 years later with a bond stronger than any other dog I’ve had. I almost lost him in 2018, 2019, and 2022 to ulcers, IBD, etc. but we overcame and got to the other side – Hero fought hard. I couldn’t have done it without the support and patience of my vet who has been with me through many dogs - but my sweet Hero, he touched us both I think in a way I don’t know how to explain .. there’s just something so strong when you fight so hard like with him, until something like this brings it all down. I avoided coming home yesterday as long as possible because I haven’t been dogless in over 20 years - coming home to an empty house with his things everywhere .. it just hits you hard. I absolutely will open my heart again to another dog, because I have a lot to give, but no one will ever take Hero’s place in my heart. He was my amazing miracle and something so precious that I never deserved. #lovehero #everydayisagift

My family adopted our pup, Endy (previously Dana) from your organization about 6 years ago. Endy was an incredible addition to our family, and I’m so sad to say that after a very rapid illness, and despite a very thorough work-up and hospitalization, we had to end her suffering last Friday. I have attached some photos of Endy. We had so many amazing adventures with her. She helped us welcome 2 babies into our home, and fiercely protected her pack. She loved to swim, jump into leave piles in the fall, and get the zombies in the snow. She was the hairiest, most chaotic, and goodest girl, and we will miss her so much. 

We mourn the loss of our big man Jojo on July 13th of this year to a sudden condition we could not have seen coming. Jojo entered our life on March 6th, 2022.  At 10 years old, we expected a mostly chill, sweet old man.  What we got was a sometimes chill, old goofball!  He was so sweet, fun, and silly, everyone who met him fell in love with him.  Well, everyone except some of the neighborhood dogs, who were obviously jealous of his magnificence.

RIP, Zeus on Tuesday July 9, 2024 (fka Rocky, adopted 12/16/2017). You were the goofiest, smartest, most loyal German Shepherd on the planet. Love you and miss you always, my big boy. #magsr    #adoptdontshop My late husband was a Baltimore City K9 officer for 22 0f the 32 years in the department so we have had a succession of German Shepherds (and even a Belgian Malinois) over the years. Zeus, by far, had the biggest and most loving personality. My husband would have loved him.

We are devastated to say that we lost our boy, Tango (Oct 2020), yesterday to splenic hemangiosarcoma. The tumor filled his abdomen, was pushing against his lungs, and he started bleeding internally the night prior. To say he was a trooper is an understatement! Even though he had hip and elbow dysplasia, that didn't stop him from enjoying his favorite activities of chasing the ball and going on long walks with his most favorite person in the whole wide world (me). And though he could barely ever leave my side (velcro dog doesn't even begin to describe it!), he loved our entire family fiercely. He lived a lifetime in the four short years that we had him. He was able to run loose on our 20 acre farm, exploring woods and cooling off in the creeks. He still could win an award for being the most talkative German Shepherd in history! I used to tell people that he had a bark quota that he had to meet daily. The house is now too quiet without him. Our hearts are shattered with how much we miss him.

Tuesday morning (June 11th) I said goodbye to my sweet lily girl (fka Cessna). I've been trying to post this all but it is nearly impossible. She was the sweetest most innocent pup. I am forever grateful to MAGSR for the time I had with her.   My sweet girl

I'm writing to let you know our sweet Kenley who we adopted February, 2016 has died. Kenley got sick very fast and we had her put to sleep Monday evening June 3. She is our second MAGSR dog and she was sweet and goofy. She was always ready to let us know when someone was in our driveway she didn't think should be there, or our neighbors coming out their driveway, which I'm sure they "loved." She loved her dad and always had to know where he was or was outside with him. She loved food and was the best sous chef and loved sleeping on the sofa or the bed at night. She had some health issues but weathered them like a trooper. Then Monday morning she was fine but by 3pm she wasn't. We took her to the vet who thought she had a tumor that ruptured and was bleeding internally. Not wanting her to suffer we made the decision to have her put to sleep. We had 8 wonderful years with her. We'll miss the beautiful face and brown eyes. Thank you for allowing us to adopt this wonderful girl that we're going to miss so very much.   Lindsay Bowman

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved MAGSR dog, Bentley. Thanks to Dr. Andrulis, from Peaceful Passage, he was able to pass quietly in his favorite spot in the front yard, surrounded by his family. Bentley was almost 13 years old, and degenerative myelopathy had taken its toll on him. Bentley joined our family in 2019 and become our friend and protector. He earned many nicknames, including “Bentalou,” “Benlo” and “Bubba.” We will all miss his “hugs” and burying our faces in his soft, furry coat. Mama will miss singing him silly songs and Daddy will miss taking him for car rides. The kids will miss the way Benny would bite at the water spraying from the hose. Lucy will miss her buddy and partner in crime. We’re grateful to MAGSR for getting him major orthopedic surgery and giving him a second chance at life with a new family. We’re also grateful to his foster mom, Tamara, and her family for caring for him after his surgery. They rightly called him “devestatingly handsome” and he was so until the end. Bentley was truly the best boy 

In 2015, MAGSR gave us the privilege of bringing home a beautiful 3-year-old GSD, then named Asia, who we promptly renamed Clara.  Clara had been surrendered by a farm family who could not manage her activity level or prey drive.  We can confirm: whether squirrel, deer, chipmunk or fox - if it moved, she wanted to chase it (fortunately she showed no interest in chasing people!)  We were able to re-direct her energy and enthusiasm to the Jolly ball "court" (our yard) where you could find us chasing the Jolly 12 months of the year, rain or shine.  She loved long walks and hikes where she would inhale the scents of the woods and fields. Her toy box constantly needed replenishing as she tore through squeaky toys and balls.  Clara had the responsibility of training our GSD Cooper, one year younger and adopted from VGSR.  She patiently educated him, and he adored her to no end.  She also herded us - into the kitchen to cook dinner, outside for an evening walk, into the car for a ride.  In the pecking order of our family, she was number one.  Her end came suddenly at age 12, when she fell ill overnight. We learned she had a large tumor on her spleen that was bleeding.  We did not hesitate, and were able to send her over the rainbow bridge peacefully within two hours of her diagnosis.  We miss her terribly.  

It is with extreme sadness that I have to report that our beautiful,  loyal, beloved 15 year old Truffles passed away on May 8, 2024 of kidney cancer. The day we met Truffles at MAGSR, she sat down and waved to me with both front paws. It was so cute and made me chuckle.  Truffles was picked up as a stray and was feral. She never knew humans or what living in a home was like. Somehow, her tail was broken and paralyzed. She was very emaciated. But, Truffles never let that slow her down. She fought to live life to the fullest.  When we brought her home after being adopted, she refused to go into our house. So we picked her up to take her in the house. She spread out all four legs so we couldn't get her in the house. We eventually managed to get her in the house. We took her to dog training class and she graduated top five in the class. She was an extremely  intelligent  dog. Through love, kindness, walks, food, and treats, chew bones and squeaky toys,  she gradually decided that being a family dog was a good life. But, it was the belly rubs that won her over the most. Truffles would do anything for a belly rub. Truffles turned into the sweetest dog. We did a DNA test on her and she was actually a Border Collie.  One day I let Truffles in from the backyard. When she came in, she had her mouth closed.  No sooner was Truffles in the house, she opened her mouth and out popped a lizard. The lizard started scurrying around on the kitchen floor. Mommy started jumping up and down, not quite sure what had popped out of her mouth. Truffles thought it would  be so much fun chasing the lizard around in the house. It was these kind of humorous things that  made her an absolute delight. Truffles would always sleep on my bed. I couldn't go to sleep unless she was there. She had an internal clock inside her. She liked to go to bed at 11pm. Every night at 11pm, she would stand in front of me and stare at me. She was saying, ok boss, it's time to go to bed. We would head to bed. I miss my Truffles so very, very much. She owns real estate in my husband's and my hearts. I would give anything to have her standing in front of me again and telling me it was time to go to bed.   The Maksymchock family

Hello, It's with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that Groot fka Herb adopted in 2016 has passed. We made the difficult decision on May 2nd to ease his suffering from lumbosacral disease as he had stopped eating and could no longer walk without assistance.  Groot was our first dog with MAGSR and he inspired us to volunteer and find our second family with the rescue. He attended many events and was an excellent ambassador for MAGSR. He was a good foster brother and eventually a great packmate to our 2nd MAGSR pup, Luna. Groot loved going to work with his dad at the College Park Airport to help fix PG Counties helicopters, chase the groundhogs and sometimes the geese from the field, and didn't ever let us forget his 8:30pm Greenie toothbrush. With a little healing time, we will honor his memory by helping another dog find a home through fostering and eventually adopting again.  Thank you for allowing us the years of joy we had with him,  Megan and Paul Tarrant

With great sadness, I would like to inform you of the passing of Heidi (aka Coco).When we first brought home that 18 month old little girl,I couldn't imagine how special the next 12 years would be. When our other GSD Fritz passed a couple years ago that bond with Heidi became even stronger. From our morning routine of coffee and treats on the patio to the trips to the park to enjoy a burger  and more treats after a long walk. There are just so many great memories. I hope she knows how much she was loved and how much she will be missed. Knowing she is now over the bridge and once again romping around with Fritz can only bring a smile to my face at this sad time. Until we all meet again ,you will forever be in my heart.  Jay Thomas      

We adopted “Trixie” on July 28, 2011. We renamed her Mina.

I know it’s been a long time since we adopted her but we didn’t know if we needed to tell MAGSR that she had passed. We had to put her down today Monday March 25, 2024. Mina was an incredible girl with a wonderful spirit. She was beloved by her family and will be sorely missed. We Love You Mina girl! We thank you so much for having the honor of adopting her. Mina was incredible and my wife and I loved her immensely.

Darren and Anissa Black

Good afternoon,

I’m heartbroken to report that my baby Chopper passed away yesterday. I have attached some photos of our beautiful life together. Thank you for providing me and my family with a friend and companion that we will love and cherish forever.

Respectfully,

Lakisha M. King- Jones