Sad News

One of the hardest things we ever do as human beings is say goodbye to our pets. Unfortunately, recently my wife and I had to say goodbye to our buddy boy Remington aka: Remy, Socrates, Mister Majestic, Bud Bud and Big Boy. Remy developed Liver cancer and unfortunately had to be euthanized at 10 ½ years old. Remy was truly a special dog. At one point he was a MAGSR fund raiser poster boy due to a tragic beginning of his life. At eight weeks old he had a compound fracture in his hind leg and was set to be euthanized, but by the grace of God, MAGSR was willing to step up and fundraise for an operation that saved both his leg and his life. Remy was a wonderful member of our pack, as he loved everyone and everything. He always wanted to be by my or my wife’s side. He was extremely loyal and a great listener obeying his commands with no exceptions. At 100 pounds he cut an imposing figure and hearty resounding bark which made him a great protector of the house without even trying. I can’t say enough about this wonderful boy except that everyone should have at least one Remington in their life. We miss him dearly and will always have a smile on our face when think of him. We are eternally grateful to MAGSR for entrusting us with his care. Sincerely,
Adam & Lisa Fedder

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform MAGSR of a passing of one of their children. LuLu aka VIOLA tag # 2927 adopted 11/04/2012 passed away 2/26/2024, a terminal illness came out of no where and within 3 weeks we had made the decision to have her euthanized. She was her Momma's furry princess and my Cindy Lu Who. She was the most gentle dog with everyone she came in contact with and was loved by everyone in our court. She especially loved being outside with the next door neighbors kids watching them play or even participating with them and their friends. She enjoyed the winter chill and loved the snow. She watched over the entire court, we live at the top of a court on top of a slight hill where she would watch over everything that went on, she would bark if something wasn’t right. She will be extremely missed by all. At first wasn’t sure about another dog but as time passed I told my wife LuLu would want us to adopt another dog that we could provide a nice place to live and shower them with love and cookies. We will actually be filling out an adoption form right after sending this email. 

We had seven wonderful years with Koda (Formerly known as Pepper).  She was bonded with Barbara, Sheba (our cat) Bronco (our male GSD) and me.  We lost Bronco 1-1/2 years ago and we adopted Sunny (also a MAGSD grad).  She quietly but firmly showed Sunny the ropes.  She stayed so fit that we lost track of her age.  Three weeks ago she started having problems with incontinence.  It was then that I realized that Koda was 11 years old.  The regular vet put her on Proin time release.  It initially worked immediately.  We took her to Dr. Kocen, a holistic vet,  to add herbal remedies.  Things were looking up but she began rejecting her meals.  After about 4 days of barely eating, I fingered the sides of her belly and she let out a cry of pain.  I immediately took her to Southpaws Medical Emergency.  A few hours later the Vet called and told me that she had a massive growth in her stomach and was bleeding internally.  So that night Barbara and I went to Southpaws and she greeted us with love and enthusiasm.  She was almost purring as we stroked her head and back for almost an hour.  She closed her eyes as she went to sleep and we bid her farewell.  Tom & Barbara Walczykowski

We rescued a young German Shepherd from you guys back in August of 2013. At the time his name was Jace.  We renamed him Leo. He was our second German Shepherd rescue, our first one came from Virginia German Shepherd rescue. I just want to let you know that he passed away the evening of January 1, 2024, surrounded by his family that loved him very much. He was the perfect dog, and we are so grateful to have found him at MAGSR all those years ago. Thank you for doing what you do! Paul

Gypsy was adopted in Aug, 2017. She went to wait at the bridge on 12/12/23 as a result of lung cancer.  She was only 9 years old.  Rescued her when she was 3.5, 6 yrs ago.   Best gal ever.     Jim and Barb Ferguson

I'm sorry to send this message but wanted the rescue to know... my girl, Gabby, crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning, peacefully. She was sadly afflicted with DM and her quality of life had declined dramatically. Gabby would be 14 years old next month. Gabby was my foster dog, rescued from life on the streets of DC at 8 months old in 2009. She cheated death at least 5 different times since then, with all sorts of diagnoses, and we often joked that she had 9 lives. Gabby never gave up and fought the good fight. Gunnar and Teddy and I will miss her every day. Thanks to MAGSR who rescued her, then placed her with us. RIP Gabby - you were the very best!

Nancy Stec, and Gunnar and Teddy

Kia joined our family on April 15, 2018.  From the moment Mommy saw her picture on the MAGSR website, she knew that Kia was meant to be a member of our family.  She was believed to be around 7 years old already when we adopted her, but as she was picked up as a stray there was not any information on her background.  She was a beautiful and well behaved dog, very mild mannered for a GSD and just the perfect match for our young children at the time.   We weren't sure how long we may have with her, adopting a dog already 7 years old... but with young children we weren't able to take on a dog that might be too much for us and them.  Kia blessed us with 5 and half amazing years, more than we anticipated!!  She was close to 13 by the time she passed.  She was the sweetest and most loving dog.  She was also the softest, most fluffy (and twice as hairy as a normal GSD we think!), and quite large dog.  We called her our big Bear, because she looked like a black bear.   Her favorite things were Daddy (#1 to everything), treat time, walking to the bus stop, sleeping on her bed, and chewing on her large bone.  Her presence around our home is dearly missed, but we know it was her time.  She was struggling with bad hip dysplasia and hind leg issues, so by the end it was very painful for her to move around on her own.  But she was so brave through it all.  She passed on October 30th peacefully at home, on her bed, right after getting her favorite treats, with Daddy and Mommy right by her side.  She deserved only the best. 

November 4,2018 is Rex day. He was 4 years old at that time. It was a sunny morning when we picked him up. He was afraid of falling leaves and sick with heart worm. When we got him home we learned he was unfamiliar with wood floors and didn’t know how to go upstairs. He urinated on the floor whenever we tried to put his leash on to go outside. And so our love for Rex began. Rex recovered and successfully beat heart worm. We foster failed with Rex feeling he was in the right place at home with us. Rex was never a problem at home no destructive behaviors. He became totally housebroken. He walked well on a leash. He and I covered many miles together during our daily neighborhood and Meadowood Park walks.

We were totally heart broken when we discovered Rex was limping and lame on a Saturday October 21, 2023 morning. The emergency vet tests and X-rays were perfect. Rex cried all night despite pain meds.   We put Rex down Sunday October 22. Maybe he had a stoke? I still can’t write this without tears. He was our reason to get up at 5am everyday. His basic diet was Salmon and rice Purina Proplan. He and I shared carrots, green beans, apples, and yogurt daily. We kept fresh vegetables in the fridge for Rex and me. He had a sensitive stomach and over time we landed on this diet. He was such a good pup. He never stole food, jumped up, didn’t get on the furniture. Our neighbors and strangers were terrified of Rex. His bark was menacing. The UPS lady left his dog food on the sidewalk refusing to come to our door after only seeing a glimpse of Rex at the door. I had to laugh. I told her he wouldn’t bother her but doubt she heard me. Needless to say we didn’t need an alarm!

Rex loved his squeaky balls. He would sleep with them, squeak them, shake them and he didn’t want us to touch them. He would signal us at night to go outside and go to bed. He would lead me into the kitchen to fix lunch, dinner or cook. He was so much a part of our daily life. I’m at a terrible loss without him. It was just so sudden and way too soon. I must say we loved having Rex in our life for these past 5 years. 

Susan & Arnold Greenspun

Sweet Howie was picked up as a stray and brought to a local shelter. Cute as pie this little guy was lucky to have been found by the right people. Upon arrival at the shelter, staff members knew something was not right with Howie. They immediately began pooling resources to determine how they could help. Tests were administered and it was determined that Howie is positive for parvo. Although they knew Howie deserved every chance to survive, the shelter could not provide the 24 hour care needed to help Howie move forward. So, an emergency plea went out. When we learned that Howie needed immediate support, we began working with our team to help him move forward.  Howie is still so very young. In order to survive, he will need to fight and fight hard. He does not yet know it, but MAGSR will fight right alongside him. Parvo is a highly contagious virus; it is particularly challenging for puppies to survive. Although there is no cure, with 24/7 monitoring and supportive care, he has a chance at survival. As we move Howie forward, our vetting partners will be working with Howie to keep him hydrated, control his GI upset, and prevent secondary infections, while also keeping him monitored and warm. Parvo care is very expensive. We need the GSD community's help in order to provide Howie with every chance at survival. Please consider donating to Howie's care now so that this special boy has every opportunity to fight. Howie is in the fight for his life. Will you help him by being his hero?  Tragically, sweet Howie was no longer able to fight and passed away in the middle of the night. May he fly high with the MAGSR dogs who have left before him.

This is with deepest sadness to inform you that Amber passed away today at the age of 12 1/2 years. She was a great pup and will live forever in our hearts. Her sister, Rosalee also adopted from MAGSR crossed the rainbow bridge nine months earlier and she lived to be 16! Run free sweet girls!!!

It's with a heavy heart that I share that Hunter (fka Windsor) crossed the rainbow bridge today. He was taken to the Emergency Vet's office where they found he had carcinoma, fluid around his heart, and internal bleeding. He left peacefully surrounded by his family. Sincerely, Amanda

It is with a very heavy heart to let MAGSR know that Hemlock, who we adopted in September of 2016, went over the Rainbow Bridge on 9/2/2023. Hemlock started to show subtle signs of a disorder in his hind legs after turning 7 years old and when he turned 8 the hind legs were not operational at all. We took him to his usual Vet and even to a 2nd Vet to get a second opinion. Hemlock had Degenerative Myelopathy and lost all use of his hind legs and became incontinent. My son teleworks so he was home with Hemlock to make sure he stayed clean and took Hemlock outside for potty time. This went on for a year and we bought the necessary wraps and training pads and shampoo for when I had to wash Hemlock up.  The Vet reminded me and my son Alex that we have to think about the quality of life for Hemlock. Hemlock loved to run and play and be with us everywhere in the house. Hemlock turned 9 years old on August 2nd and then on September 2nd we took Hemlock to the Vet so my precious boy could go over the Rainbow Bridge.  I am still very sad and life has not been the same without my beautiful Hemlock. He was a very loved German Shepherd. Even my neighbors ask what happened to Hemlock. We were always out walking or going to the dog park.  Hemlock is greatly missed! 

We wanted to let you know that our beloved MAGSR girl Sweet Pea died last week.  She came to us in February, 2013, was only around 12 years old (young by our standards!), and had been completely healthy and spry until just a few weeks ago.  Despite multiple trips to the vet and a stay in the Pet-ER, we never did get a firm diagnosis, but we do know that she had some type of malignancy, her kidneys were degenerating, and she was declining very fast.  At least we were able to bring her home and have a vet come to our house, so she could die on her bed, surrounded by her family.  She was indeed a sweet pea, a real “bomb-proof” dog as our MAGSR adoption coordinator had said, wonderful with children and other people and dogs.  We miss her terribly.  Here are some favorite photos.  Her canine companions (GSD Bear and our daughter’s malinois Finch) are both alums of BARCS.  (Two other companions, Joey and MAGSR alum Bailey, died before her.)  You’ll probably get another adoption application from us soon.  Finch is only an occasional visitor and Bear needs a new partner.  He’s pretty lost without his Sweet Pea. Thank you for having brought this wonderful girl into our lives. Margaret

It is with heavy hearts that we are notifying you of the passing of Andy, renamed Jax, adopted July 18, 2012. He became ill and over the weekend became much worse.  We took him to BeL Air, Md Pet ER. He had fluid in chest and abdomen and heart was failing, nothing could be done so we made the decision then to euthanize then, we did not want him to suffer. He was a sweet, loving gentle Giant and will so miss him.
Thank you for letting us take this wonderful dog into our home for 11 years.

Patricia & Charles Carling 

As a follow up to our previous email, it is with unfathomable sadness that I must tell you that our sweet Zeena passed away on Saturday.  She made it clear to me that it was her time. Although she could still raise her head and she could follow me with her eyes, she could no longer stand up that morning.  I spent 8 hours by her side where she could see me until the vet from Blue Pearl could come to our home and put her to rest. Sadly my family is out of town and could not be here for her. In tribute to Zeena's  2 1/2 years with us, I created the following video for her. 
  Sincerely, The Geslois Family