Lupo

Date of Death: January 13, 2026

Thank you again for saving him and for allowing us the privilege of loving him for more than eleven years.

Lupo (formerly Santino) - Believed to have been born on October 12, 2012. Adopted in August 2014. Passed away on January 13, 2026.

Lupo, originally named Santino came into our lives in 2014 through Mid Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue. At the time, we were told he was about two years old. His early life had not been kind. After his previous family moved away and left him behind, neighbors found him wandering the streets and brought him to a shelter. When MAGSR stepped in, they recognized that he had suffered and placed him in a foster home where he could slowly learn to trust again. Those months of patient care made all the difference.
 

The day we met Lupo, we had actually come to meet a different dog. But circumstances — and MAGSR’s intuition — had other plans. My husband walked Lupo first and immediately felt a connection. I was a little hesitant at the start, but once we brought him home, everything changed. Lupo chose me almost instantly, and from that moment on, we belonged to each other, and he became one of the greatest loves of my life.
 

Lupo was a strikingly beautiful dog. Very tall, light-colored, with a presence that often reminded us of a silver wolf. That resemblance is what inspired his name, “Lupo.” Despite his size and strength, he was extraordinarily gentle. Even when young and eager, he took treats with the softest touch, a quiet reflection of his deeply good nature.
 

He was sensitive, intelligent, and emotionally attuned. He carried the marks of his past at first, fear of certain noises, anxiety with the leash, but with time, patience, and love, those edges softened. He blossomed into a confident dog who trusted fully and loved fiercely. He became my constant companion, always nearby, always watching, always attuned to me.

One of the most cherished parts of our bond were the quiet late-night hours. I am a night owl, and no matter how late it got, Lupo stayed with me. Even when my husband went upstairs to bed, Lupo remained by my side, resting near me as I worked or read while the world slept. Those silent moments together — just presence, nothing more — are memories I will always hold close.

Lupo lived an exceptionally healthy and happy life for many years. When he joined our family, we already had another MAGSR German Shepherd, Argo (formerly Jenner), who quickly became his close companion. Lupo was also gentle and accepting with our cats, and, later, with our MAGSR shepherd Bodhi (formerly Dakar), forming meaningful bonds. Shortly after Lupo's adoption, we moved across the country to California, where Lupo thrived. Though the sunshine was bright, he preferred softer light, evening walks before dusk, when the world felt calmer. Later, back in Maryland, Lupo became an integral part of our growing family. When our children were born, he watched over them with a quiet but powerful protective instinct. He was gentle, devoted, and endlessly patient.

Lupo loved simple joys: eggs (which he enjoyed almost daily), his favorite hard, chewy fish-skin treats, and play. He didn’t know how to play when we first adopted him, but with time, and with the help of our other dog, Argo, he learned. He loved running freely in the yard and playing games well into his senior years. He expressed his happiness with little movements, happy sneezes, a soft “purring” sound when he was content and loved. He also seemed to love music; whenever our piano was played, Lupo was always in the room, quietly listening.

Lupo had an uncanny ability to understand people. He recognized tone, emotion, and meaning. When I spoke about him with affection, he seemed to know, coming to me from wherever he was, as if drawn by love itself. We shared countless quiet moments — naps, closeness, and simple companionship — moments that defined an incredibly deep connection. We understood each other in a way that was unique and profound.

In September 2025, Lupo underwent surgery, which confirmed a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. He bravely went through a second surgery in October and did remarkably well afterward. We were grateful to share a beautiful Christmas with him. Shortly after Christmas, we noticed he began to grow weaker, and in early January it was confirmed that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Despite this, his spirit remained the same, loving, present, and dignified. When he grew even weaker and his breathing became labored, there were no remaining options that could spare him suffering, and we had to make the difficult decision to let him go. Lupo passed peacefully at home with the help of our kind veterinarian on January 13th, surrounded by love, after more than eleven years of being cherished every single day.

We are heartbroken by his loss. His absence has left a profound void in our family.

We will forever be grateful to Mid Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue for saving him, for believing in him, and for bringing Lupo into our lives. He was deeply loved by our entire family, but he was my heart dog, my constant, my anchor, my soulmate. We ran on the same frequency, a connection that went beyond words, beyond love itself. 

Loving Lupo was one of the greatest gifts of my life. He was, and always will be, part of me.

Romina