gsdog2

The "what if's" are inevitable to you and your family (particularly your daughter).

My son named our Golden Retriever Bruce and when the breeder asked what name we wanted for his pedigree we said BRUCE ALMIGHTY - but apparently that had too many letters and was declined. So the breeder asked what other name we'd like and we said just BRUCE will be fine so that's what she named him "JUST BRUCE" The same son named his snake Peaches (because she has such a sweet nature )

So sorry for your loss Critta ;) RIP Kelly

3shepherds our first two dogs were both GSD's and we lost them a month apart (ages 11yrs and 12yrs) - I could not face another one after that so we added a toy poodle to our family (I wanted a dog that would not remind me of our two shepherds) which was probably a mistake as I was used to having large dogs and never really bonded with her. So when she was 5 we bought another shepherd and have had shepherds in the family ever since. I can totally relate to your not being able to get another girl for so long. collie angel we have a Goldie (he was our sons dog) but Indi had a very close bond with Silas (it was love at first sight for those two) - if we didn't have the Goldie we definately would have found another dog for her by now. It's sad because I find I miss watching the close relationship they had - Silas would take Indi for walks down the back paddock, first standing at the top gate watching and waiting until she realised what he had planned and then the two of them would go trotting off together - our Goldie was never included in these trips (and never showed any interest either), the two shepherds communication was something I've never witnessed before

Thank you Collie angel, it seems a scrapbook/photobook is a great way to deal with grief. The last few weeks have been easier as we've had a wedding in the family so I've kept myself busy. However .......... the wedding has been and gone and the other two dogs spent the week in a kennel while we were away, and you wouldn't believe it the first thing Indi did when she came home was go straight to the gate where Silas always waited for us to come home - she just stood there quietly looking around for him (very sad reminder of our beautiful boy ). I came across a couple of video's of Silas on Youtube the other day but I find that is one place I can't go yet - it would break my heart to see my beautiful boy running around looking so "alive" . I do intend to make a photobook as a tribute to him although I think I need to give myself a little more time before I go there.

My husband and son are both mechanics and both are fans of the Territory. My son owns one and loves it - no mechanical problems, although when he takes it on the beach (yes, on the beach and never bogged) it does chew through the fuel. So mechanically I think you're pretty safe with a Territory and to me they seem very spacious inside

Yessss!!!!!! Can I also put Dutch Shepherds up there

Have to agree - if there's one breed missing it's the Malinois

All these lists always have Border Collies and Poodles as the top two and then they vary after that. Until you have lived with and trained these breeds, you have no idea just how smart (not just trainable) they are compared to other dogs. For trainablility alone Goldies and GSDs would probably rank higher because they don't try to out-think the trainer as much. Apart from that I think that list would be pretty accurate except I would put ACDs after Poodles in 3rd spot then move the others down one. Not sure I agree with this - I own both breeds and both breeds are used as guide dogs. I don't know a lot about guide dogs but from what I've read I thought they had to be able to think things out for themselves to a certain degree without prompting (guidance) from the handler.

This brought a tear to my eye - it's such a lovely thing to do

So sorry for your loss - when it happens so suddenly it's hard to come to terms with

My Goldie does it often too!

But should we reward this attention grabbing

x 2 I would go to Jane Harper.

Is everyone choosing to ignore this comment :rolleyes: To me this comment explains Chewy's reaction to the OP's frightening situation

:D I vote for Angus

So sad - animals also grieve and I think it makes it so much harder for you and your OH to see :D I'm struggling to look at photo's at the moment, watching a video would be very hard

I am doing ok but not my husband He doesnt even want to take the other Furkids to the park for their run. They are Quiet dogs and my Shep was full of life And energy. So it is very sombre at the park My house is quieter and my protector is gone My OH said he felt the loss of our shepherd harder than any other we have lost (I felt the same) - I've never seen him cry before ;) . They call these special dogs Heart Dogs and I know why - there's a certain place in your heart reserved just for them, and when they're gone they leave a huge space that takes a very long time to heal. I'm still crying today over my boy as there is always something that reminds me of him, but as my DOL friends keep telling me it's ok to cry (and every week there's not as may tears). I found coming here and talking about it a huge help too

So sorry for your loss Bartok, I lost my 9yr old male shepherd beginning of Feb (also suddenly) and I know what your going through As a wise DOLer said so me - allow yourself time to cry and come here as often as you need, there are plenty of people here to talk to and help you through your grief

So very sad :D

Sorry, can't offer much advice except to say time seems to help. I lost my male shepherd to gastric torsion (so very sudden) six weeks ago and Indi was VERY attached to him She still occasionally looks for him or waits for him before going down the back paddock as was their routine - I can see the look of confusion when he doesn't appear. I'm lucky to have a Goldie as well but Indi's first love was my shepherd - so I try to keep her very busy ie. lots of play, walks and fortunately she can also come to work with me. Getting her out of the house and away from routines that would remind her of my shepherd are also important, so when it comes to going to the back paddock I now go with her and make a huge game of it. I'm sure your boy will be picking up on your sadness too and from experience I know that's very hard to hide because if you're like me every time you look at him you will be reminded of the girl you lost Sending huge to you and your rotty

Thank you so much Allerzeit. Our family's been very busy and so my mind has been kept occupied iykwim. I went out on the weekend and a friend I hadn't seen since losing Silas offered her sympathy, it's times like that I find very difficult and the tears are close. How are you coping now without Enya (she looks like she was a beautiful girl)

Thank you all so much for your hugs (Dolers are very special people ) - I hope your messages of comfort help others who are also struggling with the loss of a special pet. The sadness I feel for Silas is with me every day but I'm now at the stage where I'm thinking it's ok to feel like this (and have a few tears )

from Indi - (loving the tiara ;) )

- glad she's ok now!