Sunday, December 4, 2011

German Shepherd Love

One of my favorite dog breeds - well, probably my number one favorite - is German Shepherd. There is something about this breed that I've fallen in love with. My first dog as an adult was a German Shepherd and he was the dog love of my life.

I was 24 years old and living in an apartment when he came into my life as a 6 week old runt, his whole litter abandoned in a dumpster and found by a good friend of mine. She got the rest of the litter adopted out but no one wanted the little fella. He wasn't "strong", he wasn't big and he was darker than the other puppies in the litter. These were all complaints from the potential adopters.

I immediately fell in love. I sat on the ground and he trotted up to me. The distance must have been too great for his little body because once he got to my lap, he nuzzled in, his head on my heart and slept there. Fourteen years later, it was there he crossed the rainbow bridge. In my arms, his head on my heart.


Vinny started my lifelong love of German Shepherds. Over the fourteen years that he was with me (way too short, by the way), I grew a lot, I got married, had a child, got Vinny the yard he needed and loved. Vinny was with me through thick and thin. When our daughter was a baby, he was her protector. When she was a toddler, he was her playmate. As she grew older, he was her confidante.


Vinny is now gone, but his legacy led me to seek out a German Shepherd as my next dog and get involved with dog rescue. Years later, here I am a proud German Shepherd Rescue volunteer. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  

I've helped place many dogs with families and I've seen the happiness it brought. Every now and then, there is an extra special connection between a human and a dog. Something that is evident very early on. And something that warms my heart, making me appreciate both the dog and the human.

Recently, one of my fellow volunteers sent me pictures from a family who adopted one of her foster dogs. I was so touched by this amzing connection, I just had to post the pictures here. This German Shepherd is very lucky...as is this beautiful baby! This child has found a protector, a playmate and a confidante to be by his side for years to come! 

Sutter and Finn
Best Friends




Congratulations to Sutter's new family....they have found their Vinny.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love those pics of the best friends. And Your Vinny was just as adorable. xxx

Susansacre said...

Inspiring as always! What a beautiful story about Vinny and love the photos of the Sutter's wonderful German Shepherd!!

Sherri @ Woman's Best Friend said...

what a beautiful post and tribute to your vinny. reading this brought tears to my eyes and inspired me to get up from the computer, walk over and give my own german shepherd a big ole' hug!

snoopy@snoopysdogblog said...

Oh my goodness Sutter and Finn are just soooooo cute together!!

Just like you I like German Shepherds too (well I love everyone and everything), but I've got a German Shepherd friend across the street - he's called Spike - he also has a little kinda half sister (mix German Shepherd) called Nala and they're lots of fun!!

Hope you're having a fun day,

Your pal Snoopy :)

Karenann said...

That's so touching, Maria. I love what you did with all this, your story and how new families follow. Very sweet...brought back some wonderful memories as well. What would we do without our sheps...

Thank you,
Karen

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous story! The pictures are so adorable! I love how the GSD has his paw on the babies back :)

xo
Luna

Kathy said...

I've got photos of our 1st Great Dane (Diamond) and our son Alex when he was just a baby, in almost the exact same poses on the floor of our living room.

And, years later, we took in a street stray (Suzy) our GSD-cross breed who took on the role of playmate and protector for our son and stole my heart forever.

Thanks for the insights into your first "heart dog" and this post.

Alfie | Alfie's Blog said...

They look like best buddies for sure! Thanks for joining our bloghop!

Waggy Tail,
Alfie

Anonymous said...

I love those pictures with the baby. Looks like he is teaching the baby something.

houndstooth said...

Sometimes I feel bad for Morgan because she doesn't have a kid of her own! lol She has to make do with protecting me and the Greyhounds, and now being the puppy nanny. If we survive puppyhood with the new Shepherd with all of our fingers intact, it will be some kind of miracle! lol I really do love them, and they are definitely very unique!