German Shepherd loving her family (In loving memory 9/19/03 - 9/23/08)

Shelby 4, Daddy (37), Joshua (10 months, and baby buddy, the cat (7). June 2007

This video has now become a classic.

Our beloved Shelby had to be put to sleep on September 23rd 2008, due to an unknown illness. In May 2008 I let her outside to play, I meant to change her water bucket for the day, but before I had a chance to, she drank some water from her bucket and developed what I believe was a bacterial infection. A few days later, she started throwing up yellow bile and wouldn't eat, so we took her to the veterinarian. He gave her some medication that appeared to have stopped whatever it was. Then four months later after we moved into our new home, the symptoms appeared again, only this time Shelby went from 80 lbs to 60lbs. She started showing sign of fatigue and wouldnt eat. All she would do is lay around, she had no energy to move.

Two different veterinarians in Florida couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. They did nothing for Shelby, and when her health deteriorated very badly on Monday September 22nd, their response was, we dont know whats wrong with her, but you can drive to Stuart Florida and pay $500 to have them take a look at her. We didnt have $500 upfront, and they wouldnt even look at Shelby without it. Based upon Shelby's condition the morning of September 23rd, we made the decision to put her to sleep. She lost 20 lbs and wouldn't eat, drink or go the bathroom. I wasn't about to let her continue in the state she was in. The decision my husband and I made, killed a part of me inside, that wound will never heal. To have to look at her beautiful face and have to put her to sleep was more than I could bear. I got to hold her and love her before they put her to sleep. I told her how I would never forget her, and how much fun we had together. I still cry over her. I miss her so much. I have so many videos of Shelby and they all bring me great joy. She had a great life and was well cared for by me while she was here. There wasn't any place I could go in my house or outside without her following me and wanting to be by my side. I will miss her laying at my feet, and always being able to look down at her and smile, and rub my feet over her head, always knowing she was there loving me as much as I was loving her. I kept all her babies (stuffed animals), her favorite football, her blankets, leash). I don't have the heart to get rid of them.

This is one of the most painful things I've had to go through in my life. I am so sad without my beloved Shelby. I was so blessed to have had such a sweet, loving, loyal friend. The house is so empty without Shelby. I had to pick up her favorite football from the yard and put away her home. It was torture to see her home when we got back from the vet, knowing she would never sleep there again.

All I can say, is if your going to get a German Shepherd, be prepared for the best friend you will ever have, and also be prepared for the devastation, when that fury warm devoted friend is gone. There is no love, nor pain like it.

In closing, knowing the pain that I feel now because I have lost my Shelby, I would do it all over again, just to be able to spend that time with her again.

I love you Shelby girl, you will always be my puppy.

In loving memory of Shelby Taylor
9/19/03 - 9/23/08

John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (Jesus) that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• german shepherd with family
• german shepherd baby
• baby with german shepherd
• dog and cat
• man
• baby
• dog
• cat
• floor
• table
• love
• family

[ramingrc]

I am so sorry for your lost... we had to put our GSD down cause he got hit by a car, T-T

T-T T-T, back in 2008, we spend $3000 to get him better but he had internal bleeding.. and we had to put him to sleep. i remember till this day and i would never forget that day when he looked into my eyes and he knew that something was wrong.. OMG i saw tears in his eyes. I just wanted to kill my self cause he honestly was the best thing GOD had ever given me :( T-T

[Ad1gaJudy7797]

Personally, i always laughed at people who got emotionally attached to dogs. but i bought a white terrier yesterday, and now i cant believe that i used to laugh at people. Dogs are really amazing.

[advandana]

Its heart-rending to read your story. Shelby seems to be so loving. Positive aspect is, you and your family had been so lucky to have her with you and being loved by her.

[chowder261]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[axelroach]

This is so cute, the kitty the dog and the lil baby :) very touching. I am very sorry for your loss.

[jason4275]

fucking cat dont even give a shit

[bledges]

What a great dog, wow.

[Daenye]

I´m so sorry for your lost, I know about your pain because I lost my puppys too and a still craying when I remember them. I´m sure that my german shepherd would have been falling in love of Shelby :) I hope you remember with a smile on your face the memories that you have of your wonderful family.

[arianeaux]

Oh, and I forgot to say: your Joshua will always remember Shelby in his heart and thank for his parents for being so wonderful giving him her presence. Dogs and cats are a gift of God for us, poor mortals.

[arianeaux]

I know every little word of your pain. Congrats for loving a dog and to share it with us... Shes there, with angel wings, barking with all our beloved angel dogs that are gone, to the "dog heaven". I have some ange dogs to. Ive been raised with dogs and I cannot imagine living without a lick, a bark or without their presence. And I, like you, have pain when I think about my brother-dogs that gave me love but had to gone... Now I have a white girl whom Im crazy for. Kisses fom Brazil.

[TheBethk]

I know you must still miss her. She looks a lot like my Gretchen Girl. Gretchen was my best friend and constant companion. I was lucky that I had her for 12 years. I am so sorry your time with Shelby was cut short. German Sheps are the best.