German Shepherd loving a baby, Shelby 4 years old, Joshua 9 Months old 11-16-07

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.

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• dog playing with baby
• dog and baby
• baby dog
• playing dog
• dog playing ball

[skywifi]

She was beautiful with him, and loved him.. 

[MyOwnWorld1966]

The cat is ready for some! What's the dog been doing when you've been asleep? I wonder how that works? Would the cat have....dats or cogs?

[skywifi]

@MyOwnWorld1966 That's funny. :)

[Jaymn2589]

Dig the David Crowder Band in the back bro!

[graguyvatural]

cute dog ugly cat

[agumdrop]

Stupid f****** veternarian ! F****** go to jail for the rest of your useless life !!

[Jeffieboi]

I'm SO sorry to hear about her passing!! She was absolutely beautiful, and you could easily tell she was very kind and gentle.

[tarnbrister]

so the dog licks the cat while it (looks like) it's in heat, then licks the kid again...nice...it's not the kid puts his hands in his mouth or anything...

[SparkSpiritBlue]

I can hear Christian music in the background. Haha. =)

[Nickib056]

Is your dog trained??? I am getting a german shepherd and i have small children as well and was wondering if yours was trained or how you get him to be that calm around your child... I love it!!!

[mrsjanefro]

R.I.P., Shelby. ;-(

[cinejan]

We had a similar experience with our border collie. Our vet said it was pancreatitis, or "garbage gut" - it's food poisoning. I found out that wiith a meat food diet (raw meat on the bones is best), our dogs stand a healthier chance against bacteria, since common carb dog food destroys their immune system - it takes too long in their system to digest and they don't have what it takes in there to break down carbs. I cried for weeks.