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My Diary

RIP.

Hey everyone,
First off, thank you so much for the hundreds of messages and e-mails about Bear! I never knew how much one dog could affect so many people from all over the globe, but you all made me realize that you loved him just as much and I appreciate everyone's concern.

Bear, as many of you now know, had to be put to sleep over the weekend and is now no longer suffering or in any pain. I created a "Tail of Devotion" about him for a reason; the reason being that there will never be another dog that affected my life more than that one German Shepherd. I thank God that he allowed me to have him for just over ten years, and I'll never go a day without thinking about him for the rest of my life.

Once again, thank you for all your messages and caring enough to let me know that he was a part of - and affected - your lives as well.

-Lindsey

My Tail of Devotion for Bear

Hmmm, what I would I say on paper to Bear if he could read?? There's actually way too many things to list, but I'll try my best and see what I come up with in this little space I have here.

Bear became my brother August 1st, 1998 after I had just lost my first GSD of 8 years only two days before my first meeting with this long haired German Shepherd. Immediately I knew this little boy was different than all the other dogs I had seen and looked at over the past two days and I knew that I wanted him... badly.

Just two weeks ago it marked eight full years that I've had Bear and with everything we've gone through together, I honestly don't know what I'll do when he's gone.

We've been through a number of severe hurricanes together, he was there with me when I lost both of my Grandparents within one year of each other and now we're both having to battle with my Dad having stage four lung cancer.

He's proven to me that he understands what is going on in our everyday life.

My Dad was in the hospital for about a week's time right after he had been diagnosed a few months ago and honestly, I've never seen Bear so depressed in my entire life with him. He wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep and he'd just stay at the front door all night crying and whimpering non-stop. He was used to my Dad coming home between 5-6pm every single day and then it just stopped--he wasn't home and Bear wasn't the same.

I have two long haired German Shepherds whom I love dearly, but Bear is the one that has made my life worth living. He's been there when I wanted to give up and just say to hell with everything and I've been there when he's been sick and not able to do too much of anything.

My Granddad always used to call Bear a "model" and that's exactly what he is, he's the dog in our family that's made other members want to go rescue their own dog(s) or see what's down at the local SPCA. I think out of everything, that's what I'm most proud of him for. For getting others interested in not only German Shepherds, but rescuing other dogs from a life that wouldn't have been as worth it as it is for them now.

There's a verse to a well-known song that I've been thinking of a lot lately, with what's been going on in my life and I think it would only be fitting to end this "tail of devotion" with that verse.

"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"

The answer would have to be, "yes". You're the one dog I've had over the last 18 years that I swear I'll never forget. We've made so many memories that I'll remember years from now and there's only one very special dog to thank for that... Bear.

- Lindsey

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion