Claudia - Passed away: March 12, 2011

"And so she came to pass much too quickly. My hopes, my goal was to simply make her comfortable just long enough to enjoy at least one full day of love, of kindness, of the grass under her feet, the spoils of being “my” dog. To prove to her that, once she was out the shelter, I would make it better along with all those who were rooting for her. But it was not meant to be. Claudia’s illness was relentless, nullifying her medications and the best of my intentions in a matter of days. And so, on a beautiful Saturday morning, I held her head in my hands and never stopped kissing her forehead as she peacefully slipped
away. All the while telling her she was a beautiful dog and that my wish for her was that she should run like the wind without a care in the world.

Claudia must have been a fabulous dog in her day. Even in her failing health, she was strikingly beautiful. Her liver colored coat was spotted with—what looked like—snowflakes of white. Her eyes appeared golden in the sunlight. Her expression, her look was quintessential GSP. Especially when she stood perfectly still in the middle of the yard taking in the fresh air; her head tilted slightly upward toward the sky. She quickly assumed the rituals and routine of my “girls” (Emily [GSP], Molly [Cocker Spaniel], Sassy [Jack Russell mix]), politely enjoying an abundance of dog treats, the comforts of the couch, and the ever present touch and attention of someone who truly cared. And in those moments I knew she knew she was, without a doubt, my dog. My only wish was that it could have been for just a little while longer.

Sweet dreams Claudia."

- Celia A., Claudia's (Foster) Mom

Mercy - Passed away: January 4, 2011

Mercy was rescued by NorCal GSP Rescue in Feb. 2010. Even though she suffered from advanced arthritis, Mercy was full of character and personality and made sure her body took her wherever she wanted to go!  When it was mealtime, she seranaded everyone with a hilarious "Woo woo" and never met a morsal of food she didn't like.  She spent her last 10 months hanging out with the other dogs in her foster homes, catching some rays by the pool and even swimming a lap or two.  Unfortunately our sweet Merc took a turn for the worse as the New Year approached and was helped to the Rainbow Bridge on Jan. 4, 2011.  This "sweet old bird" reminded us of why we love the oldies so much.  They're just so pure of heart and deserve to live out the rest of their lives in comfort, not end their lives in a shelter.  It was good to know you "Moosie".  Rest in peace sweet girl.

Oscar - April 2001- November 13, 2010

Oscar came into my life as a one-year old stray in May, 2002, having found his way into the San Francisco SPCA shelter. He quickly found his way to the center of my life and bed. He was a remarkable dog: intelligent, loving, friendly, attentive, clever, precocious. independent, alert, inquisitive and very focused, intuitive, playful, loyal, interested in people, squirrels and gophers; stuffed toys were a joy.

I know he had a good life. He knew he was loved. He had his own rights and needs that had to be respected and at the same time understood so much about me, and all people he met. Sadly he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and tachycardia in January and lived well with medical treatment for another ten months, fully involved with his adventures. He left when his life was still full. As a friend observed: He was an unusual dog with capability of friendship and caring and sensitivity beyond any other I’ve known and loved.

- Rick Carrington

Bandit (formerly Bradley) - Passed away: April 15, 2010

Bandit came south to live with us as a 6-7yr old. It took a bit to figure out that he was pretty tightly wound. He seemed to internalize all his anxieties so the symptoms were much less noticeable than one would expect. We were a bit concerned when he first came home because he would never look anyone in the eye.  I just wasn't used to that! The whole first year he was with us he would look next to you, not directly at you.  And we used to call him "The World's Quietest Shorthair" because he NEVER barked! But what he did do was obsess over lights.  He chased lights and shadows constantly, it sure kept him busy.

Then after about a year, he not only started looking us in the eye, but he found his voice and his light chasing became just a game, not an obsession. We had six wonderful years with him. He loved to go traveling in the RV and camping. He saw the sites all over the southwest, and enjoyed it all! He also loved to swim, and would jump off of the side of the pool to fetch a ball.  He wouldn't play fetch on dry land, just out of the pool.  He had his rules! But his very favorite game of all was hunting for rocks in a lake or river.  He would do it for hours on end if we let him!

This past year has been a bit more difficult for him as he aged considerably and was diagnosed with Cushings.  He still loved his daily walks, and still was always available for some shadow chasing if you were willing to play. He still had his voice, although it was a bit hoarse. And oh, he would stare in your eyes for as long as you wanted.  

He will always be in our hearts....

Oscar (Turbo)- Passed away: February 2010

Oscar(Turbo) crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Oscar was a loving and loyal member of our family. Even though he was officially a foster dog, we knew when we got him that he was approximately 14 years old and that he may never be adopted.

When he was young, he must have been striking because even at 14 he was remarkably handsome.

He loved to be petted and demanded to be present in the same room as his human roomates. Until recently, he would sleep in our master bedroom located on the second floor with our 4 adopted GSP rescues. Even as his hips started to lose full use, he insisted on going up & down the stairs. He enjoyed every minute of life and would toss his toys in the air then catch them and squeak them like a puppy.

Even though he was too old to alter, he immediately fit in with our 4 boys. He loved his daily walks and was social butterfly with humans and dogs he met on these outings. Many people showed interest in adopting until they discovered his age.

Well, the two years and four days with this valiant, sweet and gentle friend was our gain. Oscar, you will always be in our hearts and you were indeed a member of our family. Thank you.

Gracie - Passed away: January 2009
"Gracie died in January 2009 and the hole in our hearts remains.  She was our first GSP and easily the most intelligent and precocious.

Gracie had a full life – she got off leash exercise daily (except during the numerous orthopedic fixes where she had to stay on leash) and she loved to chase critters-rabbits, squirrels, deer, etc.  She was so fast and clever that she would occasionally catch a critter.  She was always willing to give the critter up, EXCEPT for the times she caught a pheasant.  Now a pheasant was a PRIME catch and NO ONE could have her pheasant.  She also had more than one encounter with a porcupine in the Sierras while cross country skiing.  We felt sorry for the porcupine as we watched Gracie run around it while it tried to keep her at bay. We never hunted with Gracie but her instinctual hunting ability was amazing and her point was beautiful.  We have a picture of Gracie pointing when she was about 4 weeks old.

Gracie had so many classic GSP traits – loyal, Velcro (follow from room to room), loving to family but standoffish with others, not allowing head touching, intelligent (show something once and learn it), insistent on getting what she wanted, and stoic.  She had an Achilles tendon repair and had to wear an external fixator and she still insisted on going for a walk.  In the end, even the osteosarcoma, which is supposed to be incredibly painful, did not stop Gracie for seven months, yet the vets all said she had only 2-6 weeks to live, primarily because of the pain. 

Gracie was the reason we became involved in GSP rescue.  She was so even tempered that she was wonderful to use to evaluate shelter dogs.  When she first met the shelter dogs, she would allow them to do almost anything – she would take their frantic behavior and would look away, give calming signals and diffuse negative energy.  If a shelter dog went after Gracie, it was almost always dog aggressive.

We miss Gracie so much and love her dearly.  We wait for the time when she can be back in our lives.  We hope she is frolicking at the Rainbow Bridge with her boxer pal, Icky."

- Karen & KC

Polly - Passed away: October 31, 2009
Polly was a middle-aged female with some issues around love and trust when she came to me -- a description which fit me pretty well, too. She was so sweet and silly (and sometimes sad) -- wonderful with kids and cats, other dogs -- everyone. We had far too little time together, yet still enough to make lots of happy memories. She was very much loved, and will be remembered and missed. --I like this photo of Polly because she's happy, having been digging for critters in the dunes at Ft. Funston (and uprooting the native plants -- don't tell the native planters!).

- Lisa McGowan

Maggie - Passed away: August 31, 2009
Maggie arrived as many rescues have before her...but she was NOT like any rescue before her. She won over the heart of my grouchy senior GSP who has always exhibited annoyance toward all foster doggies immediately after the "newness" wears off...usually within 48 hours. Then he just tolerates their presence, between episodes of laying down his version of "Moose" law, until they move on to a new home. But not Maggie, sweet Maggie...no the two of them strolled the yard together, played together and even slept together back to back. Maybe that is why Maggie became part of the family so quickly...like she just belonged here. Like this was always her home. Foster dogs are not suppose to steal your heart...otherwise giving them up would just be too unbearable. Apparently, no one told Maggie this...and so she stole it...every bit of it. She was as much a part of my world as any of my other doggies who have been with me for years ... she was my Maggie. Given how much I loved her, it just never occurred to me how quickly the cancer would progress. It never occurred to me I could actually LOSE her. The loss of Maggie on 8-31 has left a hole in my heart that feels like it will never heal. I tell myself that the limited time I had with her is better than no time at all...that she passed away after a few really good months and was surrounded by love. And soon I will believe it, but for now, I just miss her every second of every day. The truth is that she was brought into my life for a reason ... she taught me to take life a little less serious and to cherish each moment we have together. She had an uncanny ability to pull me away from life's stresses and got me to just focus on her (I know...typical GSP but it was different...she made it seem like she needed me with her sad, sad eyes and soft sighs... without making it obvious that the truth was I needed her at that moment). Maggie was an amazing gift and, despite the pain at her passing, I would do it all again...she will always be remembered only as my Maggie. My sweet, sweet Maggie.

NorCal GSP Rescue thanks everyone who sponsored Maggie.

Olivia - Passed away: May 2009
Olivia came into rescue at the end of January with a terrible aggressive tumor on her head. Even though we knew we couldn't save her we removed the tumors (there were actually two) and she bounced back and was a happy girl for many months after. Ultimately the cancer did return and it did take her life but Olivia never stopped wagging her tail and never missed an opportunity to pin a cat. She was incredibly sweet and touched the lives of the fosters she spent time with as well as the vet staff that took care of her until her last day. On May 28th we helped her cross over the rainbow bridge, she went quickly and peacefully. We love you 'Livie'.

- Ron, Cathy, Dr. Jyl

NorCal GSP Rescue thanks everyone who sponsored Olivia.

Derby
Derby was a sweet and loving older boy who came to our home 2 years ago to stay for a while as a foster, but he stole our heart right from the start with his sweetness and gentle disposition. He was a tough boy and despite his arthritis, and many other health problems, never acted up and never lost his loving ways.

He lost his battle on December 20, 2008 and left an empty spot in our heart.
We love and miss you Derby.

- Gita and K

Tux
August 23, 2007- September 2008 The most handsome boy of Miley's litter, Tux (was Rex) left us way too soon, the victim of a stomach infection. During his short time with us he enjoyed camping, running, playing and tagging along with his owners everywhere they went.