My beautiful German Shepherd Mikey : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Friday1 · 05-07-2008, 09:19 PM

My bride and I have no kids so a long time ago we got our first German SHepherd Dog. We now have six of them buried in her garden. Mikey was 13 1/2 years old. SHe always entertained us like a class clown. I used to take her racing with me and she was a celebrity at the racetrack. She was tough-eleven years ago got in a fight with a cat that bit her in the chest. Her chest got infected and after five surgeries and a whole summer of me taking care of her she defied all the odds and lived. They just given her a few days to live at the vet. Arthritis was in her body everywhere in the last few years. She never stopped being part of the pack though even when it was hard to walk. The heat took its toll in the last few days. It was time. My bride is going to plant some flowers over her grave. I miss her so much. The other two dogs are not sure what happened but they know she is MIA. It is really tough to let them go, but the memories are never going to be forgotten. Friday in mouning

Carrie · 05-07-2008, 10:00 PM

RIP Mikey

TXCHOP · 05-07-2008, 11:02 PM

Friday, i feel for ya bro. Recently went though the same thing and lost the family dog.

RIP Mikey.

MadCity · 05-07-2008, 11:22 PM

I offer my sympathies as well. I know firsthand how hard it is to say goodbye to a family pet. Remember the good times and know that Mikey knew you loved him. RIP Mikey.

Friday1 · 05-08-2008, 05:03 PM

Thanks, guys. The other two dogs are confused. Things will get back to normal in a few days. I spent hours last night on the internet looking at pups. I got Mikey to replace ROBO who died in my arms of a turned stomach in Jan, 1995. It was a cold winter day and I drove through snowdrifts over the hood of my car. I had to have another dog and if it meant walking through a snowstorm-so be it. She was so tiny, and her coat was so thin. SHe cuddled under my jacket and shivered for hours. Stole my heart. Robo was the anti-social-poster-dog you didn't want to meet unless I was there. With Mikey I wanted a more friendly dog and she was. The only time I saw her show her protective side was a well endowed female who wanted a ride when we were racing in CHarlotte, NC. She leaned too close to give me a good boob shot and Mikey went half out the window after this woman. SHe was a good judge of character.....when I refused to give her a ride, she got in a car with some shady looking characters. THey were watching us so it was a scam! The dog didn't trust this woman. My bride picked up some flowers today to plant over her grave. Thanks for the comments, Friday

Bluzmn59 · 05-08-2008, 05:40 PM

We are sorry for your loss. We had to put down two of our old dogs within the last year. My wife is a veterinarian and together we own a practice that I manage. That is the one part of this place that has never gotten easier.

Carrie · 05-08-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluzmn59

We are sorry for your loss. We had to put down two of our old dogs within the last year. My wife is a veterinarian and together we own a practice that I manage. That is the one part of this place that has never gotten easier.

Bluzmn59, I don't see how you can do it. It breaks my heart to read these memorials. You've got my total support in being able to handle that.

BVBOB · 05-10-2008, 07:33 AM

Sorry for your loss, the old boy in my avatar is going to be 10 this year, like myself, he is getting slower and grumpier with age.

Friday1 · 05-10-2008, 04:34 PM

I could not be a vet. It would pain me too much to have to put animals down every day. We had another GSD about 15 years ago that got Vestibular Disease-a condition that causes a dog to totally lose balance from an inner ear infection. I spent two nights sleeping on the floor next to her cage at the vet. Some of the dogs and cats were just left there and none of the owners or the kids that these pets belonged to ever showed up! I just couldn't do a friend like that. THis morning we went to the park and saw some rescued GSD's that a girl was walking. One was abused and the girl said she was scared stiff of all men. This dog walked right up to me and leaned on me and then looked back at the girl who owned her. It was like the dog was saying"This is the ONE mom". I would have taken her home with me right there(the dog I mean). Wish I had that effect on female humans LOL!!
The bond between humans and dogs is a beautiful thing. If you have experienced it, you will never forget it. Friday

steveusmc · 05-12-2008, 09:44 AM

There are dog "owners" and then there are the people who put the care and happiness of their dog right alongside that of family. Our dogs have always been family and we will always treat them that way. We had to have our GSD put to sleep years ago because of a spinal cord problem that was degenerative and painful. You know when it's time to say goodbye and it kills you to do it. 10 years later and my wife and I will still cry if we talk about "Smokey" for more than a few minutes. We have always had dogs and always will I suppose.

I suggest you blow up a nice picture of Mikey and hang it right there in your living room. We have Smokey's mug right there and can't miss it as we go to that side of the house or as we sit and watch TV...she is still watching over our clan...and our dog herd.

Only a few truly understand how someone could feel the way you do about Mikey. We understand...and we know the pain you are feeling. The pain will pass but the memories are forever....and the tears are always right there when you ponder that wonderful animal....but that's okay isn't it.

Here's our picture of Smokey. She was one fine girl.

Friday1 · 05-14-2008, 08:31 PM

Steve and everyone else, thanks for your words. Been a tough week around here but each day gets a bit easier. My two GSD's are still wondering what is going on. They know so much by how we act and our body language. My youngest, a pure white giant GSD, laid her head in my lap and just looked at me last night. She knows something is up and also that I am sad. THe show must go on. Friday

Lefty · 05-15-2008, 07:24 AM

Condolences, Friday1. I understand. We have a nine year old Shepherd, Greta. She's an important member of our "pack." Thinking about getting another one soon because when she passes we'll be devastated. . . .

Lefty

RidingJerry · 05-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Friday1, I'm sorry to hear the bad news.
It is tough to loose a member of the family.
Time will ease the pain and make memories fonder.

I hope you find a new family member who will bring as much joy
as Mikey.
The wife and I miss our departed pets but we sure love the two
rescues we have now.

lschultz · 05-15-2008, 01:50 PM

Friday1 so to here about your GSD. I have buried 5 of my dogs over the years in a corner of one pasture go by it every day when we leave the house. All of the other dogs I have were Labs and they all had there own ways. My daughter starting talking about a GSD dog and I got to reading alot about them on the internet even bought some books then decided to get one. Max will be 3yrs ole come Dec 24. And he is one great dog follows me everywhere. Likes to ride on the seat and in the bed of my Kubota RTV and since I bought me one of those Ural Patrol I have taking him for a ride in it a few times. Have to take the bottom of the seat out cause he is so damn big 95.6 lbs last time at the vet. GSD dogs are different than Labs but I sure do enjoy him. He has chewed up more things than all the Labs I have had till he out grew that. Find you another one to take his place. Theres one out there waiting for you. When I got mine the lady has 8 pups to pick from and they were running all around but there was on laying away from the others stretched out on the ground byy himself. I went to him looked at him he looked at me called him and he came and that is the one I picked. As I said go find you another one.

Friday1 · 05-16-2008, 08:11 AM

Thanks for the words. That is how I pick pups, also. I say they are like bikes-they pick you, you don't pick them. My all black GSD-Bear- goes everywhere with me. She gets this look when she knows I am leaving. She has lost most of her sight to a degenerative eye disease known as Pannis but somehow she knows if I am going to work or not. When we were racing the Pro Stock dragbike I was gone for six days to Atlanta and she stayed outside curled in a ball at the gate during a rainstorm that lasted most of the time I was gone. She just drank water no food till I got home. My bride finally got her to come inside just before I got home. Such dedication and devotion. She stays outside my shop near the door when I am working out there late. She will push the door open and see if I am alright every hour or so then go back to her post. THe young one is pure white. SHe goes about 120 lbs. Also very protective. I should have taken Bear on my bike more when she was young. I did take her when she was just 6 weeks old in my cop jacket a few times. She got too big to fit in there. We used to take all three of them to the races when we road raced 150 mph go karts in the 90's. Almost got thrown out of Lowes in Charlotte but I got saved by a security guard who also had a white GSD and he talked his boss into letting us stay. Dogs leave such impressions on our hearts. Friday in Ohio