He's gone. RIP Ranger 2011-2013
 

Sorry for the downer threads. Thought you'd like to know.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ps49ef8185.jpg

He passed peacefully in my arms today at 4:30pm Central. This is the fourth GSD I've had put down over the years. It doesn't get any easier. :sadangel::sadangel:

Truly sorry for your loss....:seasix:

What a beautiful dog........

Sorry Pete :cry:

I know it was a difficult decision but you did make the right choice. :sadangel:

You do have that sunset video :yesnod:

Jeff

Sorry to hear that.:sadangel:

I'm so sorry. I've been there. Doesn't make it any easier though.

:angel:

Sorry to hear that news. :(

Very sorry to hear. Man I feel like I have gotten to know your dog.

My dog will be one of those greeting him on the other side. They'll get along well.

:sadangel:

He can play with Mochi too :angel:

:sadangel::sadangel:

He really was beautiful. Inside and out.

I've refined a training approach over the years that seems to produce consistently sweet, calm GSD's. It starts at 10 weeks. I really think my approach shapes their mindset.

While there is a lot of specific things I do, the general idea is mutual respect, leadership, consistency and a lot of physical touch. I literally get down on the floor with them and lay beside them. We expose them to loud vehicles, public places, kids, crowds, gun fire - anything that might rattle them.

All they know from us is kindness and love. They know we are the one thing they can count on 100% and they completely trust us. If I told him to run into a burning building - he wouldn't even hesitate.

People ask about the liability of having a dog like this at events where there are hundreds of kids (often a dozen coming at him at a time). I had zero concern with Ranger. He was never aggressive, frightened or startled by kids or others that jumped in his face or whatever.

It's much like soldier handlers. If you have a dog in theater, you have to 100% trust that dog to do its job. No room for error. That's why so many were German Shepherds. They are so consistent. (unless they are nuts - which happens...)

He did bark, growl and raise his hair at bums, nuts and gang bangers so he wasn't a pushover. In fact, he was damn scary to them. I always thought it was funny how the "tough guys" gave Ranger a wide berth. :D

Today a lot of kids around the neighborhood came around to pet him. Word spread he was in his last days. I think he knew he was loved. Even though I think he went blind a week or so ago, he was still confident and calm with all those kids.

We took a nap together for an hour this afternoon. It's rare that he stays lying down with me for more than a few minutes. Today, he stayed.

Amazing dog. I will miss him greatly.

I am so sorry. I need a kleenex.

Very sorry for your loss. Memories remain, you'll always carry some of him with you.

Sorry to hear,it's always so hard to say good bye to a good friend.:sadangel:

I have a lot more. I found the video we shot when we first picked him up. Literally the first time he saw us.

Here is a screen grab from the video - look at his stance at 11 weeks old. He was not posed or anything - just natural confirmation.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...psbea92622.jpg

Good looking puppy :yesnod:

Sorry for your loss. They are family :sadangel:

And the more I know certain members of my family, the more I love my pugs.

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/...93729230_n.jpg

Taken 30 minutes ago........Chloe/Joey on the fire place, Evie on the floor.

Sorry to hear it. :(

Ranger was a beautiful dog.

One thing to be thankful for is that he passed today and not on Christmas Day. Don't need a downer every year on Christmas.

My grandmother passed last year on 12/26...we were very thankful that she made it one day past.

Sorry for your loss, they really do become members of the family