Uher,

My family's pride, My wife and children's defender, My loyal friend, My tracking partner. The only one in the house that would rise with me before dawn, every day, without question. The last gift my father was able to give me. . .


Uher Z Pohranicni Straze- imported zvv2, SchH III, FH


He and I earned all the Schutzhund titles together with the help, support, advice, and love of my grandfather and brother. This one dog was special to us all, he reminded us of someone else with an indomitable spirit.


He took to home and personal protection training with a unsettling fervor. His intrepidness on his home territory was the source of particular dread with my three friends and training partners. Not one of whom, escaped his fury. . . or propensity for low bites. They too, will remember him fondly.


He accepted children of all ages, including my own three-year-old son and one-and-a-half-year old daughter. They will not remember him. . .
I will remember enough, to tell them the stories about their first words- dog, dog, dog, dog, dog, dog. . . . And how no person alive could raise a voice to them, or even move in their direction without bringing his attention. Attention that was eerie in it's quiet intensity.


He was a great dog. Everyone thought so. Everybody that saw him wanted him. His dark sable coat with rich red undertones was nothing short of breathtaking. He moved with grace and power. And he never misbehaved in public, well not usually. I guess that he was not perfect, as I would like to have all of you believe. He had flaws indeed, but for the life of me, I can't remember any just now. I will miss him.

I ended his life today, in our home with all his family around us. I did it before the cancer could, before his pain was great. There were no other options. Painful because I would have spared no expense. I would have done anything in my power to help defend him, because I knew I had asked the same thing of him for the past nine years.


Goodbye Uher.


I apologise for spreading my own grief here, and in such a dramatic way, but I honestly could think of no other better way to honor my dog's memory. I had to do something while sitting here in the middle of the night thinking about him. I hope that some of you can enjoy this post, and think about your own past dogs.

Damn fine creatures aren't they?

Someone once said; "Dog's lives are too short...their only fault, really".

Amen

VanCamp NO need for an appology here. We are in a way a family of dog people on this board. Hopefully we can all help you and you're family absorb you're loss. I personally will open up to you if you need a sounding board or just need to have someone share in you're loss. I am truly sorry to hear the sad news this morning. It has definately made me reflect on the loss I suffered several years ago. More importantly it has reminded me of why I love my current dog so much, flaws and all. These dogs in my opinion certainly have less flaws than we humans do. I don't know if this was you're only dog but if it was, I hope in time you and family find you're next family protector and companion. I'm all ears if you need someone to share more memories with.

Vancamp, after reading your post this morning, my hour drive to work seemed like minutes. I was in deep thought having sweet memories of my old best friend,who I put down 23 yeas ago.They will always be in our hearts forever and ever.

Glenn you are a good human being.

milt

VanCamp,

My deepest sympathies are with the VanCamp family today. Just as he protected you and your own, you were there for him in his greatest hour of need. This is what true love is really about.

Rest in peace Uher.

jason

Van Camp--

You wrote beautifully about your dog--I'm going to print it out and keep it. I'm glad you found the strength to share that with the board.

A good German Shepherd is the best companion a family can have. I feel your loss.

Pete Felknor

VanCamp,

My very first GSD "told" me this many years ago. Now every time I find myself faced with saying good-bye I pull out his message. Maybe you can find some consolation in these words as I have and as I do again & again.

Remember my Love and Loyalty,
Remember my Youth and Strength,
Remember my Heart and Soul,
They will be with you always.

I leave the best of me behind for you --
My Love,
My Loyalty,
My Heart,
My Soul.

These are my gifts to you to remember and cherish forever.
I have added to your life
And for that I rest happy.
Remember me and rejoice in all that we have shared.

I'm sure if you listen closely, you will hear Uher "saying" something similar to you.

VanCamp,

This board brought together people from all over the world and all walks of life, with one thing in common--our undying love for dogs. We all may have agreed and disagreed on various issues, taken cheap shots at each other at times, but what you are going thru right now is something everyone here can relate to and feel the pain you feel--those of us who lost their best friend and those of us, like myself, whose friends are getting on with age and we dread the day we have to make the same decision you had to make.

Hang in there, buddy.

Something to ponder:

George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, but when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest - c. 1855

VanCamp,

My thoughts are with you man.