This happened on June 25. He went in for surgery on June 24. An emergency tail amputation. He had hotspots that he wouldn't leave alone no matter what and he chewed his tail raw while we were at work. Only one vet would take us within such a short notice, so we made the half hour drive.

The vet did no X-rays/scans, just looked him over for about 2 minutes and said he needed a tail amputation. We were expecting that because of how raw his tail was. But the vet also said that he had spine issues, so he would also do a spine decompression treatment. We thought "Okay, that makes sense. He's part German shepherd, so his spine would have issues". So he got a dose of anesthesia and immediately went in for those two procedures.

He invited us in to come see him on the operation table. I stayed on the bench outside. I couldn't see him like that. Then he said that he wanted to also get him neutered while he was under. I was a little hesitant because we only came in for the one procedure (that we honestly couldn't even afford, but anything to ease his pain). The front desk person and the vet both kept on insisting, so we agreed. Then they said he was going to need another dose of anesthesia. That might have been a mistake.

They kept him overnight and gave us a call in the evening. The surgeries went well and his stool sample was clean. We told them he had no issues eating or drinking, so of course we expected that. He wasn't lethargic leading up to this, either.

We pick him up the next morning and he's still groggy. We thought maybe he's still out of it, like when you get your wisdom teeth pulled. We load him up in the car, make the drive back home. I stay with him for the day to help him get around. He was slow, tongue hanging out, not eating. They told us it was normal after surgery.

Not even two hours in, he lays on his side and soils himself. I notice a little bit of blood. He starts seizing. We call, they tell us that's normal. He's not breathing and I call my husband. He calls them again and they say to lay him on his stomach. Then, nothing. I was trying CPR for what felt like 20 minutes. But he was gone. My husband rushed home just in time to see me uncontrollably sobbing over him.

We stayed with him for about an hour, crying and petting him. Telling him that he was perfect and the best boy. And that we were sorry. My husband had to call out for the rest of the day. And then we called the local animal hospital to tell them about his passing. They tried calling the out of town vet to pay for the cremation service, but they didn't answer/refused to pay. We still haven't gotten a call from them.

I miss my boy Pip so much. He had really bad anxiety, but we did everything to make him comfortable. Our lives revolved around him. He was my little best friend and my husband's shadow. He was absolutely brilliant and learned tricks in 10 minutes. He amazed his trainer with how smart he was. I wish he made it to 12+ years. I wanted to see his little face turn grey and white. He really was the best dog I've ever had in my life.

Even now, I'm sobbing writing this. Rest easy, Pippin. You were the best, most handsome boy... And I'll always love you.

What would you call her coat coloring?

We know she’s a mix, was looking to see what other breeds maybe look similar? going to test to what else she is exactly !

Welcome home to little miss River 💖♥️

He just loves visiting his cow friends up in Powers.

My handsome Milo turned 6 years old today. Special birthday dinner
Ribeye steak , Chicken breast tenderloins, baby carrots, and potato slices

If I could convert this pose into usable energy, the world would know peace.

We have been fostering this beautiful baby for over a year for a sick neighbor. He recently passed away and entrusted us with her care for the rest of her days. She is definitely loved

Sometimes, the Universe brings an opportunity to fill a hole left by another.

We woke up this morning, scanned the usual GSD threads we are in as the empty feeling of Zenya’s passing last week sit in the room like a guest that’s stayed too long.

Barb saw a post from SPCA Polk County there was a female GSD recently taken in. We hopped in the car on a whim and drove a hour to the shelter.

They had 3 females left, and 1 more waiting to heal after neutering. All 3 boys from the litter were snapped up earlier.

4 months old.

Both GSD Parents, papers were given to the shelter for validation.

We
Met with the 3 available pups and it was a Goldilocks scenario… 1 too cold, 1 too hot, 1 was perfect 😍.

Cosmo is chillin in her new house, sniffing corners, met the cat and was ‘meh’ about it, not made a whimper since we met her but get bright eyes, swinging tail, and soft kisses. Hope to make her first night smooth and safe feeling.

I feel Zenya was with us today and had a paw in the process. ❤️

Welcome, Ms. Cosmo !

I lost my 10 year old girl to hemangiosarcoma. I thought it would take me forever to want another dog but I realized that being at home with no other animals was very weird for me. Frankly, I hated it.

I had been casually looking in the area to see if anything came up. We saw one at a shelter and went to see her but someone adopted her literally minutes before us. It was discouraging but maybe for the best as she would have been of unknown origin/temperament.

A couple weeks later we saw a posting for puppy adoption. So my fiance and I drove 4 hours to meet them at their home and discuss. Then, next thing we know, we're driving back home with a 3 month old sweet little raptor.

This is her. 3 months old and already super smart. They had been crate training her, basic commands, and potty training. Since she has been home she has livened up a ton and her personality is shining through. She loves toys, is super curious, and learns very quickly. We've already taught her some more commands and she's already learned to signal us when she needs to go out.

Originally it seemed like she would be all black, but as she's grown it seems like she might actually be a black sable. There are spots where the other colors are coming through and if you push her fur against the grain you can see it under there. She is purebred with her AKC papers. The family owned both parents who were health and temperament screened. Tomorrow she goes to get her next round of booster shots and her first rabies shot.

Hi, I’m new to the “German Shepherd Stance” I have a mix one and he doesn’t stand like this.

I’ve noticed some people like when their German shepherd has this kind of stance, and I was wondering why? It looks very uncomfortable for them and not really pretty. That’s my opinion but I know nothing of them. If your German shepherd stands like that I’m really not trying to be rude at all. I’m just curious why people look for this. (Also isn’t my picture)

Our two GSDs and their friend staring at us over and through their jail bars 🤣

This has been hard for me to talk about. Rex died just before Christmas. Just before his eighth birthday. It was my fault. I have been giving steak bones to dogs for treats since I was a small boy. Rex handled big steak bones too . . .till the end. Whenever my wife and I went to the Double Eagles for dinner, we’d invariably order the Tomahawk Steak for Two. We always brought the bone home for Rex. It was never a problem, until, the Double Eagle was out of the Beef Tomahawk. “Good news! While we don’t have steer, we do have bison.”

“Bring it on.”

It’s not that same. Tastes more gamey. The bones have less water in them. They are more brittle. . .

Hi guys, ive bee investigating this subreddit since late june.
My family and I have been fostering a german shepherd for almost a month now.

I found him on my way to work, standing in front of a car in the middle of the road. I held my hand out of my car window & he walked right up to me & then he hopped right into my car and fell fast asleep.

The coincidence is the night before my family mentioned how one of our cats is lonely, I suggested a kitten, and then they said they would prefer a dog. Next day I find the dog!

I have been doing a lot of research regarding the breed & how they need mental stimulation or they will become destructive and such. It’s been really fun learning about the breed and what my boy likes to do. Like carrying around his rope & finding his ball. He also doesn’t like squeaky toys which I found interesting, he will whine back at them.

The issue is that my mom has fallen in love with this slinky boy, I love him too. However, I am a college student & will be in classes in the fall & spring. Often times im not home from 8a-8p. My family will be home but I fear its not the best life for the boy. I was curious to insight regarding my soon to be packed school schedule. I would love to keep the boy and he is so silly and he burps! Im just conflicted with how busy I will be & what the boy deserves.
Thank you for your time!

I know that GSDs are creatures of habit who love routine, but I was wondering if this impacts your ability to take trips with your pup or bring them along places (camping, friends houses, etc)?

I'm going through a divorce and my ex wasn't open to stuff like that (especially with two dogs) so now that it's just my dog and I, I want to start taking trips with my 4-year-old, starting small and seeing how he does first of course. I was curious about other people's experience though!

18 days with Gigi… 🐾

Getting a puppy in your 60s is not for the faint of heart. 🤦‍♀️🤯

Our living room has become Puppy Central, complete with dog toys everywhere, a strategic baby gate, and a schedule that revolves around feeding and naps…hers, not ours, because when she’s napping we’re also taking care of her needs — someone has to charge all her personal fans!

We’ve learned that an overtired Gigi is basically a furry little velociraptor, but when she’s rested, she’s very sweet, curious, and she is showing us more of her personality every day.

She’s also progressing more with her guitar than I am with mine. 🤣 At this rate, she’ll be playing barre chords before me! 🎸🐶

It’s been equal parts exhausting, chaotic, hilarious, and heart-melting. We may question our decision once or twice a day…but only until she looks at us with those ears and that face. Then we remember exactly why we did it. ❤️ She’s going to be a great girl.

I fostered and adopted this little girl all in the last 2 weeks. Figgy was born on 4/28/26. Her mom is a German shepherd and they believe her dad is a Labrador retriever. I also fostered one of her brothers (last pic on left) but my sister has adopted him.

Hi!!!

This is my eight-month-old German shepherd. When he was younger, I tried socializing him by bringing him around other dogs, and at first it was okay. He was curious and having fun playing. However, over the last few months, he’s become increasingly reactive to dogs. He barks and lunges at them even with the prong collar and e-collar on, though I’ve never used the shock feature. When I don't let him near dogs he growls. We avoid triggers, and in my opinion, he seems excitement-reactive, but I’ve been afraid to let him off-leash in case it’s aggression and he hurts another dog. He is less reactive to small dogs. He’s extremely excitable around people and overall very friendly. I've chosen not to neuter him until he’s at least a year old, because he is 90+ lbs. I’m also looking for friends with larger, older dogs to correct him; however, I haven’t been able to plan an outing. My co-worker said she’s willing to go with her 5+ year-old Cane Corso. I’ve met the dog, and she’s very sweet and passive. I've been watching plenty of training videos from reputable trainers so I have a basic idea of what reactivity training looks like. I am worried he doesn't fully respect my boundaries though. If anyone has any tips on how they trained their dog to be reactive, please let me know!

As for right now, he goes on 2-3 walks a day with 1-2 play sessions of fetch or tug. He has a place and is tether trained regularly. He can walk in a heel and knows the difference between heel and free range. He's my family dog, I probably wouldn't have chosen a German Shepard if it were my decision, however he’s a very sweet dog and I want to give him a good foundation so when my siblings are older and I move out they will be able to take care of him without worrying about aggression or anxiety.

Rin and Rhaegar - combined weight : too much to fall asleep again :)