A few years have past since Rocky and Mati passed - and in the Fall of 2016 Rocky (yes, same name) came to me needing a home. After being in contact with Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, I was undecided. After visiting with several fosters thru meet-and-greets, I just wanted to take them all home. Clearly this was not going to be an easy decision. Then, a foster parent called me and thought I should meet "Rocky" - a newly surrendered GSD that came to him. It was a kind-of chilling moment. I thought it was a little bit more than interesting he had the same name as Rocky-I. Anyhow, we met, and chilling moment #2...he was virtually the identical image of Rocky-I - when he was young - same shape, size, color. Given all the shepherds I saw with Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, no two looked alike. I was asked if I wanted to take Rocky home for an overnight stay. It wasn't the whole day, nor hours, but maybe minutes after getting home that Rocky said "I'm home Dad" and made himself comfortable. It was a little chilling. The next day the foster parent asked me how things were going. I simply replied "I think he's home". It was set, paperwork would follow but before I got off the phone, I said "By the way, I know he's almost a year old, but do you know when his birthday is?" He replied "it's on the paperwork I have here - yes, it's 15-November." Chilling moment number 3....Well that's interesting, that's my birthday. Rocky acted as if he was home and there wasn't a moment of anxiety or trouble. We walked to Mount Vernon Alexandria, and I introduced him to the neighborhood. When Rocky joined me, he had very little training. Sit, Stay, Come... were all foreign to him. He was just a goof. On one rainy day, I was drying his feet with a towel, and instinctively I said "TURN" so I could get the other feet... and he pivoted, making a 180-degree turn. Shocking and Chilling moment number 4. I didn't teach him that - but I did teach Rocky-I that maneuver. Well anyhow, it's now been almost 4 years with Rocky and I thought it might be time to start up the GSD-Life Blog! I hope you are all well! - Love Mike and Rocky

Mati - Dec 15, 1994 - June 10, 2011

Most of you probably know, but thought I would post; On Friday, the 10th of June at 11:15 AM, sweet Mati passed away after 16 and one-half years. It was a matter of happenstance that I was with her at the time of her passing. We had just arrived home and she was taking a nap. I was by her side when she simply slipped away.

She was a loving and sweet girl and I loved her so very much. She came to Rocky and I needing a home. She became a sister to Rocky and he loved her too. They were as thick as thieves. He would steal food and she would eat it. They enjoyed each other’s company and slept side by side. Mati was the leader of the house. First and foremost with Rocky, and then ultimately with me. She told me what she needed and I was all too happy to oblige. It was fun to watch Rocky and Mati get to know each other. The canine power-shift was fast. Rocky thought he was going to lead the pack when she came to join our family…and oh how that was not the case. Rocky quickly stepped back and allowed Mati to rule… and so she did.

Unfortunately, immediately following Rocky passing, she was diagnosed with Cancer.

I have so many wonderful stories and memories of Mati. I would beep her nose and she would get so angry. But if I stopped, she would start wagging her tail and shove her nose into my hand.

I think I did all I could to give her a good and quality life. She and I spent roughly 1,300 hours in the car together, driving to and from “her offices” (her animal hospitals). She really enjoyed the drive and her hospital rounds. For Halloween she wore scrubs and a stethoscope. Her daily rounds not only included saying hello to Doctors, Technicians, and Staff, but she was also good at pointing out food along the way. The kitchen was usually her first stop.

She will always be in my heart, but I know she continues being happy, with Rocky, and free from disease.

Thanks to everyone that followed their lives, I wish you well, and I look forward to seeing your posts on your blogs!

Halloween

Hello All, It's been a long time. I know, we are bad for disappearing like this. We have been holding our own, really. For Halloween I was Dr. Mati. See my scrubs and stethoscope? Dad had scrubs (top) on too. He was my Vet Tech assistant. Gosh, being a Doctor is hard work! I can appreciate all the hard work the Doctors and Techs do!



Dad and I still go to Seneca Hill Animal Hospital every morning and then he comes back to pick me up every night after I finish my shift ;-) They are truly wonderful people there - but we miss Dr. Farnon though. Dr. Slade at the Hope Center is great too as all the folks there. We like seeing him (but of course not too much!). Things are looking good for now. The cancer is still progressing but I still feel good and life is ok. I finally topped out on my weight at 59 pounds. I haven't put on any more weight in a while, but that's ok I think.

So happy fall-time to everyone, I hope you get out to walk thru some leaf piles soon!

Smiles and Tail Wags, Love Mati

It was a good day

The rally for Bear Bear was good, a lot of folks showed up and so did a lot of TV and Newspapers too. (I am holding the orange sign).

WJZ:

http://wjz.com/video/?id=73580@wjz.dayport.com


ABC:

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/anne_arundel_county_/several-people-demonstrate-in-front-of-the-state%27s-attorney%27s-office-in-support-of-bear-bear

FOX 45:

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_4889.shtml

Thank Goodness

We are thankful the Police have re-opened the case against Bear Bear's killer:

As Quoted from the Baltimore Sun;

"[...the department still has not named the officer, who they said fired his personal weapon in the shooting.

Police released a statement Friday saying that after further investigation, the officer's "legal authority to carry a firearm became questionable."

Police initially closed the incident, and said that the state's attorney's office, after reviewing the case, instructed the officers not to file charges.

The investigation into the dog park shooting was reopened Wednesday on the demand of County Executive John R. Leopold, who said a "thorough investigation is warranted." He said, "The priority is to insure the dog parks are safe havens for the dogs and their owners." ...]

Rest In Peace Bear Bear

Bear-Bear, a Red and white Husky was about three years old. He was playing in an off-leash park when a coward - a federal officer with a gun arrived with his german shepherd. The two dogs started playing. The officer pulled out his gun and shot the dog not giving Bear Bear's owner any time to get her dog. The german shepherd didn't have a scratch on him, as one paper reported. There was no need to kill Bear Bear. This man is obviously a coward who needs a gun to express himself. He doesn't deserve to have a dog, shouldn't have a weapon, and belongs in jail. Perhaps justice will be done - I hope Bear Bear's owners take him to court. But being he's a police officer, they will probably promote him and give him an award. This federal officer, who I noticed not one paper has his name printed, is scum in the cesspool of life.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/pawprintpost/post/2010/08/dog-shot-to-death-at-dog-park/1


http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2010/08/bearbears_dad_speaks_out_on_ki.html

All Good!

Harooo!

Mati here! Thank Roos to Lorenza, Ao4, Steve and Kat, Pippa, and JNTR. I've taken Pippa's advice and have taken lots of naps and I am following my PT's direction! My vertigo-go advice to Misery is to take the tablets and then hang your head out the car window! The wind through your fur... I mean hair will help!

Well, I'm reporting in with super great health and having fun! Dad asked the good people at PawPrints to take some candid-portraits of us enjoying life and taking some time to stop and smell the flowers!



This is at a neighbor's house around the corner. She has such a great yard filled with Azaleas and beautiful landscape.



Here I am on exploration. Don't worry! I have a lead on, but you just can't see it or my Dad!



Here we are together. When I wasn't feeling well, Dad carried me around. But every now and then he still picks me up. I let him do it for now, I think it makes him feel better!



Thanks again, everyone stay well!
Tail wags and kisses, Mati

Vertigo-go

Hello all! Just thought I would pop in and tell you how I'm doing... The vertigo is now verti-gone! That's right, no more vertigo!

I'm walking better, and although the stroke left me with a problem on my left side, Dad says I'm All Right! (Gosh Dad, that's bad!) Every day I'm make small steps to walking more straight and being able to navigate bumpy ground and things like a squishy bed. I've even shaken a few times now! (It's hard to shake when you have less control over one side of you). Also, Dad no longer has to hold me when we walk too.

Over time, (and at this rate) with physical therapy and exercises, I might get back to normal.

Thanks for keeping your paws crossed and your tails wagging!

Love Mati