Living Love
If you ever love an animal,
there are three days in your life you will always remember...............................

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your
young new friend.
You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed.
You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets,
or done long research in finding a breeder.
Or, Perhaps in a fleeting moment,
you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--
simply because something in its eyes reached your heart.
But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore,
and claim its special place in your hall or front room when you feel it
brush against you for the first time it instills a feeling of pure love
you will carry with you through the many years to come.

‡

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later.
It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional.
But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your long-time friend
and see age where you once saw youth.
You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy.
You will see sleep where you once saw activity.
So you will begin to adjust your friend´s diet and you may add
a pill or two to her food.
You may feel a growing fear deep within yourself,
which bodes of a coming emptiness.
And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off,
until the third day finally arrives.



On this day if your friend and God have not decided for you,
then you will be faced with making a decision of your own
on behalf of your lifelong friend,
and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit.
But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you,
you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.
If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must.
And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle
of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.
But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years,
you may find that a soul a bit smaller in size than your own seems to walk with you,
at times, during the lonely days to come.
And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen,
you may feel something brush against your leg very lightly.
Looking down at the place where you’re dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lie
you will remember those three significant days.
The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart
As time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own.
You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you.
If you reject it, it will depress you.
If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way,
it will still be an ache.



But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when
along with the memory of your pet and piercing through the heaviness in your heart
there will come a realization that belongs only to you.
It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved,and lost.
This realization takes the form of a Living Love,
like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted,
this love will remain and grow and be there for us to remember.
It is a love we have earned.
It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go.
And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live.
It is a love which is ours alone.
And until we ourselves leave,
perhaps to join our beloved pets it is a love that we will always possess.



written by Martin Scot Kosins

As dog owners we owe it to them, ourselves and society, to have a happy, sociable, well mannered pet. A dog thrives on love, but still needs to be guided to what is acceptable and not acceptable behaviour.
Training a dog is a journey which you travel together; it is a lifelong journey that should be enjoyable and fun. it will be full of different adventures and like any journey there will be frustrations, and errors along the way, but the love, bond and trust, you will gain, will reward you 100 times over. There are many different methods of training and you have to find the one that suits your dog, books training clubs ect: are there as a guide, training clubs are good for socialising but don’t expect to go once a week and that’s it. It’s up to you to put the work in at home, most teaching can be taught indoors, or garden and once your dog knows the basic commands, incorporate some training during your walks but don’t overdo it and bore yourself and your dog to death. 15/20 mins a day varied good training is better than 1hrs bad, dedication, understanding, love and patience is needed, Never loose your temper in training and always finish on something the dog has done correctly, always play with your dog when he has done a good exersise,some dogs are easier to train than others irrespective of breed.

There is rarely a bad dog, usually its the handler. Think of the dog as similar to a car! lt will go in the direction in which it is guided, Bad Driver ( dangerous car) Bad Handler ( dangerous dog)
NEVER train your dog if you are not in the mood for it, as it will not be successful, and you will only upset your dog.Training should be enjoyable for both yourself and the dog, at the journeys end,you should have a Happy, Social and well ajusted companion not forgetting the bond that will have developed between you.

Remember PATIENCE-PRAISE and PLAY.
A well trained dog is a HAPPY dog.

So, you think you may like to own a German Shepherd Dog?
Firstly, let’s consider the following: A German Shepherd Dog does require attention. The breed is a working dog and therefore is an active breed and needs physical and mental stimulation. You must be prepared for a daily walk, time to play with your dog and attend obedience training. You must be prepared to receive this dog as part of your family.

If you want a German Shepherd Dog as a guard dog for your home/business only, then this breed is NOT for you. The German Shepherd Dog doesn’t cope well with being locked away, behind four walls, 24 hours a day. They are a working dog and as such has an active mind which must be stimulated. If you don’t give your dog the exercise and attention it needs, behavioral problems can occur.
Noisy, unnecessary barking may develop, as well as behaviors that are not usual for the breed. Behavioral problems will eventually lead to complaints by your neighbors, bringing you to the attention of local council Animal Control Officers, possibly leading to heavy fines and the eventual seizure of your dog. If you want a German Shepherd Dog for a guard dog only, buy a good, electronic burglar system.

The German Shepherd Dog lives on average for 10-12 years. Are you prepared to take full responsibility for this dog and all its needs for the next 10-12 years or more? This is NOT a task that can be done by children! This is a partnership for life. Are you prepared for that?

Are you active? Assertive? Respectful? And responsible?
As a German Shepherd Dog needs an owner who is all of these. The German Shepherd Dog is not a lap dog. Both you and your dog must respect each other. This is where you must be assertive and responsible. From this will develop undying loyalty from your dog and yourself. Not only will you both greet each other with gusto on your return home, but you will both have a communication which allows your dog to either act with independence around you or happy to be included in whatever you do.

You do not want a dog that dictates the ‘rules of the house’. The developing German Shepherd Dog puppy, requires firm and sensible discipline when young, with emphasis on socializing your puppy, having them become use to unusual and noisy situations, developing them into a fun loving dog and confident with life and a totally tractable and admired dog within our community. Are you prepared to invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion? This does not happen by itself!!!

The ideal owner of a German Shepherd Dog will join a German Shepherd Dog Club and/or a local obedience club where weekly lessons together with daily exercise will greatly enhance your ability to understand your German Shepherd Dog and train your dog to a level of acceptable behavior.
So you have answered yes to all the above?
l suggest that you seek advice and view more than one litter before you purchase your new puppy. When you attend to view puppies, ensure you take notice of the following: The kennels environment is clean and free of vermin, Puppies are all healthy, lively and happy, healthy Puppies have clear eyes, and good clean coats, and ask to see the mother.


The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a large, active dog with a double coat. This double coat sheds and sheds and sheds and sheds, year round, and produces greater volumes of fur when the dogs "blow coat" in the spring and fall. Some shed more than others, but be sure that your vacuum will become your best friend. For some owners, this is not a trivial point. Being a large dog, expect muddy paw prints in the house every time it rains.

The breed was developed for service as a herding and general purpose working animal. Their desire to "work" or do something is genetic, and is stronger in some GSDs than others. Many GSDs end up in shelters precisely because they are working animals. Their first family really just wanted a couch-potato. Think about this carefully!

Most adult GSDs are handsome, giving, loyal, active, loving, protective and intelligent. Without proper guidance and training, GSDs can be rambunctious, destructive of property, obnoxious, and exhausting to live with. It is up to you to guide your dog to suit your lifestyle and that of your family.

Many GSDs can also become overly protective/territorial if they do not receive the level of leadership in the household that they respect and want to follow. Who is really running the show in your house? Evaluate this objectively. If it isn´t you or your dog doesn´t believe it´s you, then your German Shepherd Dog will assume that responsibility himself, and will run things as a dog will, not as a human being will. (After all, he´s just a dog!) In many instances, the dog way of running the world is NOT how humans would like, and we get calls from owners about overt protective and territorial behaviors showing up and getting out of control. It all has to do with YOU.

Most, if not all, GSDs need training and a structured lifestyle to thrive and become a canine good citizen. Training is not something you do once in an 8 week obedience class...training is teaching, every day, You need to make sure the dog is following your rules for most of the dog´s life!

In addition, your leadership skills are something you will employ all of the time. Clarity, follow-through, fairness, and showing your dog that there are immediate consequences for all actions (good and not good) make all the difference! If you do this kind of thing naturally or work on doing it, owning a GSD can be the most amazing experience of your life. If you don´t want to commit to this level of mental and physical stimulation for your dog, and to this level of leadership bearing that you and your household need to employ as a lifestyle, please check out other more suitable breeds.

GSDs are known for being an "intelligent" breed. Remember that "intelligent" can be a nice thing in that your dog can learn quickly *if* you communicate with him well. However, "intelligent" can also mean that your dog has a need for physical and mental activity and stimulation, just like an intelligent child does. A bored GSD will often find his own excitement and stimulation, which might include digging, barking, herding small children around, "creating" toys out of household furniture or the children´s toys, etc. GSDs need exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation almost every day to be on their best behavior. Training never stops.
The rewards you will reap are untold loyalty love and affection.

´´FOR DELLA´S MAN´´
Della was a much loved, beautiful GSD bitch whose owner,because of her incurable illness, had to make the heartbreaking decision to have her put to sleep to save further suffering.

If it should be l grow frail and weak
and pain should wake me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can´t be won.
..........................................................
You will be sad -l understand-
Don´t let your grief then stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.
............................................................
We´ve had so many happy years
What is to come will hold no fears
You´d not want me to suffer,so
When the time comes-please let me go
..............................................................
Take me where my needs they´ll tend
Only stay with me ´till the end
Hold me firm and speak to me
Untill my eyes no longer see
.................................................................
I know in time you to will see
It is a kindness you do to me
Although my tail it´s last has waved
From pain and suffering i´ve been saved
....................................................................
Do not grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do
We´ve been so close-we two-these years
Dont let your heart hold any tears.

Bach & Offenbach.

Trust in me my friend for I am your comrade.
I will protect you with my last breath.
When all others have left you
And the loneliness of the night closes in,
I will be at your side.
Together we will conquer all obstacles
And search out those who might wish harm to others.
All I ask of you is compassion,
The caring touch of your hands.
It is for you that I will selflessly give my life
And spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
May be marked by the passing of the seasons.
Know that each day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by
The coming and going of your footsteps.
I anticipate them at the opening of the door.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill.
The voice of authority over me when I´ve done wrong.
Do not chastise me unduly
For I am your right arm,
The sword at your side.
I attempt to do only what you bid of me.
I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.
Together you and I shall experience
A bond only others like you will understand.
When outsiders see us together
Their envy will be measured by their disdain.
I will quietly listen to you
And pass no judgement.
Nor will your spoken words be repeated.
I will remain ever silent,
Ever vigilant, ever loyal.
And when our time together is done
And you move on in the world,
Remember me with kind thoughts and tales.
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us undetected.
If we should ever meet again on another field
I will gladly take up your fight.
I am a Police Working Dog and together
We are GUARDIANS of the NIGHT.
-author unknown

l was born and grew up in Bonnie Scotland, and was fortunate to live in the country where we had lots of animals. Gsd´s have been a way of life for me since l was born (am told) l learned to walk, with the aid of one, and my love for them has never dwindled, l started handling them ln the showring when l was 7yrs old and have also done obedience with all my dogs. l now live in England, and have never been without a gsd, and have also owned Akita´s.l was a home foster- er for a gsd rescue/welfare, taking in dogs who needed lots of t.l.c.
We also kept Ferrets for around 11yrs, most of which were rescues and did ferret racing & showing in aid of Ferret Rescue/welfare.
A DREAM COME TRUE.
One of the highlights of my life,was meeting DAKOTA, a beautiful Wolf, l met her through the UK WCT, she was tall and leggy, her grey coat had a bluish tint, in the sunlight she had the most beautiful eyes, l could almost feel her looking into my soul.as l stroked her, l felt so honoured and humble and could feel the power behind this amazing animal.A memory l shall treasure forever.
Sadly in 2007 she developed cancer, but at present is holding her own, born in 1998. lf you like wolves l´m sure you will enjoy my video.