Posted on 12/12/2012 9:30:38 PM PST by chrisinoc
At the end of tonight’s Glenn Beck Program, the host paid a special tribute to a member of the Beck family not often mentioned on radio or television, the family’s canine elder statesman, Victor the German Shepherd.
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
Sorry about any spelling or typo errors, one of my German Shepherds keeps pawing me.
God Bless Victor, the German Shepherd.
There is no better friend to man than dog, and there is no better dog than the German Shepherd.
My shepherd is well more than 13 years old now. He has lived past his expectancy. He is still very healthy, solid, alert and still squeaks his toy every night like a pup.
I think he is still healthy because he helps keep me healthy by walking me every day. Or at least seeing to it that I walk him every day.
I know the decision Glenn is facing, I have faced it before and will face it again soon enough.
We do this because we love them and we don’t want them to know pain. We will see our friends again in the end.
Amen.
I saw this and it brought tears to my eyes. I have two little guys of my own(A Shih Tzu named Maxie and a Pomeranian/Maltese mix named Nemo) I couldn’t imagine anything ever happening to them..they are my babies. God Bless Victor he is a special dog
It’s good for Glenn to face loss like this, it will prepare him him for the loss of the country in the next four years...
Chris37,
Thank you for your devotion to your German Shepherd.
Here are mine:
http://gsroc.org/available_dogs_detail.asp?ID=1982
http://gsroc.org/available_dogs_detail.asp?ID=2122
plus one current foster dog:
http://gsroc.org/available_dogs_detail.asp?ID=2526
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, and 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
Simply beautiful dogs, chrisinoc.
I especially like the third picture of Charity where I can see the friendliness of her brown eyes.
Jake reminds me of my own with his floppy ear. When I first adopted Grianger, I also had a chow who was alpha. He showed Grainger the fang right away, so Grainger’s left ear never straightened until Red Dog had passed away some 10 years later.
Robbie is a gorgeous male Shepherd. His build reinds me of my dog’s, sleek and muscular. He also looks so friendly.
Did you adopt these three dogs? I am just curious because those pages make it seem as if they are up for adoption.
I thought that after Grainger passes I may have to take a break from dogs, even if it’s just to de-hair the house a bit...but seeing those dogs and knowing that there are so many good dogs that need good homes, I may have to adopt again sooner than I thought.
I had thought sometimes in the past, when I was sad about losing a dog, that it is the Lord’s way of giving us an opportunity to give a home to a new angel, and when I did, that sadness was gone.
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
Those words are truth and beauty. Thank you for posting them, Kartograhper. I have not seen those before and I am very happy to have read them.
When our little girl Chow Chow farts, she looks back to see what made the noise.
She’s not quite as dumb as (call me) Senator Barbara Boxer, but she isn’t far behind.
She only gets “smart” when Food is involved. Kind of like a Democrat when my Wallet is involved.
I am at peace with my two dogs who passed naturally at home, but I will forever be haunted leaving my wonderful Scruffy at the Vets, never really knowing how they got rid of him. It is so much easier when that decision doesn't have to be made.
I feel sad for Glenn as it is a very hard decision to make. I have seen an heard that German Shepards hind quarters go out on them and they end up dragging the hind quarters.
Believe me, it is tough, I went through with with many of my cats. We lost Whitey, my half Snowshoe Cat, exactly two months ago.
Yes. That is also what happened to my beloved junk yard chow, Red Dog.
I believe he lead a rough life before he came in off the streets of New Orleans and adopted me. He had 10 good years of daily walks, ball fetching, squirrel chasing, begging strips and rib bones before he became unable to lift himself at the rear. He lost control of his business at that time as well and then went blind. All of this happened inside of 2 months or so. He had to be sent home then.
Grainger’s hind quarters are still solid. It is my hope that our daily walks keep them strong as long as possible. I don’t want to face any days without him.
I feel for Glenn Beck. Prayers for him, the family, and the dog.
I know this is a dog thread, but last night when I went to go to bed, I found my cat Sugar dead on her favorite chair in my bedroom. She died in her sleep.
Sugar had been a bedraggled, pregnant stray dumped at the local shelter. She was pure white with green eyes, and a wonderful loving character. I adopted her out of the shelter as a companion for my invalided mother, dying of lung cancer. Mom passed away in 2006 and Sugar decided to cozy up with my Dad, who was afflicted with Alzheimers. When Dad went into assisted living mode, Sugar moved into my bedroom, I suppose deciding it would be the best place to sleep during the day, right under the covers.
She probably never experienced good nutrition when young, and had an array of allergies and health problems that we eventually controlled. She was loving towards people and other animals, especially towards my English Springer Spaniel. She fostered a couple of kittens I had taken in as rescues and maintained a close affectionate relationship with them when they became adult cats.
Sugar will be missed, and not just by myself. She loved people and loved attention. There was not a mean streak in her.
For everyone who has a good canine and feline friend, I know your pain. It will be a long time before the emptiness leaves me. Good thing I have six more cats and two dogs.
It’s difficult. I lost an 11 year old female cat 2 years ago to kidney failure. That seems to be the achiles heal of older cats who manage to avoid parasites, car tires, and coyotes. I still have an old male tabby who will be 14 next month. He worked through the urinary tract issue when he was 10 and hasn’t had a problem with that since. I have noticed he seems to have slightly more difficult jumping up onto the bed at night, but relatively speaking he seems to be in good cheer.
For the ping list
I’ll tell ya, it takes a long time to get over the death of a pet. I lost my black cat Hoot about 5 months ago and I’m still not quite over it. Something happens to stir up a memory and I feel sad all over again. Loved my cat.
Love dogs too. When younger had a German Shepherd for many years. Then do to lifestyle, switched over to cats. I like most animals. Horses, pigs, birds of all kinds, and most others to look at and admire. Don’t understand people who don’t like animals. Feel sorry for them, as animals bring much joy, except for when they finallly pass on. That day is a lousy one indeed.
We adopted an nine-year-old Australian Shepherd mix about a year and a half ago and he is the most solid old guy you’d ever meet. When he gets running he is like a rolling bag of quik-crete! Strider has a bum knee/hip, vets don’t know why, but arthritis has set in. We have a monthly appointment with our holistic vet who does acupuncture, chiropratic adjustments and prescribes Chinese herbs to slow the progression of the arthritis and relieve his pain. We aso have physcal therapy exercises to do with (on) him. It really works and he comes back from his appointments frisking around like a puppy.
I just wish this stuff had been an option 20 years ago, when we had to put down our first dog (lab), after his hips went out.
:-*
I feel for the Beck family. To lose a faithful companion and protector leaves a huge hole in one’s heart, particularly when that protector has a wet nose and a wagging tail.
It is tough. We have lost 2 shepherds this year. One through stomach flipping and the other liver cancer which was a surprise. She died in my arms. Soon we will lose her sister who was diagnosed with bone cancer a few months ago. Odd, we thought she would be the first to go as she was diagnosed before the others; but she is not ready yet.
It has been a very tearful year and hard to get through.
These threads always get to me...my son just lost his dog..I’ve also lost many, and you never get over it..here’s a prayer I received the other day..Hear our humble prayer,O God, for our friends the animals,especially for animals who are suffering for animals that are over-worked,underfed and cruely treated;for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;for all that must be put to death..we entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compsion and gentle hands and kind words..make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful...
I'm very sorry for your loss.
bookmark
Remember her well.
When I was young my family owned a number of dogs (though never more than three at a time). One of them was a German shepherd named Susie. She was small as German shepherds go, but she still had that deep bark. When people came up the driveway and saw her at the front of the house barking, they wouldn’t get out of their cars, at least not until my parents told them Susie wouldn’t harm them.
She was a good dog. We had to put her down though, due to hip problems, and she was the only dog we ever had to do that for. Most of the rest met their end on the highway that ran past our house.
Incidentally, one of our other dogs was named Spunky. My dad ended up giving her to an animal shelter because she had an annoying habit of biting car tires; she could actually puncture sidewalls with her teeth! We didn’t find out he’d gotten rid of her, though, until my sister realized she hadn’t seen Spunky in the yard for a few days.
Sorry for your loss.
I have been there and had to make that decision twice. It’s heart wrenching but you have to do what is right for the animal and for me, to have faith that there really is a rainbow bridge!
SatinDoll, I’m so sorry about the loss of Sugar. God bless you for adopting her and giving her a good, happy life full of love.
I am very sorry for your loss.
I’m Still Here
Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I’ll never wander out of your sight
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.
I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me, friend, I’m everyplace!
Author Unknown
SatinDoll lost her kitty, not me. I’m sure she appreciates your messages.
I’m very sorry for your loss, I know what it is like. I lost Whitey, my half Snowshoe Cat, two months ago.
I am crying my heart out, for my losses, for Beck, Victor and all of you who have faced or are facing the inevitable goodbye.
In my life I have had many, many cats (at one time 9), delightful, lovable companions or better yet our kids. Not a single one died peacefully, we always had to make the decision for them.
I lost the last one two years ago. Angie had been my consolation, my strength, my shadow as her love helped me in the loss of my husband. She knew, she searched the house for days or would be at the window waiting for his return. She accepted in the way all animals do and then gave all her love to me as mine was for her. We could look in each other eyes and know what each felt.
Maybe we humanize them too much but when one lives with a pet for so long - Angie lived to be 19 - we are in tune and they sense things in a way we can’t. The last day of her life, she always slept on the pillow near my cheek, she was under the covers with her head on my heart. She knew.
I am sorry; it was another person but sorry to SatinDoll too.
I am very sorry to hear that. Take comfort in the fact she passed in a place where she was cared for and loved.
Thank you - all of you - for your kind words and sentiments. It is very comforting.
God bless and keep you Satin Doll.
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