We hate ending the year on a sad note, but we were just notified that our 2011 Alumnus Dash has passed away.  He was found as a stray in Perry, GA and was fostered by our volunteer Kerrie who found the most amazing home for him with Lorrin and her family.
 
Lorrin said, “His absence has been a huge adjustment here.  When we adopted him, it was estimated that he was born around July of 2010 because he was the size of a puppy, but he never grew anymore and was just a little 38 lb. boy. Our vet estimated that he was likely born in 2009ish. He spent most of his life sleeping in bed with our boys and was the best companion to them we could have ever dreamed of. He loved going on the trails with us on foot or mountain bikes. We’re heartbroken. He was our first GSP and our family dog for our boys’ childhoods.” 
 
We are so thankful that Dash had such an amazing life with his family – he was truly loved and cherished.
 
“Every boy should have two things: a dog, and parents willing to let him have one.” Anonymous

​We have such sad, devastating news to share… our Alabama foster, Bear, has passed away.  His foster mom Natalie said he simply went out into the yard, laid down, then never got back up.  It was incredibly tragic, but peaceful.

Bear came to rescue with two other hunting dogs in Alabama. He had heartworms and Osteoarthritis and we’re pretty sure he was older than 10.  He was a senior and had never experienced indoor life or being loved.  Well… he had SO MUCH love from his foster family and the night before he passed, Natalie said he was extra cuddly and couldn’t get enough of his humans.  He might have sensed his end was near and he was saying his farewell and thanking his family.

Natalie said, “It’s true what they say…you never know when it will be the last time you see someone and I’m just so thankful that my last time with him was filled with lots of hugs and rubs. He was so happy and content.  I asked for his paw print because I just loved his big ol paws and he was always standing on top of my feet with those paws.’

​“How very softly you tiptoed into our world, almost silently, only a moment you stayed.  But what an imprint your footsteps have left upon our hearts.”  Dorothy Ferguson

​Our dear 2018 Alumna Bella has passed away and her mom Melissa told Bella’s story so well:
 
“Bella was my first addition to my home from the SEGSP rescue.  She was a 9-year-old that apparently came from an abusive situation and needed a fresh start.  She was my 2nd GSP but presented a lot of challenges as it was my first time integrating a new alpha dog into my pack.  She was skittish, scared of people and felt the need to make her presence known.  Everyone at the rescue was great and taught me that structure, routine, and discipline are the finest form of love for a rescue...especially the ones that don't understand that humans are good.  
 
Bella went from being scared of all strangers, showing very little personality and having to be the center of attention, to being an incredible dog!  She always had this stoic face as if to say, "bet you'll never guess what I'm thinking!"  She loved her walks, chasing rabbits and our 2 albino squirrels in my neighborhood and our cuddles on the couch.  She also loved secretly hunting for food in my house while I was gone.  She was very possessive of me but in a good way.  I was her person.  She got to go a lot of places in her 5 years with me and she sure loved her car rides hanging her head out the window.  
 
She taught me so much in her time with me.  She taught me that great relationships take time to build and that you never know the situation someone came from.  But most importantly, she taught me to never quit on someone.  My friends were all desperate to win her over and some took longer to do it than others.  But as Bella got comfortable with me and in my home, my tribe pulled back her callused layers one at a time and we all got to see the sweet girl behind that mysterious face.  Seeing Bella confident, enjoying life, relaxed and excited about the small joys is one of my proudest moments as a dog owner. 
 
The ladies at the rescue told me that the hardest ones to break will be the ones that truly break your heart.  Saturday my heart broke.  She was diagnosed with 2 tumors on Friday and Saturday I had to say goodbye.  It all happened so fast I still can't believe it.  Someday I will see that the speed of her illness was a blessing to both of us, but I'm not there yet.  I still look for her when I walk in the door and as I move about my house.  The silence is deafening.  Making her eggs every morning, coming up with our next new weekly adventure and taking pride in the role I got to play in her life every day, was something I will cherish forever.  
 
Bella was complicated but we got each other.  And Livie and Roddy found a way to show Bella that being part of a pack is a good thing.  Roddy especially brought a side out of Bella I could only have hoped was there.  Roddy taught Bella that life is fun and that she didn't have to be so serious all the time.  It was so special to see the bond they formed in the last 2 years.  They were my pack, and I was their leader...now they are in heaven together along with my precious Livie and Britt.”
 
 
“And I'd choose you, in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you.” Kiersten White

​Another SEGSP alumnus has passed away.  Murphy, formerly Pie from AL, was brought into rescue in 2010 and found his loving forever home with the Saupp family.

His mom said, “I adopted my best friend from SEGSP over 13 years ago on August 2nd, 2010. His name was Pie and renamed Murphy.  He passed away unexpectedly on October 16, 2023.  What a wonderful puppy he was who lived an amazing life at almost 14 years old. He was the best decision of my life and brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined. He will be missed every day and our memories together I will cherish forever. Murphy, no matter how long I got to love you, it wasn’t long enough.”

“Through the darkness of grief, we can see the light of love which transcends death. And with the pain can come gratitude for the gift of time we had, the love that was shared and the power to become a better person because they loved us.”  Unknown

​We have sad news to share… our 2011 Alumnus, Freckles, has passed away.
Freckles came to rescue in Georgia and was fostered by our longtime volunteer, Lissa in Alabama.  This beautiful girl was lucky that her foster mom found the best home for her, and she lived a long life loved and cherished by the Kirkpatrick family.
Freckles’ mom said, “She was such a beautiful and sweet dog. She will be dearly missed.”
 
Our hearts go out to the Kirkpatrick family…
 
“While dogs may leave in body, their spirit always remains. May the happy memories you cherish serve as comfort through the pain.”  Saleema Lookman
 
#FrecklesForever    #GSPlove   #GSPremembrance

We are sad to announce the passing of another alumnus, Polly.
​
Polly came to rescue as a stray in 2013 from a shelter in Alabama and was diagnosed with heartworms.  Our founder, Beth Cochran, gave her treatment and she was fostered by our Alabama volunteer, Michelle.  Polly was adopted in April of 2013 and lived out her life filled with love and adventures. 
 
Her dad Lucian said, “Polly came to live with me April 17, 2013. After finding an escape proof harness we settled in. In weeks Polly had me completely trained and reigned on. She gave me 10+ wonderful years of joy. In early September the vet and I helped her to sleep after a huge cancer was found in her belly. I miss her and love her.”
 
“Love is missing someone whenever you’re apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you’re close in heart.”  Kay Knudsen
 
 
#GSPforever   #GSPmemories     #GSPlove

​We received very sad news that our 2011 Alumnus Tag has left on his journey to the Rainbow Bridge.  He was fostered by our longtime volunteer Kathy in NC and after trying a couple homes, he was returned and another longtime volunteer, our Vet Advisor DeWana, met Tag and Kathy while at a sporting store and fell in love with him.
 
DeWana said, “He was the perfect friend for me from the very day he came home.  He loved the woods in the area, and we went out on the trails everyday rain, sleet, snow and sunshine and he ran and chased and had the best time.  He did not enjoy getting his feet wet, and even in his old age, he'd run and try to clear any puddle or creek without getting his toes in.  He loved Stagger and was a great big brother and mentor for him.  About December of last year, he started collapsing in the woods and the diagnosis was most likely a slow growing brain tumor as he lasted another 11 months with the energy and enthusiasm to continue to run each day and enjoy his life.  We miss the old man every day.”
 
We can visualize Tag running at the Rainbow Bridge and it makes us smile…
 
“Every run is a work of art, a drawing on each day’s canvas.  Some runs are shouts and some runs are whispers.  Some runs are eulogies and others celebrations.” Dagney Scott Barrios