Thank you for the lovely comment.

Each and every dog I have had in my life was special. Merlin had been neglected terribly before he came to us. He was so happy to be loved, we took him everywhere we went. We even made special trips for him to take him to places he seemed to like the most. He was an angle even before he died.

We have had many German Shepards. Most were found in animal shelters and all were unwanted and poorly treated or abused. They all flourished when loved and transformed themselves into loving trusting and gentle beings. We loved each and everyone and in return we were blessed with their love and devotion. Merlin had a particularly cruel and painful life before he came to us. We know most of his story but it is unbearable to recount. His nature was a sweet old dog who just wanted to be loved, so we did our best as did he. His last years on earth he was pampered and celebrated. He was enthusiastic and more than willing to forgive humans. I miss him deeply.

@@ventureoffroading Sorry for your loss. I hope that you will keep giving that love you had for Merlin to future shelter dogs. So many of them need good humans (like ya'll and us) to save them. I lost two dogs during Covid (due to old age and cancer), and we got two more shelter dogs. And, they are the best and most loving puppers ever. Sisters, even, this time. Quite a different experience. They are a bunch of joy, every single day.

@@PoeLemic oh yes we did go straight away and rescue a German shepherd from the animal shelter. She is beautiful and every bit as sweet as Merlin was. We love her already and are getting closer to her every day.

When my husband and I bought our first house in the country we talked about finally getting a dog. I mentioned I wanted a dog like a shepherd or husky. This was a Friday. That Sunday when my husband was mowing the lawn a ratty vehicle went by and threw a puppy out. Turns out she was a husky/Shepard mix. Once of the smartest, goofiest, most lay back dogs ever. We called her Valley girl. We live out in the woods. One day we were walking down a back country road. My easy-going girl turned into a wild, snarling force of 80lb fury. She challenged a huge black bear that walked out of the woods behind me. The bear decided not to mess with this angry dog. We lost her when she was about 16. I miss her every single day!!!!!

@@ventureoffroading adopting an animal will always be rewarded. We save them, but in fact they save us

For me, I hope there is a Heaven for all of us. If so, then (maybe) rest of us will have something to look forward to.

There are no words that can assuage the anguish that envelopes us when our beloved pets pass. But for me it seems imperative to do my best to try to find them. My little video was my way to soothe my own heart ache. I’m certain this is a difficult time for you. I hope your memories sustain your love for Bingo for all time. I’m so sorry for your loss.

@@ventureoffroading Thank you for your kind words.

So sorry for your loss. Its horrible. I lost my basset hound arthur august 2023, hurts so much. Lots of love to you from north east england 😢❤​@debbybridge7064

@@sammymoore2430 Thank you for your kind words.

@@debbybridge7064 Debbie -- sorry for your loss. We lost two dogs during Covid (both to old age and cancer). It was sure hard. I still miss them so much, but the pain is less now. After wife & I couldn't stand it anymore, we got two shelter dogs who were one day (or that day) from being euthanized because no one takes big dogs. Well, they are sisters and are the best friends, ever. Everyday, they bring us job, and the pain of losing our others has diminished now. So, I hope you can slowly release Bingo & know you give him/her the best life that you could, then live your life too and remember that all of us only have so much time here.

I have never found the words to adequately express such grief. I have not felt the passage of time lessened my pain. I can only continue to do what ever I can for the next dog to enter my life. I do this for myself, to honor the memories of my dogs, and I do it for the dogs.

@@ventureoffroading it's an awful thing to experience. Why get a dog if you know you'll feel such pain someday? My way of thinking is that our dogs gave us so many memories and taught us how to love unconditionally. The happy life that they live overshadows the grief we feel when they're gone.

@@ventureoffroading It just takes time to let go. It's hard and sucks bad. Like I said above, we lost 2 over Covid Times. They were older and couldn't save them. But, over time, we realize that our two new dogs need the love that we gave to Oreo and Cocoa. O&C are no longer with us, but our new two sisters need our love more than them.

It is truly a life changing experience to have a dog so special. People who never have loved and been loved by a four legged angel are missing out. I hope your memories of Lucy stay vivid and fresh forever.

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. I have loved all our animals but Merlin was special. All he wanted to do was be with me and my wife and go on adventures. One of the kindest sweetest creatures that ever lived. I miss him terribly.

@@ventureoffroading I understand completely.

Sorry for your loss, @Harry. I mean that. We lost 2 dogs over Covid. They were older and had them for 12y & 15y. Very hard to say goodbye. But, what we had to do, was get two new dogs (two sisters) who are helping us make new memories and let both of our other dogs (Oreo and Cocoa) go. These two sisters were saved from a shelter on death's day, so we saved them just in time. And, they need our love becuase O&C are gone now and aren't coming back. But, two sisters are here with us now and need our love on a daily basis.

@@PoeLemic thanks but no more dogs for me no dog can ever even come close to my best buddy I had him cremated I want his ashes buried with me

I have often felt the same way when a beloved pet passed. I believed for a while I could not bear the sorrow. But if I were to precede my pet, would he understand or forever feel I had abandoned him. We are burdened with this loss and we would be wise to remember we are blessed with understanding with which to temper our grief.

Thank you for your kind words. It warms my heart to know Merlin is still able to touch others even after his passing. We was a marvelous dog and my best friend.

I miss him everyday. We took lots of photos of him, as we do with all our pets, and I have lots of those pictures on a slide show and sometimes I when I watch it, it makes me a bit sad. But for the most part, my heart is uplifted remembering his pure joy and zest for life. The kind words and sentiments from so many wonderful people who watch this video is a gift I truly appreciate. In some way hearing from people who sympathize with losing a dear pet helps keep his sprit alive in me. Thank you for your kind words and best wishes to you and Koda.

@@ventureoffroading amen🙏 I still miss my very first gsd male Bryan I lost in 2005. He was only 7 when he passed . Stay strong mate

I loved him so…he was a good boy.

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Our pets are a gift of joy that comes with a price of terrible loss. I always feel as if I can never suffer such loss again, and yet I do, over and over. Having them in our lives is worth it don’t you think?

I hope God has a strong arm because he loved fetch.