At that time, we had Layla, who was about 5 years old. The shelter staff said walk them outside towards each other for a nice introduction. Roxie looked at Layla and it was love at first sight. Layla took one look and said, oh, hell no! It took about 2 weeks, but Roxie was persistent and convincing, and they became best friends. They would cuddle together, and Layla was in charge of cleaning Roxie's ears, which Roxie thoroughly enjoyed.

Our family expanded to a total of 4 dogs over the next few years. Zoe was our youngest dog, a shepherd mix, and Roxie was protective of her. Zoe was very smart and figured out that when the school bus drove by, it meant the kids were walking up the driveway, so she and Roxie would run to the top of the drive to greet them. They also knew the text tones for when the kids needed to be picked up from school or activities and would run to my car to come along for the ride. Our Girl Scout troop taught Roxie how to "shake" in one badge session and she would always give you a good shake when requested. We called her the "fun police" as she disapproved of too much rowdiness by the other girls, and insisted on equity when treats were distributed. Roxie was sweet, gentle, and mostly a couch potato who liked to hang out with the family. After being attacked by bigger dogs on a walk with Layla when she was young, she never really enjoyed walks but did like to sit next to Layla in the yard to survey her territory and chase off the deer who strayed to close.

Her nicknames were baby dog, Foxy Roxie, Roxie doodle, Rockhead, and the Roxinator. When we did crate training, we would say, Roxie in the boxie! And she would!

We lost Zoe, Jasmine, and Layla in 2018. Roxie took the loss of Layla very hard, as we all did. We brought home Kona in April, 2019, when she was 3 months old, and Kona immediately fell in love with Roxie. Roxie was not as sure. She was gentle and kind, but we realized that for her, there was only one Layla. She and Kona got along well, although Kona did get on her nerves sometimes!

Within the past 1-2 years, we noticed that Roxie could not jump up on the bed or sofa anymore. She started needing help going up and down the stairs, and had falls. We knew she had arthritis in her knees and hips, but this seemed different. After some research, we figured out that she had degenerative myelopathy, which is like Lou Gehrig's disease in humans. It causes progressive muscle weakness and has no treatment. I did try supplements and harnesses to try and keep her moving, but in the past few months, she got significantly worse. She was still the same Roxie, loved her food, loved to be petted and kissed, wanted to be with us, but she could only walk a few steps, could not stand to eat or drink, and had trouble maintaining posture to do her outside business. We finally made the difficult decision to let her go before things could get a lot worse for her.

Today, 12/31/2022, with the help of a kind vet who came to her home, she passed very peacefully and easily, lying on her comfy bed and blanket, with us holding her and telling her what a good girl she's been and how much we love her. It's the hardest and best thing we have ever done.

We will miss Roxie so much as she has been with us over 13 years and gave us so much love and taught us so much about German Shepherd Dogs. We would never have adopted Zoe or Jasmine or brought Kona into our homes with out the loving experience Roxie gave us. There will never be another Roxie and while I don't think we will ever get over the loss of her from our lives, we are so blessed to have had her with us, have so many great memories, that we can hold on to those as time moves forward.

Roxie, I hope as you cross the Rainbow Bridge, Layla, Jasmine, and Zoe are right there to welcome and comfort you. I hope you can visit us in our dreams. We will never forget our sweet girl.

3/4/2023 You have been gone 2 months now, baby girl. When Layla died, she went in her sleep after showing signs of decline, at age 14 so while sad, it was an easy release for her and we were grateful. Zoe was dangerous and suffering so it was the best thing to do for her and the family. Jasmine was deaf, blind, mostly immobile, so the sudden illness was probably merciful as life was difficult for her. You were a slow and difficult goodbye as your health failed, and the hardest. My first GSD, you were not what I expected. Absolutely you were brave and vigilant, but I didn't know GSDs were so loving and sweet. You taught me so much about GSDs and dogs in general and opened a space in my heart that will never be replaced by anyone or anything else. I miss you every day my sweet Roxie dog.

12/31/23 I think about you every day, my baby dog Roxie. You are never far from my thoughts. It's been an entire year now. A lot has happened: I changed jobs and now work from home which would have been so great if you could have been here, too, but Kona definitely likes it. Sarah went to Japan so Yummi came to stay and since Sarah's apartment became mouse-infested, they are both here and I think you would have not really cared about a cat in the house. Kona and Yummi are not so sure of each other, which makes for some issues. I never said any of you were a favorite, but you, Roxie, were special to me in many ways. You were the first GSD and taught me so much about that, since I thought you were all big, scary, mean police type dogs. I never know a GSD could be so sweet, kind, loving, and intuitive. The day you came to live with us, I never considered that you would not be with us forever. I have to think that in some way you are always with us, and I sure hope there is a way to be with you again. Love you, my foxy Roxie.

Please also visit Jasmine, Layla and Zoe.