I met Heidi Theis a little over 10 years ago. My family and I were anxious to purchase a purebred German Shepherd, namely because we have always rescued pound puppies and I had always wanted a purebred dog. Being German, Swiss, Italian, it seemed like a perfect "fit" to acquire a German Shepherd. Having owned a Golden Retriever, a ¾ Timber Wolf/Alaskan Malemute and an Australian Shepherd from puppy hood to their deaths, ranging from 12 to 14 years, I have had a fairly great track record with owning nice pets, but again, I had no idea just how different owning a German Shepherd from such good bloodlines would be.

Having just recovered from a near-fatal car accident leaving me with 18 broken bones and wheelchair bound for the lion's share of 6 months, graduating from the chair to a walker and then to crutches for 16 more months, I wanted to gift myself a loyal "new" friend and companion, little did I know the journey I was about to embark upon with a Theishof puppy.

Wolfie was so smart, almost human-like in his mannerisms, he was neutered at an early age, so there was never any intention on showing him or raising a champion, he was to be our pet, our joy and he fulfilled every expectation we had of him and so very much more.
Wolfie became an avid backpacker, a wonderful traveler and throughout his Life he logged many miles with us all, through 10 States, numerous National Parks, many hundreds of miles of hiking trails and some of the prettiest beaches and lakes in the Western United States. He loved car travel and again, being almost human, he would sit up proudly in the front passenger seat, with seatbelt on, ready, willing and able to go anywhere we were planning to take him.

In his last year of Life, we partook in a 5-State move, from his home in Southern CA., to NW Montana, to a beautiful town of Kalispell. It was HIS type of place and the home we moved into was HIS type of place, a 4,000 sq. ft. log home nestled on 7.45 acres of wonderful land - which he was blessed to explore for the short amount of time he still had with us...two months in all.

The 10 years of Wolfie's life was full of joy, happiness and laughter. We have many treasured memories with photos and moments that are forever etched in our hearts and minds. Having just lost my mother last year near Valentine's Day, it was equally difficult to lose my 2nd best friend on Christmas Eve in such a similar manner. The difference was that my Mother left us in a tragic, long-suffering, manner, where we had to witness her slow and painful demise without being able to help comfort her or prevent a lot of her pain. But with Wolfie, we knew that after he suffered a mild stroke after Thanksgiving that if he looked as if he was suffering at all, we made the decision to have him euthanized and had our vet on call from that point forward.

When Wolfie joined us for our family reunion in the Sierras, we figured it would be his last long road trip, but we truly never imagined he would leave us in the manner he did, timing-wise. He had bounced back completely from his initial stroke and now looking back I truly believe he knew I was not ready to let him go quite yet and needed him to be with us for "a bit longer."

The day prior to his passing, he enjoyed one last hike with me and his brother Diesel and ate well and drank well also... his usual perky and enthusiastic self, almost pup-like. But when we drove to the Sierras and I let him out of the car, I could see he seemed "off" and his eyes resembled my mother's eyes in her last hours of Life - I would remember that "look" forever and knew when it appeared in Wolfie's eyes. He was asking for permission to leave and difficult as it was to say goodbye, I leaned over his weak body and whispered softly in his ear, "Wolfie, my love, you can go be with Oma now. You have been the best dog I have ever had and I thank you for being such a loyal companion."

I cannot explain the next few moments without my eyes welling up with tears. Wolfie obeyed his master (me) one last time, because without further adieu, his heart stopped, he curled up into a peaceful slumber and he gasped only a few more times for breath, before Life literally faded from him. I do not think I could ever have witnessed a more peaceful passing and from what others have told me, he wanted to ensure that none of us suffered in the manner we did in witnessing my Mom's slow death. He was going to say goodbye peacefully and quickly and not leave it up to us to have to euthanize him following our return home from our Christmas trip.

To say Heidi Theis' pup, our Wolfie was amazing, is a gross understatement and anyone that knew him or had the pleasure of being in his presence shared our pride of this magnificent creature. His body was laid to rest on our new Montana property on New Year's Eve morning and although we are still mourning his physical absence from our lives daily, the memories he left us with will carry us through our lifetimes.

We have contacted Heidi and have decided to honor Wolfie with acquiring a pup from one of his sister's litters upcoming. I am sure we will be blessed with another amazing animal. There is definitely not a replacement for Wolfie, but I can just imagine another pup with equally wonderful breeding, being outstanding in other ways. We will always remember our precious Wolfie but we also look forward to being blessed with another Theishof puppy and look forward to creating new memories and being forever grateful to Heidi Theis for the dogs she has blessed our lives with.

If you are truly in the market for a wonderful companion, a champion-bred German Shepherd, or simply a loving, healthy pet, please consider contacting Heidi Theis of Theishof Kennels. We guarantee you will not be disappointed.