Letter To Gero

To my friend Konsha's Gero-G –Man,

C.G.C., T.D.I., C.D., A.S.C.A. C.D., U.S.A.R., W.S.A.K., D.S.A.R., C.S.A.R., S.D.S.A.R

The day you were born I knew I couldn't keep you.   The rich, black and mahogany colors you bore were beautiful beyond my imagination. Your ears, tail and paws were perfection to my eyes, but I knew I couldn’t keep you.

At seven weeks I knew you would leave, you were the only boy, and the promise had been made long ago.  I watched, as my heart hurt, you go to your new home.  It was the way it had to be.  I had hoped that I would get to see you from time to time.  Because you weren’t mine to keep.

Five months and four homes later you came back to me.  I am sorry for what they did to you.  They just never understood you.  They had no idea just what was inside of you.  They never gave you a chance.  Now you were mine to keep.

As the years have passed, we have grown so much as one.  The courage and strength you have shown has given me the ability to soar with you to heights I never knew existed.  When I loved myself the least, you loved me the most.  When I was in doubt, you were the Pathfinder that led the way out of the dark.  You have been my light, my heart.  You are a part of me and part of my soul.

I never anticipated that you would touch so many lives.  You are ever the ambassador for German Shepherd SAR dogs.  Always on watch for human that needed cheering, or a person that is lost.  You have never failed to rise to the cause.  I have never had a better, constant, or more reliable friend.

It has been my privilege to witness the experience most of your life, from seeing a fireman wrap his arms around you neck and weep, to a small child taking  your face in her hands and kissing you on your nose, and the funny side of you.  Like at the school programs, when we would line the children up to meet you.  Each child had a biscuit for you.  Watching you take each treat with such care, until a child did not give a treat.  I love the way you calmly poke your nose where the treat is being hidden.  Always a gentleman.

Your mind and heart it has been my honor to know and be a part of.  From the time I laid eyes on you I wanted to keep you.

Now the days are getting shorter, and the time is passing fast.

You have given me a son to continue exploring the heights with.  A new friend to learn new things with for you can never be replaced.

Now I’ll always keep you in my heart and mind for you have become a part of me.

Thank you for being my friend, teacher, my Pathfinder.

Love,

Mama