Dee’s husband Richard always wanted a white shepherd. We all know that our days are numbered on this earth, but Dee’s husband had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. With Dee’s persistence, her husband’s dream would soon be realized, and the family would grow to include 2 very special dogs. 

Dee visited the Petfinder.com website, which is where we “met” in cyberspace. Dee searched the database for a white shepherd and posted a Pet Wanted listing. She found a white shepherd named Lady, but the adoption didn’t work out. 

Dee continued her search on Petfinder, and soon wrote to me “I have located a white Shepherd (Sheridan) at the Jersey Shore Animal Center in Brick, and it is available, along with another white Shepherd called Valentine, too! I spoke with the manager of that shelter today, filled out the application and faxed it to them early this afternoon. Tomorrow I will be going up there to see both dogs, and if it works out, I will adopt them both!!!!” She also wrote “I don’t know if you’ve seen the picture of Sheridan online, but she sure looks gracious not to mention beautiful.”

Dee was very excited about these dogs, and her husband’s spirit was also lifted by the prospect of the impending adoption! “The picture of Sheridan is now up on the wall in my husband’s hospital room and he is all smiles once again.” “I wish you could have seen how his face lit up when I told him the good news!!!! It’s all he can talk about now and it’s brightened his day so much!”

Two days later, Dee wrote “Well, I’ve got both of these beautiful animals sitting right here by my side. There was no way I could leave one of them behind, so I adopted both of them! And that was not a difficult choice to make either … I can’t wait to see the look on my husband’s face when he gets to meet these two gorgeous girls…….and that may be as early as today depending on what the doctors have to say.” 

Dee’s husband’s dream was fulfilled. He was the proud daddy of not one, but two white german shepherds.  Richard had very little time with the dogs.   Dee later wrote, “There was barely a week of time when he was actually able to appreciate these two beautiful animals, although he knew they were both here and they watched over him.  I believe that he was just so grateful that his dream of owning a white Shepherd had come true was [the] reason for some of his smiles, the other reason was knowing that I would have protection and companionship after he was gone.”

Today, Sheridan and Valentine love and protect Dee as her husband would if he was here today.  Dee wrote, “At night, she [Valentine] keeps me aware of the raccoons or possums that come up on the back porch and she is sleeping next to me …  there is no way anything or anybody could come near this house without me being informed about it way ahead of time.  It’s a great consolation when you live by yourself in a wooded area.  I’m not afraid …”  

Sheridan and Valentine are no longer unwanted throwaways. They are now forever beloved family dogs, and symbols of great love and devotion. Dee writes, “I am extremely thankful for these two beautiful dogs, Sheridan and Valentine as they have been my strength and protection.” Those we save, save us.