In Loving Memory Of Cam
Cam
At 10-years-old, Cam was found wandering alone, and was picked up and taken to the shelter. Because he had no microchip, the animal shelter held Cam for the mandatory five days, and no one came or inquired about him. No one.
Finding homes for dogs like Cam can be a challenge as most families are interested in adopting a younger dog. However, Cam still had several good years left in him, and we knew someone was going to hit the jackpot when they adopted Cam as he had a lot of love yet left to give.
In the summer of 2022, Liz, a girl after our own hearts applied to adopt a senior GSP to be a companion to her 11 year old GSP mix, Clover to join her on walks, sunbathing in the backyard, and just hanging out together while Liz works from home. Liz and Clover came out to meet Cam, and this is how it went. “I really loved Cam so much! He was so gentle and such a sweetie. I’d love to give him a nice home! Can I adopt him?” We said… Absolutely!
Sadly, Liz reached out to let us know that Cam passed away. The news broke our hearts, but we know that Cam lived out his life loved and cared for. It was everything we could have wished for Cam, and we are truly grateful.
“When I first arrived at CA GSP Rescue, I was initially scheduled to meet a different dog.. And then, Cam the sweet senior dog was brought out. He was quite easy going and just laid down next to me and looked up at me with his sweet eyes and I instantly knew he was going to be a part of my family.
I have a female senior GSP mix named Clover already, and wanted her to have a companion. She isn’t easy to please when it comes to other dogs but she took to Cam quite quickly. She is older than Cam, but was more spry than he was. It became evident that Cam must’ve had a tough life when he was found as a stray. Lucky for both of us, I had a Cam-shaped hole in my heart that was filled as soon as I met him.
When I took him home, all he seemed to want and need was to be pet right on the top of his head and near his ears. He LOVED being pet near his ears and would just melt in your hand. He had some problems in the first few months with his back legs giving out but I made sure to give him walks and work up to longer walks, paying attention to what seemed to feel good for him, and it really made such a huge difference. I made up songs and encouraged him verbally every chance I got. He loved it! And I loved him with all of me.
Towards the end of Cam’s all-too-short year with me, in his final few months, he even started to run!! I hadn’t seen him run at all and it was so joyous seeing that strength he had built up. He started to play too! It was amazing. I teared up each time he would come to life and it was so beautiful to see how safe he felt after whatever life had previously tossed at him.
We lost Cam quite suddenly to a suspected brain tumor. He passed in my arms on a Sunday night just a little bit after 10pm. It was so devastating. I loved him like I had known him and had him my whole life. I take comfort in knowing his final year was spent fully loved and encouraged with pats on the head and pets by his ears.
We traveled together and he loved his walks and eventually, his runs around the front yard. Cam was truly a special dog and he was loved immensely and always will be. I keep his dog tag on my keys so he is always with me. I had a dream a few months after he passed that he was running around freely in a huge open field with another dog and I truly believe he is safe in the beyond, sprinting about. I love him and I think about him every day, and I hope anyone thinking about rescuing dogs will consider a senior dog. We changed each other’s lives for the better. Rest in peace, sweet Cameraman”.
