Jean and I rescued this seven month old German Shepherd puppy from the Animal Shelter in Camarillo, California. A friend of Jean’s rescued German Shepherd’s where ever she could find them. We had lost two shepherds within the same month two years earlier. We were down to one Border Collie, ELO. We just never felt we could go through loosing more dogs. After one visit to the shelter we felt he was too big. We were reluctant to get a male as we preferred females. Three days later Jean”s friend called again to ask us to take him temporarily. She would locate a home ASAP. So I went out again as Jean was gone for the evening. I took him out of the pen and interacted with him. What a wonderful, gentle , giant. He was very big for seven months. He looked full grown. I bought him and got to take him home two days later. We finally named him LUKE as he was independent and head strong. Jean felt a short strong name like LUKE would get his attention. Our eight year old Border Collie accepted him immediately after she attacked him to establish the pack leader. LUKE was terrified of other dogs. When out on walks he would jump behind me when stray dogs attacked us. But ELO loved to fight and she would tear into a dog in a heart beat. LUKE watched this about three times. A month after we got him a big HUSKY attack us from behind before LUKE could see him. So it was sink or swim. LUKE tore into the dog and within a few moments has the dog on the ground. He got away and ran. LUKE stood there looking bewildered. But, it was a turning point in his life. He never again ran from any dog. In fact, he had to be closely watched as he would attack four or more dogs at a time if off his leash.
In the nine and half years we had him, he became a gentle dog who was a pleasure to have in our home. He soon located the bedroom and the bed to sleep on. He slept in the recliner in the front room. He was a constant companion for ELO who after two years alone was glad to have LUKE. The three of us spent hours in the Sierria Mountains around Yosemite Park and Bass Lake around Oakhurst. In July of 2007 Jean and I retired to Ft. Collins to be near our daughter who lives in Laramie, Wyoming. In the four years here I had a total left knee replacement and a right hip revision. Each time during my recovery at home he never left the bedroom. He would sleep on his bed beside me. As we both began to have hip and knee problems our five mile daily walks became three mile walks, then two and finally down the road from our house to the mail box. The last five months of his life from May to September 2011 he lived with cancer throughout his body. He put up a good fight against it which was his nature not to give in. Finally he was unable to get up off the floor. It was time to call Kathy Cooney and have her assist us once again to send a beloved companion back home. He was laid down in the back yard he loved so much and peacefully an quicky left us. It was the worst day of our lives.
LUKE WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR DAY OF REUNION WITH YOU ONCE AGAIN. YOU ARE ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS.
Jean and Garth Korfanta Ft. Collins