Randy
@valleybandit56
Active 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Hi everybody. Doing ok out here in N.E. Pa. Big storm missed us this past wkend. We just got a few inches of snow & some wind – not the blizzard conditions they had forecast. Thank God! My 2 boys are doing well: running, playing, eating & sleeping w/out a care in the world. Ahh, the life of a house dog. I hope everyone & their pets survived the storm & came out unscathed. Hopefully spring is right around the corner! Take care all. View
-
Randy posted an update 5 months, 2 weeks ago
Hi everybody. Doing ok out here in N.E. Pa. Big storm missed us this past wkend. We just got a few inches of snow & some wind – not the blizzard conditions they had forecast. Thank God! My 2 boys are doing well: running, playing, eating & sleeping w/out a care in the world. Ahh, the life of a house dog. I hope everyone & their pets survived the storm & came out unscathed. Hopefully spring is right around the corner! Take care all. -
Randy posted an update 6 months ago
G.M. everyone. Hope you & your pets are all staying warm & cozy. Sorry to those who have lost cherished pets lately. I still get sad thinking of the pets I\’ve lost over the years. Doing OK on my end. It\’s been bitter cold & snowy in N.E. Pa these past few weeks. 🥶 Spring!! Are you out there?!? My 2 boys are doing well, enjoying the snow, but only the Husky loves the cold. I\’m off today, home chilling w/my 2 boys. I got a pot of homemade soup simmering on the stove & my boys are napping as usual. Just getting ready for another work week. Be safe everyone & pray for spring. Take care. -
Randy posted an update 7 months, 1 week ago
Like I said…. Crazy cold lovin\’ Husky 20° w/wind chill of about 15° & he won\’t come inside! I\’ll have to bribe him with a treat! -
Randy posted an update 7 months, 1 week ago
Hello everyone. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to log on to say hi. I hope everyone & their furry friends had a happy, festive holiday. I’m dealing with a typical cold, snowy, icy northeast Pa winter. My Husky LOVES it, but my shepherd only deals w/it cuz he has to. Doing OK on my end & I hope everyone else is as well. If I can get some pics of my boys romping, playing & chasing thru the snow, I’ll post ’em so you all can have a good laugh. Take care & stay warm & snuggle your pets tightly folks.
-
Randy! HI 😊It’s always so good to hear from you with updates about Renzo and Rowen. Is Renzo the Husky? He looks so happy in the snow. It’s wonderful to know they are doing well. We are having a warm, dry winter thus far and it’s kind of scary so enjoy your wintry weather. I’m sending you and yours my best wishes for a fabulous New Year! I look forward to your updates and pictures of your two handsome boys. Toni
-
-
Randy posted an update 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Hello everybody. I haven\’t logged in for a while but here I am. Doing good on my end, winding down after a hot & sunny summer. Unfortunately starting to prep for winter @ work & home. My 2 pups Renzo & Rowen are doing well, they\’ve enjoyed a wonderful summer w/plenty of yard time, walks & fun in the sun. My wife & I were away for a few days so my wife\’s parents stayed @ our house to babysit our dogs. Their 11 yr old grand daughter (our niece) stayed over too. Our white Husky/shepherd mix snuggled on the bed w/her the whole time! He loves kids & is such a stinker! Sorry for the folks who have lost pets – it is a soul crushing experience but you just have to think about the time spent w/them & the loving bond you had. Other than that, I hope all is well the members of Faithful Friends community. Take care & keep on petting your furry pals!-
Hi Randy 😊It’s so nice to hear from you, especially hearing that Renzo and Rowen are doing so well👍Thank you for your kind, insightful words about remembering the joys and love we are lucky to share, even at the great cost of heartbreak. You are always welcome to share your stories and more pictures of Renzo and Rowen – I still love the one with Renzo in the park! Sending you and yours my best wishes for more fun and love. Toni
-
Hi Randy,
It’s so nice to read some good news on this site so glad to hear that you and your fur babies are enjoying life and doing well.
-
-
Randy posted an update 1 year, 5 months ago
Hi everyone. It’s been a while since I got to log on & read all the stories about the wonderful animals who have touched & enriched our lives. So sorry to all who have lost a pet – heartbreaking, I know. Just gotta find strength in the good memories & when you’re ready – save the life of another & make another best friend. Stay strong people & stay warm too. Weatherman says deep freeze coming next week for many of us. Snuggle your furry friends!
-
Randy!! It is SO GOOD to hear from you again🙌🤗Thank you for your, always, kind, encouraging thoughts. As someone who has lost so many and opened your home and heart again, you bring comfort to our community. How are Renzo and Rowan? We’d love to see some recent pictures of them now. Still adorable I suspect😎I am always delighted to hear from you, Randy, and send you and yours my very best wishes. Toni
-
-
Randy posted a new activity comment 1 year, 8 months ago
Thx Cody & Merry Christmas to you & yours as well. -
Randy posted an update 1 year, 8 months ago
Hi everyone. It\’s been quite a while since I\’ve logged on to post anything. Life & work & everything else can just get so crazy if you let it. All is well on my end: me, my lovely wife & 2 crazy dogs! Renzo & Rowan are quite happy. We have Renzo about 3.5 yrs & Rowan close to 1.5 yrs now. They\’ve both captured our hearts & give our home much laughter & good times. Rowan\’s new thing is jumping on the bed & snuggling up to my wife when I\’m not there. He\’s such a lil\’ stinker! Renzo continues to be the older, mature, well behaved big brother dog. I hope all the other members & their faithful fur friends are doing good. I\’ll enclose a few pics, just for laughs! Merry Christmas to all & God Bless.-
Merry Christmas, Randy! Renzo and Rowan look so happy! -
Thx Cody & Merry Christmas to you & yours as well.
-
Randy! It’s so nice to hear from you, and thank you for your update about Renzo and Rowan🤗Oh my goodness, what gorgeous boys they are! It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since you said goodbye to Ranger and Axel💔and I just know that they are delighted for the joy and love you are sharing with R & R🙌I am also very sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Ouch. That hurts. I don’t know which is worse – seeing our loved ones decline and suffer, or have an unexpected passing. I’ve been through both and can only say that both are losses, and that we can work to find comfort from the happy memories we shared. I am truly sorry💔Holidays bring forth strong emotions and I hope you, your wife and family find, and make loving, happy new memories this season, and always💕We would love to meet you all and I invite you to join our group meeting on Thursday December 19th at 7PM Eastern. You can stay as long as you like, share as much or little as is comfortable, but I would certainly like to see Renzo and Rowan 🤗Sending you all my sincere Best Wishes for a wonderful holiday and a fabulous New Year. Toni
(Links to meetings are under “Events” on the right side of this page)
-
-
Randy posted an update 2 years, 5 months ago
Hello everyone. I know it\’s been quite a while since I visited so I wanted to say hi. I read several of the stories from numerous pet parents about the happy, fun times & also the sad, sorrowful endings of all the furry companions. As an animal lover & a BIG softie, my heart goes out to all of you & your personal hardships. It\’s been 2 1/2 yrs since my wife & I lost our 2 shepherds just 8 days apart. We\’ve been so lucky to be blessed w/our new (July 31, 2021) shepherd Renzo & on July 7, 2023 we adopted another dog \”Rowan\”. He was supposed to be a pure white G.S.D. but we think he\’s 1/2 (or maybe more!) Husky cuz he doesn\’t listen, runs like an Olympic track star, is VERY vocal & howls like a wolf! He\’s so damn cute & friendly & adores everybody so we love him no matter what he is. Our boys keep us pretty busy along w/work too. I\’m just getting back into a regular routine after the sudden passing of my dad last month so life\’s been tough & challenging the past few weeks. Aside from that, same old same old here. I hope this message finds everyone well. Take care all, stay strong & talk soon.-
Welcome back, Randy🤗We always like to hear from you, but this time I am very sorry for the loss of your father💔I hope your good memories help you through your grief. You are welcome to share more about that with us if you like.
I know you will never forget Ranger and Axel, and I hope you are finding great joy when thinking of the lives you shared together. And how fabulous that Renzo and Rowan are best buddies!! My two kittens are crazy about each other and I am waiting for their DNA results to tell us what they are. Maybe you could do that for Rowan. But really, who cares – they are our loves and we are fortunate to have them in our lives, right? Those ears! Faces! What sweethearts. One of my all time favorite photos is of Renzo in the park that you posted some time ago. Feel welcome to repost it if you like.
Randy, when you read a post that moves you, please share your sympathy – it means so much to know others care and undertsand. And please always be in touch. With my condolences, Toni
-
-
Randy posted a new activity comment 2 years, 10 months ago
G.A. Back to Rowan (Ro-Ro, Lil’ Snowman, Husqvarnass or Bolt as we’ve nicknamed him) – he’s supposedly 2-3 yrs old but is so crazy & has so much puppy in him we think he’s more like 1-1.5 yrs old. He can run like a deer (hence the nickname Bolt after the cartoon dog) & absolutely will not return & is completely uncatchable if he escapes! Other than that, he is a little cutie & has some very funny mannerisms. He is a work in progress – more updates to come! -
Randy posted an update 2 years, 10 months ago
Hi everybody. Sorry I haven\’t been on for a while, life just gets so crazy. Well after some thinking & searching, we adopted a 2nd dog so our boy Renzo would have a buddy. \”Rowan\” is a pure white G.S.D. (supposedly) but we\’ve discovered he definitely has some (possibly 1/2 or better) Husky in him. He\’s stubborn, headstrong & sometimes just a total jerk if he\’s not feeling like listening or caring! We\’ve had him for 3 months now & he\’s put on some weight & adjusted well. He & Renzo are buddies & get along fairly well. Rowan still needs work but he is friendly, loving & cute as all hell! He loves my wife – he is HER buddy & waits for her to come home from work. I\’ll try to give more frequent updates but here\’s some pics of the lil\’ devil along w/Renzo. Hope everyone & their furry friends are doing well. Talk soon, good night.-
Randy, we’ve missed Renzo (and you, of course), and I couldn’t be more delighted to hear your wonderful updates, really look forward to more :-). They are adorable and in time will become Best Buds (after your wife). About how old is Rowan? Renzo is still a very handsome boy 🤗Randy, it is so good to hear fun news and please be in touch. {{HUGS}} Toni
-
G.A. Back to Rowan (Ro-Ro, Lil’ Snowman, Husqvarnass or Bolt as we’ve nicknamed him) – he’s supposedly 2-3 yrs old but is so crazy & has so much puppy in him we think he’s more like 1-1.5 yrs old. He can run like a deer (hence the nickname Bolt after the cartoon dog) & absolutely will not return & is completely uncatchable if he escapes! Other than that, he is a little cutie & has some very funny mannerisms. He is a work in progress – more updates to come!
-
-
Randy posted an update 3 years, 1 month ago
Hi everyone. Sorry I haven’t posted in so long. Life is a whirlwind ride sometimes & doesn’t always slow down. It’s coming up on 2 yrs since we lost our 2 German Shepherds in an 8 day span. Also nearly 2 yrs since we adopted another male G.S.D. named Renzo. Truly, time waits for no one. Blink & it’s gone. All is well w/Renzo but I still find myself lost & disheartened when I recall that fateful time in July 2021 when we lost our 2 boys. I smile & remember good, fun times when looking @ their pics while also feeling an empty sadness due to their sudden loss. Renzo has been wonderful as a dog & companion though, so we are thankful for that. We’ve actually considered adopting another G.S.D. (hopefully a white one) since we are so enamored w/the breed. We’ll have to see what the future brings. Any how, hope all the pet lovers & members here are enjoying good times w/your fury friends. Take care all & have a great summer.
-
Randy, It is good to hear from you no matter what amount of time passes. I think of you and Remzo and hope you’ll send some more pictures of him. We’d love to see him now. You say it perfectly – the empty sadness. It’s not the acute pain of parting, but a lingering ache that comes when we think of their end of life. It sounds as if you are also able to recall the happy and fun times with Ranger and Axel, and that’s a good way to honor them. You and/or your wife are always welcome to join our monthly group meeting the third Thursday of each month. The links are under “Events”. I look forward to hearing more from you, especially if you open your home and hearts to anothet lucky pup! Sending you my best wishes, and hoping to see more of Renzo. Toni
-
-
Randy posted a new activity comment 3 years, 7 months ago
Hello all. Thx for the sweet comments about my boy Renzo. He IS living the life! A lady I worked with made the comment: “That dog hit the f*#@+n’ lottery when he came to your house!” Still makes me laugh to this day. Yes, he is spoiled & handsome (and he knows it!). Merry Christmas to everybody & your furry pals! -
Randy posted an update 3 years, 8 months ago
Hi everyone. It\’s been a while since I logged on & posted anything. Life is just so darn busy @ times! Doing well on my end. Still enjoying our rescue shepherd \”Renzo\”. Nov 30th was 16 months that we have him (yay!), but also 16+ months since we lost our other 2 shepherds only 8 days apart ( very sad face). But we are going about our lives just trying to have fun, learn & be better. I hope everyone else in this community is doing good as well. Less than 2 weeks til Christmas. Wishing good holiday fortune, health & happiness to all. A pic\’ of some bad dog on my bed!-
Randy! Hello 🙂 It’s so good to hear from you and see your GOOD BOY Renzo taking care of things (and you). Anniversaries and holidays stir memories of our beloveds and that’s as it should be. We hurt a bit but feel happy and grateful for the lives and loves we shared. Right? We wouldn’t trade that for anything. Renzo is so lucky you opened your home and heart to him, and aren’t YOU the lucky duck to have him warming your bed for you. Thanks for the update and picture. We love to see and hear from everyone. And thank you for the kind wishes. it means a lot. {HUGS} for you and Renzo. Toni
-
Renzo looks like he’s living the high life such a handsome boy.
-
Hello all. Thx for the sweet comments about my boy Renzo. He IS living the life! A lady I worked with made the comment: “That dog hit the f*#@+n’ lottery when he came to your house!” Still makes me laugh to this day. Yes, he is spoiled & handsome (and he knows it!). Merry Christmas to everybody & your furry pals!
-
Yep – you probably have a list of people who want to come back as your pet …. I do :-). Will we see you at tonight’s Group Meeting/ We’d love to meet you both. Toni
-
-
Randy posted an update 3 years, 11 months ago
Hello everyone. Sorry I\’ve been outta touch for a while. I\’ve been busy w/work, yard work, vacation, car troubles & I tested positive for stupid COVID the other day! When it rains it pours! Anyway, work is good, working on the car & recovering well from COVID so no complaints here. Doing well w/our G.S.D. Renzo. Had him @ the vet the other day for a lame l.f. paw – turned out he had a thorn/splinter in his paw pad! The poor guy! Our vet removed, ordered a topical spray & after paying we both pranced out the door! Another satisfied customer! I still think about the (2) G.S.D\’s we lost in July \’21. It still hurts a lot at times as I\’m sure all pet owners know. So w/another summer just about in the books I\’m reluctantly facing the fact winter is coming. I wish everyone & their furry friends warmth & friendship.-
Randy, it’s wonderful to hear from you and get your update. We all remember when you first met Renzo and I have wondered how you two are doing. A splinter may be small but can cause big trouble if it becomes infected, and just imagine having to walk on it! I’m so glad he is doing well. Yes, the memories can bring great joy, but also grief. It happened to me the other night – I was just thinking about my girl and all of a sudden pain and tears came on. There is no timeline for feelings, and gratefully the happy ones come more often that not.
He is such a handsome fellow and I hope you will share more photos and stories with us, especially as the seasons change. Sending you my best wishes. Toni
-
-
Randy posted a new activity comment 4 years, 4 months ago
Oh my God, they are so cute! I would take them all home w/me & snuggle them! -
Randy posted a new activity comment 4 years, 4 months ago
Hi Tay. Sorry it took a while to get back to you. Renzo has done a pretty good job of destroying his new toy. He tore the rounded ends off it already & is proceeding to nibble it down one bite at a time. I had high hopes for it, but no such luck. I would not recommend it for a serious, strong chewer. -
Randy posted an update 4 years, 4 months ago
Very happy with his new Kong chew toy/braided rope. I think he\’ll have it destroyed in a week or two!-
Atta Boy! He’s doing a fine job being an energetic doggy 🙂
-
Please update us with how sturdy it is! I have the same issue with Xena’s toys. She’s a lab mix and is SO strong. Fastest I think Xena has chewed through something is 3 minutes 😄 -
Hi Tay. Sorry it took a while to get back to you. Renzo has done a pretty good job of destroying his new toy. He tore the rounded ends off it already & is proceeding to nibble it down one bite at a time. I had high hopes for it, but no such luck. I would not recommend it for a serious, strong chewer.
-
😄 Aww man. Well maybe next time.
-
You called this one, Randy – Renzo is a big, strong boy. He could probably chew through a truck tire :-). Love hearing about him, and your fun together.
-
-
Randy posted a new activity comment 4 years, 4 months ago
Hi Toni. We’re both doing OK here. Been a busy winter with a lot of work hours put in but now just waiting for spring. Eager to get outside more with our dog Renzo who absolutely loves running & playing outside! I can tell he’s also getting a lil’ “cabin fever” from a long winter but we’re planning lots of outdoor adventures & car rides too. Everyday i still think of the 2 shepherds we lost last summer. They’re both buried in our yard under a nice apple tree along (2) other dogs who passed years ago. It still hurts so much because of the sudden way it unfolded. Brighter days ahead… -
Randy posted a new activity comment 4 years, 4 months ago
Hi Ann. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dog Cracker. Was he a pure white German Shepherd? My wife & I lost 2 German shepherds last summer: A 10 yr old black & silver male named Ranger to cancer & our 11 yr old white one named Axel died a week later suddenly. We think he died of a broken heart after losing his buddy. We were so heart broken & know how you feel. Sympathies for your loss. - Load More
As our global weather becomes more extreme, we need to be ever more vigilant caring for our babies.
Your two handsome boys are so lucky to have YOU!!
Stay in touch Randy – it’s always a pleasure to hear from you and see those magnificent pups💕🐶🐶