Our first IWH lived to 7 1/2 — He wasn’t a good specimen, cow-hocked, and had hip trouble his whole life. His hips finally gave out and we had to euthanize.

Our second IWH died at age 2 due to a veterinary anesthetic accident administered during an xray.
He was from a good kennel and probably would have lived as long as his half brother.

Our third lived 10 years 11 months, longer than our two male German shepherds. The kennel who bred him no longer is in existence. (It was many years ago). He had to be euthanized because of his hips.

Our chow lived to 11. She was from a puppy mill. Hips.

Our first female GSD lived 12 years 1 month. She got degenerative myelopathy.

Our male German shepherd lived 10 years 9 months. He got lymphoma when he was 10 years 4 months.

Our second male German shepherd just died April 29, 2012, at age 9 years 9 months (we think). He was a rescue shepherd estimated to be 9 months old when we got him. He suffered from a ruptured spleen on 2/21/12 due to hemangiosarcoma. We operated and he had a good post op course, but died 2 months 8 days later.

All the dogs had the best food and vet care available. One shepherd had chemotherapy (lymphona),. We did not do chemo for the second shepherd because we decided the quality of life was more important than the few months chemo would give him.

I am writing this with a broken heart.