Hello Marie,

My prayers are with you and your wonderful dog that you both make a full recovery.  I know how worried you must be about leaving him.  That's why I have more than one dog to keep each other company.  Just talk to him and tell him you will be coming home soon and he will understand.  They know more than we realize.

Please be careful of the anti-inflammatory drugs given to your GSD.  They are very dangerous.  Rimadyl, especially, has been responsible for the death of many dogs over the years.  If you must give them, give with Famotidine to coat the dog's stomach.

A better alternative for arthritis would be MSM.  It's safe, natural and a powerful pain reliever.  Formula 303 natural relaxant is also effective.  I give my dogs the MSM crystals dissolved in water using a syringe.

Right now, I am covering you both in the precious shed blood of Jesus for protection and also in Psalm 91.  "And He shall give his angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways........".  Everything will be just fine.

God Bless!