Jessie was my first dog and you couldn’t have wished for a more loyal companion or good friend - or beautiful GSD.  She was a typical working German Shepherd who loved to learn and was very active.  After basic puppy training classes we joined a local German Shepherd Club.

I should point out that at this time I was intensely shy.  When I joined the German Shepherd Club I sat in the car for over an hour waiting for someone to come out as I was too scared to go in on my own.  The fact that I was there at all is totally attributed to Jessie and my yearning to do the right thing for her.  I soon got addicted to working her and became an instructor and subsequently served on the committee for many years.

Jessie was an absolute star and a wonderful dog to own.  We competed in both obedience and agility competitions together and she won many trophies and rosettes at these.  We also helped out and performed at club demonstrations at local fetes and shows.  Jessie had a couple of special party tricks she performed at these shows which were fetching a raw egg without breaking it and fetching a sausage without eating it – although needless to say that she got them both as soon as she had given them to me whole!! 

All this activity - getting involved in training Jessie to a level where we could compete, driving myself to shows and events, getting involved in organising events and being on the committee naturally improved my confidence immensely and I owe it all to Jessie, that dog made me the person I am today and I never forget that.

I lost her at the very early age of just 8 years old to mammary cancer.  To say losing her broke my heart is an understatement and if I had not had Nico by then and Silver to keep me going,  I hate to think what I might have done.  We had a very special bond, she was there for me always and I still miss her dearly. 

I had a really bad camera way back when Jessie was a puppy! Here she is at 9 weeks