A heartfelt tribute to Spice, a loyal German Shepherd who guarded her family's hearts for over a decade.
By Andrew C. Gunn
Last Saturday was one of the saddest days in our family’s life. We made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to our loyal, much-loved German Shepherd, Spice.
To say that Spice brought joy, comfort, and reliability into our lives would be an understatement. We welcomed her into our family when she was ten months old. Over the years, she became far more than a pet. She witnessed our children grow from kids into young adults. She was there through school years, family celebrations, COVID lockdowns, cyclones, and all the highs and lows that life inevitably brings.
For more than a decade, Spice was the guardian of our household. She never took a day off from protecting her family and her territory. We always knew when another dog walked past our front fence or when somebody entered the front gate. She was vigilant, devoted, and utterly committed to her role. Like many German Shepherds, she could be indifferent to strangers, but to her pack she was endlessly loyal and loving.
Spice was also incredibly gentle with children. She seemed to understand that they required special care and patience. Whether it was our own children or visiting friends, she tolerated endless pats, hugs, and attention with remarkable grace.
Every morning and every afternoon, she was there. She greeted us as we left for school and work, and she greeted us again when we returned home. No matter what kind of day we had experienced, there was always a wagging tail waiting at the door.
She also kept me accountable. Our morning walks became part of our routine. If I was tired, busy, or lacking motivation, Spice was always ready. She never missed a walk and never looked for excuses. Only in the past few weeks, as age finally caught up with her, did she begin to slow down.
I already miss the simple things. I miss seeing her stretched out on her bed on the deck. I miss catching glimpses of her wandering through the backyard. I miss hearing her move around the house and simply knowing she was there.
The truth is that pets teach us far more than we often realise. Spice taught me patience. She taught me the value of routine. She reminded me never to say no to a walk, to enjoy sleeping under a tree, and to always be ready for an adventure.
Anyone who has ever owned a pet understands that, from the day they arrive, there is an unspoken awareness that one day they will leave us. We know that moment is coming, but knowing does not make it any easier. Even as I write these words, tears well in my eyes.
One of my favourite memories of Spice came in 2020 when we brought home a kitten for our daughter. By then, Spice had been part of our family for seven years. I naturally assumed there would be tension between the two. I was completely wrong.
From the beginning, Spice accepted the kitten as if it belonged. Not once did she lose her patience or show aggression. Instead, she was gentle, tolerant, and protective. The relationship became another example of the enormous capacity for love that she carried within her.
My mother-in-law once made an observation that has stayed with me. She said Spice’s eyes were full of unconditional love whenever she looked at my wife, our children, and me. Yet she remained slightly aloof around everyone else.
That was Spice. And perhaps that is also the essence of a German Shepherd. They do not give their hearts easily, but when they do, they give them completely.
On Sunday afternoons, I often sit beneath our poinciana tree. It is my place to read, write, reflect, and occasionally drift off for a nap on the grass. And who was almost always beside me? Spice. Quietly. Faithfully. Expecting nothing. Just happy to be near her family.
The final morning was both heartbreaking and beautiful. We took Spice to the vet knowing what was coming. The room was heavy with sadness, and there were tears from all of us.
After the vet administered the sedative, something remarkable happened. Despite being tired and fading, Spice continued making the happy whining sounds she always made when she sensed we were upset. Even in her final moments, it felt as though she was trying to comfort us. Trying to tell us that everything would be okay.
Then she gently lay down. Surrounded by the people she loved most. And peacefully went to sleep.
The house feels quieter now. The backyard feels emptier. The morning walks are different. But what remains are the memories, the lessons, and the love she gave us so freely for so many years.
Spice may no longer be lying on the deck or waiting by the front gate, but she will always be part of our family story.
Some dogs are pets.
Others become family.
Spice was family.
