My baby Astro.

johnesp · 06-01-2010

Hello folks I am new the forum. I would like to share a story about a dog that has changed my life. I found him at the Houston SPCA on a Saturday March 11th 2006. I took him home on the following Monday. Since then we have been joined at the hip. He helped me with alot but most of all the following summer my grandma died and she was like a mother to me. Astro helped me grieve through the process of losing her. He played around with me and made my days go by alot easier. When I walked to out of the house to go to work/school he would follow me at the door and meet me when i got home. Astro was well trained and always turned up the drama when he wanted to go for a walk or needed to do his business. He was my 80 pound lapdog and loved to watch football with me.

Astro was taken away from me last Saturday from cancer. Now since that day I walk around my house hoping if I turn around he would be there following me or he might be in the back yard waiting for me to let him in. I miss him dearly. He was by best friend these past few years and I know nothing would ever compare anytime soon.

Since it is a my 1st post I can not share anypics.

cigwyllt · 06-01-2010

I'm so sorry. There's not a lot anyone can say or do to help when we lose a much loved dog. But here you will find a lot of people who understand exactly how you feel and how much you loved your dog. Astro sounds very special.

CorkyMax · 06-01-2010

Sorry to hear of your loss. I am about to lose my golden retriever/cocker spaniel to heart failure and I know how you must feel. I haven't even lost him yet but I am already feeling the pain. You will prob. want another dog as you will miss Astro so much--When the time is right, but don't try to find another 'exact' Astro---Best for both you and the new dog not to try to be a carbon copy! A new dog will have it's own personality and you should not compare him to Astro--He will provide you with new beginnings and will endear himself to you in his own way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnesp

Hello folks I am new the the forum. I would like to share a story about a dog that has changed my life. I found him at the Houston SPCA on a Saturday March 11th 2006. I took him home on the following Monday. Since then we have been joined at the hip. He helped me with alot but most of all the following summer my grandma died and she was like a mother to me. Astro helped me grieve through the process of losing her. He played around with me and made my days go by alot easier. When I walked to out of the house to go to work/school he would follow me at the door and meet me when i got home. Astro was well trained and always turned up the drama when he wanted to go for a walk or needed to do his business. He was my 80 pound lapdog and loved to watch football with me.

Astro was taken away from me last Saturday from cancer. Now since that day I walk around my house hoping if I turn around he would be there following me or he might be in the back yard waiting for me to let him in. I miss him dearly. He was by best friend these past few years and I know nothing would ever compare anytime soon.

Since it is a my 1st post I can not share anypics.

Click on this link for help with photos:
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Todd · 06-01-2010

Welcome to the forum. Glad to gave you.

Very touching story. Aren't dogs great? I am so sorry about your loss. As Corky/Max suggested, it may help by getting another dog when the time is right. Not as a replacement, but as a way to fill your heart like your other dog did. At least a postion. Your late dog will always have a reserved spot in your heart but there are other reservations to be made. Best of luck to you.

Todd

cherylmartin · 06-01-2010

I feel your pain about losing Astro. My Jasmine was there to open the gates of The Rainbow Bridge and show him around.

My thoughts and prayers are of you and your beloved Astro today.

Hugs.

Jasmine's Rainbow Residency at RainbowsBridge.com

CorkyMax · 06-02-2010

Glad you were able to show the pic. Astro looks like he was a loving gentle dog and that you both were lucky to find one another--Those eyes tell it all!

johnesp · 06-02-2010

Thanks for all the kind words. Astro was very dear and I wanted to share my story. I think just typing the 1st post helped me in some way. And when the time comes I will get another dog and start a new chapter of memories with it. But you know nothing will ever top your 1st pet. And I do hope Jasmine is helping Astro and showing him the ropes. Thank you!

Rottie Grandma · 06-19-2010

Hi. I too am new to this forum. I found it when I was looking at the prognosis for dogs who have had their spleen removed. The answer was not good needless to say. My rottweiller - Sabre - only 8 years of age - who we have been taking for long walks suddenly started to slow right down. He was always a little bit poky when we would get to a certain spot in the walk as he loves to stop and piddle on everything in sight for perhaps closure of the walk. But all of a sudden he was exhausted and we noticed his gums were very pale. He couldn't walk any great distance and he loves his walks. He has us down to a science. I get home from work and put on sweats and my husband gets out the knapsack containing Sabre's things and he knows - we are off for our daily walk. The exhaustion when he has been walking all winter was unusual. So off to the vet. An x-ray showed there was no liver cancer which was my fear. The vet took a blood test and the results showed that his platelets were extremely low - to the point that if he were to get cut his wound might not clot on his own. We were panicked - what do we do. We booked him in for an ultrasound and it showed that he has a huge growth on his spleen. Even with surgery to remove it he will not survive longer thatn 4 to 6 months. We love this dog. He sleeps with us. He is the smartest dog I have ever known - it actually makes me expect more from other dogs because he knows us so well. He has the kindest big brown eyes when he looks at you. While I am typing this I am just crying because I cannot imagine my life without him and in actual fact he is truly my husband's dog. My husband - Fred and Sabre - are buddies - pals - when he hears him come home in his vehicle he does this keening howl. When he knows that I am coming home because I am more the gentle love person - he whines. I don't know what to do - do we have the operation and the subsequent pain and recovery that goes with it - or do we put him on prednisone - we just started him on it - and just get the next couple of months with him. I love this dog enough not to want a horrific end for him. I don't want him to be afraid when the end comes and he perhaps bleeds to death in front of us but we want as much time with him as we can. We don't want to end his life too quickly either by putting him to sleep right away. We are sooo confused and basicallly uneducated with regard to this. He is very tired - I hope the prednisone will help but am I just prolonging the inevitable. This was a very strong dog. He is 146 lbs right now and loves to eat. Ice cream being the absolute best thing in the world. I look forward to any advice with this. If you have had a similar experience and can give pointers on what to look for or examples we would love to hear from you. We have been told that we will know when the time is right but will we? We can't be selfish and have him suffer an unbearable end. We both cried for hours upon hearing the news. Our life revolves around him - however does one go on even though you have to? We are trying to comfort ourselves with the thought that at least that we had him for 8 years and that he did not become a junkyard dog as many Rottweillers have become. I am feeling absolutely nauseated at what is going to happen and it's not about me - it's about my dog. We have to do what is right and best for him whether it hurts us or not. Why couldn't he just have lived to a ripe old age and passed away in his sleep? That would have been sad but much more acceptable than this. I am going to need bereavement leave when this happens.

Todd · 06-20-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rottie Grandma

Hi. I too am new to this forum. I found it when I was looking at the prognosis for dogs who have had their spleen removed. The answer was not good needless to say. My rottweiller - Sabre - only 8 years of age - who we have been taking for long walks suddenly started to slow right down. He was always a little bit poky when we would get to a certain spot in the walk as he loves to stop and piddle on everything in sight for perhaps closure of the walk. But all of a sudden he was exhausted and we noticed his gums were very pale. He couldn't walk any great distance and he loves his walks. He has us down to a science. I get home from work and put on sweats and my husband gets out the knapsack containing Sabre's things and he knows - we are off for our daily walk. The exhaustion when he has been walking all winter was unusual. So off to the vet. An x-ray showed there was no liver cancer which was my fear. The vet took a blood test and the results showed that his platelets were extremely low - to the point that if he were to get cut his wound might not clot on his own. We were panicked - what do we do. We booked him in for an ultrasound and it showed that he has a huge growth on his spleen. Even with surgery to remove it he will not survive longer thatn 4 to 6 months. We love this dog. He sleeps with us. He is the smartest dog I have ever known - it actually makes me expect more from other dogs because he knows us so well. He has the kindest big brown eyes when he looks at you. While I am typing this I am just crying because I cannot imagine my life without him and in actual fact he is truly my husband's dog. My husband - Fred and Sabre - are buddies - pals - when he hears him come home in his vehicle he does this keening howl. When he knows that I am coming home because I am more the gentle love person - he whines. I don't know what to do - do we have the operation and the subsequent pain and recovery that goes with it - or do we put him on prednisone - we just started him on it - and just get the next couple of months with him. I love this dog enough not to want a horrific end for him. I don't want him to be afraid when the end comes and he perhaps bleeds to death in front of us but we want as much time with him as we can. We don't want to end his life too quickly either by putting him to sleep right away. We are sooo confused and basicallly uneducated with regard to this. He is very tired - I hope the prednisone will help but am I just prolonging the inevitable. This was a very strong dog. He is 146 lbs right now and loves to eat. Ice cream being the absolute best thing in the world. I look forward to any advice with this. If you have had a similar experience and can give pointers on what to look for or examples we would love to hear from you. We have been told that we will know when the time is right but will we? We can't be selfish and have him suffer an unbearable end. We both cried for hours upon hearing the news. Our life revolves around him - however does one go on even though you have to? We are trying to comfort ourselves with the thought that at least that we had him for 8 years and that he did not become a junkyard dog as many Rottweillers have become. I am feeling absolutely nauseated at what is going to happen and it's not about me - it's about my dog. We have to do what is right and best for him whether it hurts us or not. Why couldn't he just have lived to a ripe old age and passed away in his sleep? That would have been sad but much more acceptable than this. I am going to need bereavement leave when this happens.

So sorry for the loss.

Glad to have you on the forum.

silent watcher · 06-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnesp

Thanks for all the kind words. Astro was very dear and I wanted to share my story. I think just typing the 1st post helped me in some way. And when the time comes I will get another dog and start a new chapter of memories with it. But you know nothing will ever top your 1st pet. And I do hope Jasmine is helping Astro and showing him the ropes. Thank you!

even though i have not experienced losing a pet, hearing your story about astro almost made me cry. certainly, dogs are amazing!!! and it is just the nature of all life on earth, it all has an ending. corky/max just made a good advice, get another dog but dont try to make him like astro, every dog has his own way of accompanying you...

anyway, is it really true that nothing tops your first pet? me i am not sure even though it has sense.

bordercollie · 08-03-2010

Rest in peace. It's so difficult to lose a pet but i find everyone should take comfort in that you touched their lives as much as you can a pets the same way he touched yours. : ) You gave him the best life you could by taking him home from that shelter. Time will heal your wounds, but don't forget that you provided for him and gave him love.

i also agree about the getting another dog when you feel ready, but make sure not to compare the two. We got my dog not even a month after my first dog passed, and i worried i was making the wrong decision but he helped me so much, through all those months and tears i didnt have a chance to cry before. When you acknowledge they are not the same dog, they really help you overcome it all.