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by Preston on 03 April 2009 - 00:04
Thank you all for the kind words and sympathy. Everytime in the past we have lost a good GSD we feel for a short time like we can't take the pain of acquiring a new one that we will eventually lose. And then after the grief heals we start looking for that next special GSD. Blitz was by far the best GSD I ever had in over 40 years. Acquired at a young two years old and immediately retired to be a 24/7 in home protector and beloved pet. As my wife stated many times he was rock solid in public (a good citizen) but had extreme prey drive and and extreme fight instinct for territorial dominance and patrolled our home at night with a vengeance. He would never back down from a fight when challenged in any way, he was truly an alpha male. When courage tested at 4 years old (after two years with no practice, he did an excellent job--which was a big surprise to the owner of the Sch training program). He always carried a rubber "bong" or a nylabone in his mouth and consumed many nylabones each year. 
He was 10.3 years old when he died this last Tuesday night and looked no older than he did at 5-6 years old. His hips and elbows were good and he never limped during his life. He was a healthy problem free dog until his last three days when he seemed to have only a little less energy. He ate up through Monday night and then tuesday night he wouldn't accept his food. I checked him and noticed that during the next ten minutes his gums started rapidly turned pale and his stomach seemed a bit droopy, but it did not seem like bloat/torsion. So I rushed him to the vet to have every test done. The xrays, bloodwork and palpation led my vet to feel certain he had a tumor on his spleen that ruptured into his blood supply, thus the bleeding into his abdomen. He was fading fast so I made the decision to put him to sleep right then. I had a post mortem done which showed the vet was correct--a very aggressive fast growing type of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen which had spread to the liver too.
Most GSDs I have had in the past lived on average about 8 years old. I told my wife several times the last couple years that his living past eight was a real blessing to be appreciated each day. As you all know the relationship with such a good dog who sleeps on the end of your bed each night and who is loyal and true, filled with love and devotion sets one up for deep grief when he is taken back to God who made him. We are heartbroken and the sting of death bites hard. The speed of his demise really added to the shock. But we are thankful for every day that we had the priviledge of owning him. I have enclosed his last picture that I could find from late 2007.
He was 10.3 years old when he died this last Tuesday night and looked no older than he did at 5-6 years old. His hips and elbows were good and he never limped during his life. He was a healthy problem free dog until his last three days when he seemed to have only a little less energy. He ate up through Monday night and then tuesday night he wouldn't accept his food. I checked him and noticed that during the next ten minutes his gums started rapidly turned pale and his stomach seemed a bit droopy, but it did not seem like bloat/torsion. So I rushed him to the vet to have every test done. The xrays, bloodwork and palpation led my vet to feel certain he had a tumor on his spleen that ruptured into his blood supply, thus the bleeding into his abdomen. He was fading fast so I made the decision to put him to sleep right then. I had a post mortem done which showed the vet was correct--a very aggressive fast growing type of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen which had spread to the liver too.
Most GSDs I have had in the past lived on average about 8 years old. I told my wife several times the last couple years that his living past eight was a real blessing to be appreciated each day. As you all know the relationship with such a good dog who sleeps on the end of your bed each night and who is loyal and true, filled with love and devotion sets one up for deep grief when he is taken back to God who made him. We are heartbroken and the sting of death bites hard. The speed of his demise really added to the shock. But we are thankful for every day that we had the priviledge of owning him. I have enclosed his last picture that I could find from late 2007.
by hodie on 03 April 2009 - 00:04
Preston,
Email me. I have a dog that I would give to you when you are ready.
Email me. I have a dog that I would give to you when you are ready.
by angusmom on 03 April 2009 - 00:04
my sincere sympathies on the loss of blitz.
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