Farewell to Nasha.

[trof]

Nasha died in her sleep sometime last night. She was thirteen and becoming more and more infirm with each passing day. Of the five faithful German Shepherds who have shared our lives over the past thirty or so years, she is the only one to live out a normal lifespan and just succumb to age and natural causes.
It doesn't make it much easier, but it is what we had hoped for.

We adopted her when she was about a year and a half old, just a few days after we lost Gypsy to incurable, inoperable cancer. We weren't actually quite ready for another dog so soon, but found out about her the same day we had Gypsy put down. Nasha belonged to a military family who were being transferred to a post where they couldn't keep a dog. So...there was a dog who needed a home, and here was a home that needed a dog. What the hell are you gonna do?
We never told her she was adopted.

She loved to chase squirrels in her younger days. Never caught one.
I don't think she would have known what to do with it if she did.

She was the most affectionate dog I've ever seen. She eagerly greeted everyone who crossed our threshold and seemed to think they had come just to see her. As a watchdog and protector, she kind of coasted along on the reputations of the German Shepherds who had preceded her. She wouldn't hurt a fly.

She really showed her ancestral talent with a yard full of toddlers. Constantly moving around the group, always gently herding the strays and runaways back into the fold. It was a pure pleasure to watch her work.

Ace-the-cat was her devoted admirer. Unhappily, she was usually fairly aloof to him. Sadly, she was ambivalent about this black furball who thought she hung the moon. In the last year or so, however, age and arthritis took a toll. It was just too much bother to get up and walk away from him, and he was at last able to curl up next to her. He was in heaven.

So long, old girl.
Rest in peace.

[Maestro]

1. Sorry to hear.

We raise Belgian Malinois, a distant cousin of the Shepherd, and we put one down at age 13 as well. It is hard and time will heal. Remember teh good times and understand that she is at peace now.

[Old and In the Way]

2. I know what you mean.

My 14 year-old passed away in June. So sad....they are like one of the family. Anyway, we now have an 8 week old Golden Lab pup that is keeping everyone on their toes. Here we go again....

[murielm99]

3. I am so sorry.

I have a thirteen year old lab.

They become members of the family, don't they?

Your dog had a good life.

[IdaBriggs]

4. Deepest Sympathies...

Thinking of you in your time of sorrow, and wishing you good memories. My husband grew up with German Shepherds, and we currently have three and a half "mixed" girls of our own -- two flat coated retriever mixes (who's mom was a German Shepherd!), and one German Shepherd/Rottweiller/Chow girl. We are also fostering an Australian Shepherd who is looking for a good home; she was very badly abused, so she is extremely shy....anyway, we lost Sky (my cat) last year at age 18, and I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to her son Storm (now 18). My heart goes out to you...

:hug:

Ida

[Flaxbee]

5. Oh trof, I'm so sorry..

I have read many of your posts about your German Shepherd companions over the years, including the ones about Nasha and her slow decline. They all sounded like wonderful friends, and I'm glad Nasha's death was quiet and peaceful.

I hope this isn't gauche, but are you going to get another GS someday? You seem to really love the breed... when I was young, we had a GS/Husky mix and she was terrific: so damn smart, watchful and loving.

[trof]

6. Not gauche, but no.

Since I retired a few years ago, caring for Nasha has kept us on a fairly short leash. She never did well at our vet's boarding kennel, in spite of the loving care they gave her. She'd grieve and not eat.

During the few trips we've taken in the last couple of years, friends in the neighborhood have kindly come in to care for her so she wouldn't suffer the trauma of unfamiliar surroundings.

Although Ace is diabetic, and I have to give him insulin shots morning and evening, he's a good traveller and we can take him most places with us. He's also nuts about our vet and his staff (and they him), so we don't feel badly if we have to park him there for a while.
Thanks for your concern.

[Flaxbee]

10. I know what you mean...

we have several cats that can be boarded pretty easily, but one is semi-feral and I have to have someone come in to care for her when we're gone. I love my kitties, but it's not easy to travel when you've got special needs animals requiring extra care at home. Our old GS/Husky girl "Pippin", hated to be boarded. It was the only facility w/in 90 miles and not nearly as plush as they seem to be now -- she had the indoor/ourdoor run but it was all concrete and Pippin absolutely refused to poop on concrete. Poor dog always came home so constipated!


Anyway, though. I'm sorry for your loss. You seem to have been prepared for it, though it never makes it any easier.

[trof]

11. Our Gypsy much like your Pippin.

Except that she WOULD NOT poop or pee outside of her yard for the longest time. Took us a while to convince her it was OK to go in unfamiliar places.

[nuxvomica]

7. Sorry to hear, trof

It sounds to me like Ace-the-Cat's going to have a rough time of it. Maybe you should show him a little extra attention if you aren't already doing so.
Peace to you and yours.

[trof]

9. Ace knows.

I don't know how he knows, but he knows.
He always comes in the bedroom as soon as my feet touch the floor, but not this morning.
Eerie.

[oneighty]

8. Poor Nasha

Poor Mr. and Mrs. Trof.

180

[trof]

12. Thanks, Ed.

We were pretty much expecting it any day. She'd gone downhill quite a bit in the last week or so. To the point that last night we talked about "was it time?". Bless her heart, she saved us from that awful chore. Four times is plenty for me.

[MrsMatt]

13. I'm very sorry to hear it

13 years is a long time for a GSD, so she was obviously well loved and cared for. She'll be watching over you from over the rainbow bridge.

The GSD I was god-bitch to was just put down two weeks ago. Kaiser was 12 (he would have been 13 December 24), but had had pretty severe arthritis and it was painful to see him move. His spirit was willing, but his body was weak.

[curse10]

14. I'm so sorry for your loss, trof

:-(

She sounds like a great dog, and I know she had a great owner :hug:

[flamingyouth]

15. So sorry to hear this

My thoughts are with you and Mrs. trof, as well as Ace-the-cat, who will mourn in his own way. Lost two of my furbabies this year and miss them both greatly. :loveya:

[Rowdyboy]

16. Lucky Nasha, to have been so loved....

We lost our collie-shepherd about9 years ago. Arthritis and a massive stroke left her unable to rise. I cried more for her than I have for some family members.

Today, I have Champ, a 5 year old springer. He's half dog and half teddy bear, all sweetheart.

I send you and Mrs Trof my heartfelt sympathy. The unconditional love that dogs give us is tough to lose.

[Bat Boy]

17. I'm so sorry.

But how fortunate to have those memories.

[Coventina]

18. Love and sympathy

I've been there.

:hug:

[trof]

19. Many thanks for kind comments and condolences.

Miz t. has been reading over my shoulder and she is touched by the love and comradeship here.
Thank you all.

[Liberal Veteran]

20. I am so sorry.

My thoughts are with you.

Loosing a friend is always difficult.

[DancingBear]

21. Our condolences, trof

We've lost two in the last year - one to age, one to a disese called megaspohogus. Thankfully, we've rescued two others who have brought the joy back that we thought would be absent for so long.

Nasha will stay in your hearts forever, as all dogs do. Soon the pain goes, and the memories take its place. When that day comes the circle is once again whole, and she will have completed her task.

Be well, and if the heart once again needs some company you'll know what to do.

Peace.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

22. My sympathies and condolences are extended to you and your family

I know how sad it is to lose a pet.

[Bunny]

23. Aw trof, I'm so sorry.

You and Mrs. trof are so good to your dogs. Take care.

[GOPisEvil]

24. My condolences to the trof family on Nasha's loss.

[jukes]

25. i have no words

for your loss.

:cry:

[trof]

26. Is that your cat? Spitting image of Ace.

Thanks.

[Mikimouse]

27. Sorry trof...

The loss of a dear friend always leaves us feeling somewhat empty. I share your grief, and hope that the good memories will sustain you. Godspeed Nasha!

[SoCalDem]

28. Rest in peace, Nasha...

Our Tasha (black lab) also lived to the ripe old age of 13, but she needed help leaving us.. We would have preferred her passing the way Nasha went.. They never "really" leave, though...

Hugs to you and her kitty-pal.. :hug:

[havocmom]

29. trof, the love doesn't end

even when the vessel wears out and breaks.

Strength to you in this time of saddness.

Vision to you in time when you can see she watches over you still. Their souls are too great to be confined in a body for very many years. They are our guiding spirits.

Vision to you when you need to see it most, trof. A small little cat taught me more about redemption and the survival of spirit through a vision of her whole and strong again after her death at a frail 21. I wish for you the same loving experience with your Nasha.