Rottie Blues :(

[Tony4Rotts]

I was wondering to those of you who do Schutzhund, Protection, Ect.. if my past rottie had what it takes! Or in German's case if she had the "right stuff"!
My first rottie ever was storm. She was purchased by my wife when we were still newlyweds. She knew about my passion for this breed and really surprised me when we went for a drive. I guess those listening can learn from my post for i hadn't had the luxury to learn everything about the breed until after the fact we purchased her. She wasn't purchased for too much money for we didn't even know about papers at the time. Although the owner did mention he had the sire's but needed to look for the dam's(Don't ever fall for that one folks!) We drove about two hours away to Texas and were living in New Mexico at the time. We decided to meet him in a nearby town for he had to drive a good hour as well. I couldn't believe how robust she looked,"I'll take this one and Storm was ours! Some early signs showed me that she had it all. When we brought her home it was halloween and kids were knocking on our door and she replied with a low growl and boy was she so alert. She met the kids with so much love and needless to say they forgot their candy! When we disciplined her she would not even yelp, for we would sometimes have to use a firm swift punishment. She never barked for no reason and she always had that sharp guard on whenever she went to do her business. When she was still under 6 months we would walk her around parks and she would be fine until there would be a certain person that would pass and she would give him an "eye" then signal a low gowl! Now this to me was interesting for i knew this meant this person was in her eyes strange. She did this every so often to different strangers. She was usually fine on lead it would just take one every so often for her to get this way. Another interesting thing she did was play the "boss" role over any breed any size and any sex. We socialized her since she was a pup and she always had that i'm top dog mentality. Even when it seemed she was playing she wanted to chase every dog that was running and catch up with them and either herd them or just make them stop running. She loved balls and would fetch them for days at a time. She always returned them to me. I loved to run and have her chase me down until she nipped my left cheek (also known as butt ) and i put an end to that instantly. She was very protective of family and never let up her guard. She was friendly to everyone, loved kids, and definitely would fight any dog if they got too close to my nephew or son. We used to have a very large male and when he got too over zealous with the kisses on the kids! She would give him a scolding that made me wonder if she was eating spinach! She always would place her two front feet on his back and would make him look to the sky. I would love to share her memory with all of you for she passed last summer. I guess what i want to know is did she have what it took to be a Sch prospect ect.. This to me was what i wanted and always will want for i love the "Courage, Alertness, and Willingness to protect her family" Of course some people are happy with the rottie that is happy-go-lucky but now that i used to have storm, i can't imagine owning a rottie without that kind of dedication. Sorry so long!! I'll end it now! P.S. she was not only a brauny bitch, but she had excllent markings, a beautiful head and i especially loved her blocky head! We would see many people walking their rotties and they would not even come close to her "German Look". I remember my wife telling me when she went to the pet store and took Storm one Saturday afternoon and they usually have puppies, dogs, cats, rabbits for sale. She said some guy backed up traffic and halted his vehicle and shouted to my wife if she was for sale, when she replied no he tried to offer $#,### dollars for her and that was alot of money at least quadruple what we paid for her. My wife replied no thanks and he mentioned that he just got back from Germany and he hasn't seen a rottie like that around our area. We loved our family member, friend, protector "Storm" may you rest in peace! I am getting choked up here <sob> I can't wait to get me a rottie soon! It's like something is missing in my life!

[This message has been edited by Tony4Rotts (edited March 29, 1999).]

[Sam]

Tony4rotts!
I'm glad you shared with us what your dog meant to you.
It brought tears to my eyes & some extra cuddling of my girl.
Rottis are wonderful dogs. My 5 year old is my first & I've loved her since day one.
I will always have a rott.
Your storm knows how much you & your family loved her.
I bet shes your 'Gaurdian Angel' & is still watching over you & your family.
God Speed.

[Tony4Rotts]

Sam, I thank you for your very gracious reply and the black and mahogany breed will also be my favorite! I just can't wait to get my pup!

[Sam]

Hi again,
I keep thinking about you & your girl & can't help but put myself in your place.
I don't know how I would handle it.
I'm a single Mom to three girls, one human two canine & they are my life.
I found a site that deals with pet loss (there are many) & in it is some very touching poems.
The url is http://www.lexky.com/dogs/
I also learned that June 20th is WORLD PET MEMORIAL DAY.

This is just one of many poems.
Angel In The Sky
(By Terri Onorato)

There is a star in Heaven
and on it is a place
that's been reserved for you since birth
a place meant for your name.

This star has watched you through the years
but it could not stand alone,
it rested high on angel wings
awaiting your trip home.

You slipped away, I held you close,
your soul flowed through my heart,
I felt your last breath through my tears
I felt your pain depart.

Tonight I looked up to the sky
and there for me to view
was one lone star shining bright
your name was shining too.

You were my angel on this earth,
you're my angel in the sky.
Wait for me, someday you'll see
our names shine side by side.

Take care!
Sam

[Tony4Rotts]

<SOB> <SOB> That was one the most beautiful poems! I certainly appreciate all that you have done.

Thanks Sam!

P.S. here i am a 6'2" grown man getting teary eye'd, Well i see nothing else to get teary eye'd over since she was a best friend and i always seem to glance at all her pictures since she did have her own photo album. I think she had more pictures of her than of all of us!!

[Lady B]

That one did make me cry! But I'm just a big squoochums anyway. We have the same thing -- more photos of our Rotten Kids than of anyone or anything else. Our Baron is the same way about certain "types" of strangers. But children, any and all, he dearly loves. Of all my animal companions through the last 35 years, Baron and a black terrier mutt called Spooky, are most special to me. I know the special place your Storm holds in your heart.

[Sam]

Don't thank me, thank the person who runs that site. I cry when I read it & my dog is young & healthy!!! I know what it feels like to be 'head over heels' over a dog.
My rotti absolutely, for lack of a better term, 'adores me.'/feelings mutual.
I had to chuckle a bit when I read the other posts here re: pictures, ditto.
I also have about 40 rotti 'figurines' of various colors, styles, etc....rotti books.....on a shelf that is built into the wall, the wall being full of rotti pics. (mostly of my own dog, also et al)
Our dogs are a big part of our lives & they love unconditionally......just like children.....just like parents.
The best part is, probally 100 % of this forums members feel the same.
You know what? Now I"M teary eyes so I'd better stop now.
They should add a memorial forum here(Maybe they do, mmm?
Take care all, God Speed,
Sam :-)

[tbmckee]

I totally understand the losing a pet thing. Yesterday my husband and I had to send our girl to doggy heaven. She was so brave. It is so hard to lose a pet that is so much a part of the family. She always thought she was a person and you know so did we. Now I think we need to get another puppy and start over. How do I find a breeder in Wisconsin that I can buy from?? I've been searching the web all day and only came up with one that had a working email address.

[tbmckee]

I totally understand the losing a pet thing. Yesterday my husband and I had to send our girl to doggy heaven. She was so brave. It is so hard to lose a pet that is so much a part of the family. She always thought she was a person and you know so did we. Now I think we need to get another puppy and start over. How do I find a breeder in Wisconsin that I can buy from?? I've been searching the web all day and only came up with one that had a working email address.