I lost my Best Friend on Saturday...

[stalinsdad]

Saturday started out like every other day. Stalin woke up earlly and wanted to go out and play. So i did the usual let him out to do his buisness while i got ready. when i got done and went to get him he was laying in the yard motionless. At first i wasnt to concerned he did this to me all the time, lay there completly still till i was about three steps away then jump up and come at me to play. So when i called him and he didnt move i thought it was his game. But as i got closer he didnt move, it was to late he had already past on when i got to him. he was only a year and a half old so it came as a huge suprise. The vet was not open on saturday so i was unable to take him in ta have them take a look, so i still am not sure what caused it. I dont think it was heat exhaustion, it was a breazy morning in the 60's. And i dont think it was poison, i have never had any complaints about him. So i am guessing it was natural causes or he was bit by something. I looked the body over and didnt see any bite marks, but that doesnt mean there were none. Anyway i have really taken it hard and blamed myself. that if i was faster maybe this wouldnt have happend. I guess i just wanted to put this down so that everyone knows how much Stalin meant to me. I never in a million years thought i would be without him this soon, it really was like loosing one of my kids.

[littleredinstl]

I am so sorry for your loss. I usually don't read the posts on rainbow bridge, theymake me cry and my heart wrenches. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to my girl. Bigtime heartache. again, i am so sorry for you.

[Oskar's Mummy]

So sorry to hear about your loss...

[Anne]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Is it possible that he could have had a heart problem? Over here we would think perhaps snake bite in the outer areas.

How very sad for you and a terrible shock. The love you have for him will stay in your heart.

Godspeed Stalin.

[rottnkidd]

I am certainly not a vet, but my first thought after reading your post, was that Stalin succumbed to a congenital heart disease called, SAS (sub-aortic stenosis). It leads to a sudden death, especially in young, growing dogs, and is not uncommon to our breed. Here is an article from the American Rottweiler Club on SAS. SAS: ARC Brief for Breeders
I am truly sorry for your loss.
kathy

[Sour Sugar]

R.I.P Stalin. prayers to you and your family. Stalin is now playing with the other angels.

[Sissy]

I can feel your pain, my thoughts are with you. May Stalin become a sweet memory. Don't worry about where he is now, I'll tell to my lost angels to take care of him and keep him company.

[livertw]

I am so sorry for your loss. My Daisy died on Feb. 19 quite suddenly also. She too basically lay down and passed away. I was lucky to have had her for 6 1/2 years, unlike your Stalin who left so very young. (My vet thinks it was heart failure from a hereditary condition.)

There is a host of new Rottie angels at the Bridge to welcome your boy.

[Sheenagirl]

I am so very sorry for your loss of your Stalin, especially one so young.
If it were a snake bite you would have seen massive swelling at the wound site and I don't believe he was outside long enough for a snake bite to cause death so quickly (snakes like the diamondback rattlesnake or pigmy rattler can be deadly but generally not so quickly). It has not been hot enough yet here in Florida to be heat exhaustion - I don't believe even poison would have worked that fast. So ruling out all of these leaves me to agree with rottnkid regarding the SAS.
A lot of us have lost our special heart dogs lately and I just wanted to say you are not alone in your grief.
God speed Stalin - fly with the angels. You can now play with all of our Rotties at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Sam's Mom]

So young...what an unexpected tragady. I am so very sorry. RIP Sweet Boy.
You have Playful sunshine days ahead and many new friends to hang out with.

[tuckersmum]

Oh no....... my heartfelt condolences on your loss of your Stalin. How difficult it is to lose one so dear so young. It sounds as if he had the BEST dad and a wonderful life.... You did a wonderful thing being in his life, and he will be waiting for you when the time comes...I friend sent this to me after my favorite rottie boy passed on.

The Rainbow Bridge

[kerry grant]

Really very sorry for you,Stalin is at the bridge now , with all the other Rotties that have had to leave ther loved ones,thinking of you xx

[stalinsdad]

Thanks everyone for the kind words and great links to the sights.

[Spoiled Rott'n]

My Sabre passed on very similarly on 12/29/2006, so I understand your pain and sadness, my heart breaks for you. Coming here helps though, believe me. Hopefully the others who have passed before him will show him the way.

[groupieindenial]

Thats terrible, I really hope you find out what happened, however I don't think thats possible without an autopsy. THey do say that SAS can hit dogs they call "silent carriers" cuz they don't have an audible murmur.