[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: CH. " NITRO" Our Beloved Boy, Farewell (long, with my apology)

From: "Louis Christina" <louroshepherds@xxxxxxxxx>
To: rbuffdogs@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 14:12:37 GMT
Kathy & Ken, it is with great sorrow to hear of the passing of your Nitro. A 
gorgeous dog and sounds like he was also a fun dog. It is a shame we outlive so 
many of our dogs. Your memories of Nitro will be forever and he will live 
forever in your hearts. Again my condolence of your loss of a great German 
Shepherd. ____Louie 


-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Tank
Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2009 12:05 PM
To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] CH. " NITRO" Our Beloved Boy, Farewell (long, with my 
apology)

His AKC number was DL830513/01 ,  His name Ch. Elvaston's Nations Cup, TC ,
OFAGOOD
His achievements were 26 BISS/ BOBs, # 6 GSD in the Nation in 2003, on his
way now, to his ROM...
In only four breedings , one of which was a singleton, he gave us a Champion
, group winning son, and four, soon to be five
other qualifiers.....but those statistics don't describe who this great dog
was, and what he means to us.
I sit here, shaking, tears make it hard for me to see the screen.  Ken just
left with our beloved boy, to
bring him home in the familiar cedar lock box.   Both of us red eyed, and
crying, Ken and I  stood bidding  one last Farewell,
to  our robust, macho boy there, dark and still stunningly beautiful, silent
now in the back of his van.
  Wrapped in his blanket, accompanied by my "slippie" (an Ugg boot) that he
took such pleasure in stealing,
 and a  picture drawn by his tearful seven year old
little boy, Hunter, along with one of his lovingly given little socks...
The doors closed, and as he and Ken took one final trip
 in the car ,  a huge piece of my Heart and Soul went with them...and a
remarkable chapter closed on our lives.

A flood of memories come to me....how fortunate I was to have this arrogant,
plush coated , black eyed puppy come into my life.
How amazing it was, that he single- handedly was responsible for bringing
Ken and me together, and in turn
and in time the birth of our beautiful son, Hunter.   Had I not bought this
tough, funny puppy, from his extraordinary breeder
over nine years ago.....how different things would be.  One dog, changing
and touching so many lives.

He barked and bristled and flagged his tail at unloading time at every show
"Nitro is Here!" he seemed to proclaim.
He loved to show, I swear the dog was BORN to show. The big ass, lol, he was
CERTAIN all those people came to the show just to see him..

 He gave us 100% each and everytime we asked it of him.
He never let down, he never stopped...a true juggernaut in, and out of the
ring.  When he wasn't in the ring, he was our
staunch personal protection dog, and he MEANT it.   Particularly of his
kids, and esp of Hunter.   He would have laid down his life for him
and he adored him and followed him, from the moment Hunter came home from
the Hospital...
Big ole tough dog had a soft side....small children and babies.   If there
was a crying child, it was Nitro's mission to "fix it!!"
Kissing and smooching and washing the face of babies in strollers, much to
the amazement and sometimes shock of parents.

He was a lovable thief, which on more than one occasion earned him the name
of "G**dammit Nitro!"  always said laughingly..and he
would parade the forbidden article in front of us to be sure we saw it ,
before hiding it in his crate.   Once a week we would empty his
crate of shoes, socks , slippers, magazines, TV remotes , toys, and
contraband....Big Ole Booger.

He was my VERY BEST FRIEND, above all.  He adored Ken and yet, still showed
for him like a demon.  He doted on the children.
He was the consummate puppy raiser , making sure they knew when to pee ,
where, and when to bark.  A gentle, patient teacher.

He was equally at home in Specialty and Group rings.  He was a BIG guy, 27
3/4 inches, dark, and plush.  He tipped the scales at 93 lbs
in show condition....yet somehow he maintained his athleticism, which amazed
us  , continually.

Our  beloved Nitro , our Pride and Joy, began to show signs of weight loss
several days ago....well at not quite Ten, I thought "okay
his condition is off"    He, in his retirement enjoyed steak (yes steak)
over most meals, and chicken and of course Cheetos, Goldfish,
Good and Plentys , jellybeans, and pretty much anything those black eyes
could wrangle from you.  lol.    If he didn't woo you with that,
he showed us "broken footy"  a forefoot raised...looking pathetic.  What a
comedian.   He ALWAYS got what he wanted.

We found out last week that Nitro had Hemangiosarcoma of the liver.
Devastating.    He lived this last week, as a king should live.
Because in our home he was, King.
Yesterday, he only dabbled at breakfast, ate a few Goldfish.
He had that "faraway" look in his eyes, from time-to -time.
By 5 pm, it was clear he was leaving soon.
He laid on his blanket and I sat by him......when I said "There's Ken"  he
got up and went the door, haltingly,
but with a smile on his face....at last his people were home.   He wagged
his tail gently, and he "smiled" as
Hunter hugged him.
We sat until late night and talked to him and watched him....Ken put the
kids to bed, and finally slept, himself.

I got my pillow and another blanket, and laid down next to my dark,
beautiful boy, arm over him, fingers entangled in his plush coat.

Nitro as a puppy, slept right up next to me, leash in my hand in case he
needed to get up.
Nitro last night,  slept  right up against me on the floor, leash in my hand
in case he needed to get up.
At 4:30 am, My Best Friend stretched out closer to me ,, my arm over his
shoulder embracing him
shuddered and stopped breathing.......moments later, his great heart went
silent.

Even in death, Nitro thought only of us.  He waited for Ken and Kaitlyn and
his little Hunter to come home.
He lay next to me, and endured my sobs, and tears dampening his coat......he
passed before the children awoke, to spare them the pain.

He spared me the heartache of putting him down, or a protracted
illness.....My Friend, your final gift was perhaps your greatest

As our hearts break, and the tears flow, without warning....we are overjoyed
that we have his children and Grandchildren here, with us..
so much like him....those black eyes...

My love and appreciation to his breeder, Audrey Marsh.   Thank you for your
faith in me, and your support all these years.
Thank you to the many judges who appreciated him so very much during his
seven year long career.

And finally, to My Husband , Ken....who took this curly , arrogant, tough,
macho, promising puppy...and let him shine.
Nitro truly adored you Sweetheart.....thank you for you love towards him,
and your immense talents that took him so very far.

 Farewell, My Best Friend, "The Weasel",  "G** damit Nitro, "B.O.B the
Wunder Weasel"...

My Nitro, it was quite a ride, Buddy.....and I miss you SO damn much.
"Nitro"  1999-2009

Kathy Tank


http://www.victorygermanshepherds.com
~or~
http://www.germanshepherdssocal.com
PUP-DATED:  MAY 6, 2009
Home of:

CH. Elvaston's Nations Cup TC, 26 BOBs
CH. Victory's Leviathan
CH. Garter's E-Male of Fran-Jo Anne Isle

WE SUPPORT DRUG AND DYE TESTING


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============================================================================
POST is Copyrighted 2008.  All material remains the property of the original 
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind 
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the 
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY 
MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS 
PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY 
FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE 
PROSECUTED. 

For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx

VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
============================================================================
[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: CH. " NITRO" Our Beloved Boy, Farewell (long, with my apology)

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