Storm

Storm was an excellent companion, watch dog, friend and family member to us for over 9 1/2 years. She was very energetic, happy, loved to play and got along well with our other dog, a Yorkshire Terrier named Dakota. We recently had brought her home a gift in February, a baby sister named Brooklynn. The first day we brought Brooklynn home Storm was so happy, sniffed her, gave her a kiss and always had to know she was okay. We were amazed at how good both of our dogs are/were with Brooklynn and how much love they show/showed her. When we would put Brooklynn in her crib Storm cried because she could not see her, we assured her she was fine. For the past two months we noticed Storm had started slowing down a little but but was still herself and we had treated her for a bladder infection in August. We thought the bladder infection was back because she had a few accidents. On Monday, September 26th, my birthday of all days, she collapsed going out the side door that morning, we had a vet appointment that afternoon for her rabies vaccine so we took her that afternoon. The vet checked her over to discover she was severely anemic, took an x-ray and discovered she had abdominal bleeding, likely her spleen had a tear/rupture that was likely a tumor/cancer, which is very common in German Shepards. We could not put her through extensive blood transfusions and spleenectomy because there are no guarantees with those and at her age it was likely she would not survive, and if it was cancer it is usually to far advanced to do much. Survival after a spleen removal also is not very long. Our options were to put her to sleep or give her cortisone shots and hope that they helped and if all was okay in the morning come back for prednisone. We knew our time was now limited with Storm so we opted to take her home and see what would happen, she was in no pain. She did not look much better by morning so we took her back thinking this was possibly it. The vet suggested give it time she was still alert (which we knew and made it so hard) but he said she had more coloring in her eyes & gums shot/pills may have helped. She was okay that day although not herself, the next three days she went downhill. We fed her like a queen chicken & steak and treats when she would eat. Gave her extra love and care and waited for her to either pass peacefully at home, which the vet assured us would be peaceful and pain free for this condition, or to let her tell us when she was ready. She told us that Thursday and we took her the next day to be put to sleep. The most difficult decision we ever had to make but she told us she was ready. We loved her so dearly and miss her so much! RIP Storm, our Moose! Love, Mommy, Daddy, Brooklynn & Dakota

Jaime & Edward Spehar