In Loving Memory of Stormer
July 18, 1989 To July 8, 2002
Though this puppy may have been the largest of the litter, he had the most dainty feet once it was all said and done. And though his feet may have been small, there was nothing small about his spirit and his ability to love! In his earliest days, he was the biggest cry baby. He wouldn't ever quiet down at bedtime and we lost a lot of sleep in those early days. The only way we could solve the problem after trying all we knew, was to make him a "bed" on the headboard of our waterbed! We never heard another peep from him at night time again! (We knew better than to put him in our bed, mostly because of the fear of rolling over on him.)
As he grew he began to show us just how smart he could be. He learned new skills easily and was so easy going that we knew we had been blessed from the very start! When he was about a year old, we decided to get him a companion/girlfriend. Lady was the one to hold that spot. (Also listed on this site) They bonded right away and had the best of times playing together. Stormer could do anything to her. From dominating her to play biting her to kissing her, Lady took it all and responded with kisses for him everytime.
When training time came I took him to a local professional and an adventure began. I worked him everyday as I was told and thoughout the course Stormer once again proved to me how smart he was and how quickly he learned. Before long I could "down" him with simple hand signals without speaking a word. He was so eager to please - and was very successful at that! He was the only dog I ever trained that well. He was such a joy!
As he started aging, the repercussions of getting him from where we did started showing. With no health clearances he started having difficult senior years. Though he never turned away from a good game of chase the ball or "protect mom" or any other game we came up with, he slowly started having more difficulty walking easily. A vet trip showed that his hips and knees were shot. His ability to get up and down became more difficult, yet he always never failed to try and succeed.
The last 3 weeks of his life proved to be the most difficult. It took quite an effort to rise and at times looked like he wouldn't do it. His ability to stay steady on his feet also proved to be quite a challenge. Yet even through all of this, his eyes remained bright, alert and ready for any game we might allow him to take part in. For many years he had the funny habit or "need" to lick us (usually my feet - which my family hated having done to them) and he had a thing for metal! He licked the piano wheels, the handles on the filing cabinet and any other metal surface he'd come across. And when he blessed me with a "foot bath" I reciprocated by rubbing his feet, which he just adored! His ears would melt back onto his head and his eyes would turn dreamy.
He'd had trouble with blood in his urine but a "late in life" neutering took care of that. However, three days before his calling the blood reappeared. I also noticed that he'd started panting a lot, for no apparent reason. When I took him to the vet on July 8th, the exam showed that my boy was in a great deal of pain in his torso area. He'd tense up hard as a rock when the vet tried to feel his insides. The vet decided that it was VERY likely that Stormer had a large tumor or several smaller ones causing the pain and blood. His hips and knees were enough to justify his end. The vet also stated that many dogs handle their pain by panting, which he stated was probably Stormers case, since there had been no crying or whining.
The decision to let him rest was made and with sedation, he was sent on his journey to the meadows of Rainbow Bridge. As he fell asleep he released a great sigh (of relief from pain?) and relaxed as he gave in to his dreams with me whispering in his ears what a wonderful dog he was and how much I'll miss him. Stormer was truly one of God's greatest gifts to me for as much as I loved him, I felt he returned my feelings as well. Being loving, smart, gentle, protective, concerned (in times of our anxiety) and just an overall amazing companion is something I'll remember of him as I gaze at his pictures and think of him running free and healthy and reunited with his Lady love! Till we meet again my friend!
