In memory of my former Aussie, Arson
My ‘best ever’
Australian Shepherd, Arson, died a natural death Wednesday at home.I don’t except anyone to read this lengthy post, but if you do, Ihope you’re inspired by it.
Twelve years ago, Imet the breeder who produced him, and she handed me this noisily protesting little red/brown puppy. It was instantly clear hedetested being held. Over the years, it became clear he protested being restrained in any way. And he protested and muttered a lot, he let you know his feelings.
It was a two hour car trip back home from where I had met his breeder and picked him up. He had bonded with me by the end of the first hour and never voluntarily let me out of his sight over the next twelve years. He didn’t trust vaccuums, lawnmowers, or even cars around me, and tried to protect me from them in a passive aggressive manner. He had the typical aussie initial distrust of most people, then would warm up to them rather quickly. He never walked where he could bounce it seemed. In fact, several of my friends suggested I should rename him ‘Bounce’. I kept the breeder’s name, she had named the whole litter after terms related to her husband’s work (who was afirefighter), so he had litter-mates: Bell, Siren, Hazard..yes, it does sound like a noisy litter.
particularly in the last couple of years, where he went in the bedroom to nap alone on his doggie bed, but if any sound happened, he would come), and I often ended up wiping a smushed Aussie (*joke*) from my tail end if I abruptly stopped without signaling first.
He displayed great patience and restraint in playing happily with my mother’s Pomeranian, the stray Havanese that I still have. As little as two weeks ago, he was mock-fighting with the Havanese. The Havanese waved his paw at Arson to initiate the behavior, then charged in growling, bounced on the Aussie’s back (if he was laying down), bit
his neck with great ferociousness, bounced off, ran around Arson barking, ran under Arson (if standing), attacked his feet, rinse and repeat. Arson would mock-bite him (with that huge mouth), bat him gently with his paws, growl back, and spin slowly as he tracked the little dog circling him. Then there were the ‘Catch the Rags’ (Rags being the Havanese’s name) sessions, in which Rags would dash madly to incite Arson to chase him, dash under car (or something) that was too low for Arson to follow, then run out in a big circle, and start game over again.
Arson was so reliable that I often walked him off-leash in Houston. I knew he’d never get more than six feet away from me anyway, and his obedience was great. He never laid or dug in the flower beds, never took anything off a table or coffee table, I don’t believe he ever destroyed anything. He was strangely fond of carrot and potato peelings, and I called him variously, my pig or my garbage disposal. He ate with restraint and never had a weight issue. He drank copious amounts, I had the vet test him for diabetes once, but it was just Arson the water hog.
In at least the last several months of his life, I have now (just before his death) concluded he had been partially deaf, but I had never realized it,because he covered so well and knew what I wanted. I didn’t really realize it till I walked up on him when he biting at an inch and he didn’t hear me, and was startled to find me there when he turned back. Then in retrospect, I saw what I had been missing for months.
To say a large piece of my life is now missing is an understatement.
He had been a great solace when my mother died about four years ago. Though I’m sure he didn’t understand why I was crying, he always came to see about me if I did. Now, when I mourn him, there’s no one to comfort me.
Lest I leave you with a sorrowful memory, I will continue with the occurrences up to today, four days after his death.
I had scheduled euthanasia for Arson at 3:30 pm Wednesday, having concluded that it was time, he was sick and his quality of life was gone. He had been experiencing some bad diarrhea and was exiled outside for the last
four days of his life. I sat outside with him for about an hour 12:30-1:30, then went inside as I had used up my allotment of Kleenex by then. To distract myself, I started browsing for Australian Shepherds in rescue situations. I even emailed about two of them during that time that had caught my eye. I saw Arson walk slowly across the yard outside about 2:30. At 3:20 I went outside to load him in the car, but he was dead under a shrub in the back yard.
Both of the emails were answered, one was from a animal control about 100 miles away. One turned out (I had no idea) to be ostensibly in my small hometown (population 1500). The chances of a rescue there seemed nil, but I
followed up. I went to meet the breeder and the prospective dog, who had been retained for a stud, but due to the breeder’s ill health and the sheer exuberance of the dog, was more than she could handle.
I can’t say a bond formed during my hour visitation there yesterday, but I don’t truly expect a magical bond. For me, it’s been a bond that grows over time...usually not too long. The dog is a four year old and probably
wasn’t given enough individual attention to his social interaction with humans. He’s one of those that jump on you and give you a nice wet kiss on the face. He’s also totally ball obsessive. I feel I can fix that and I’m going to give it a go. The only thing is now evaluating his first interaction with the havanese. The breeder fears he may not be a good choice for cohabitation with another male dog. I’ve never had issues in my 40 years of having
dogs (I’m 50), so I’m not too worried about it, though concerned. I also have found Aussies to be so very easy to train as they’re usually simply crushed by a harsh word, they want to please so much.
The new Aussie is smaller than my previous ones (who were 55-65 lbs) and is 45 lbs, he almost looks a miniature in comparison to what I’m used to. He’s glad to meet people (if only because they might throw that ball), he walks like a dream on leash. I think he just needs to be taught what humans expect of him a bit more, and he will find calmness. I also want to break that fascination with that damn ball. While I will play with him, both with balls and frisbees, I don’t want the ball to be his central focus in the world.
I had no intention of finding another dog so soon, if at all, but it just is so darn fateful that I would find one in my own little hometown. I now live about 30 miles from there, but my father still lives there.
I thought of the havanese as my greatest challenge. Initially he was so afraid, he bit my finger severely when I tried to pull him out from under a porch where he’d cowered for four hours after dad shot a gun. I put a halter on him several months after we adopted him from his stray beginnings, and had to take him to the vet to remove it...he
was threatening to bite, growling terribly. It’s been a long and rocky road to earn his trust, which I have, but it’s been slow stages. He still expects if you throw anything, it’s thrown to hit him and any sudden movement of feet in his direction, is to kick him, even after five years with me.
Anyway, that’s allI’ll write and I applaud you if you stayed with me this far.
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9 years agoI did end up getting another dog quite quickly. He was being rehomed by his breeder, and is a shy but calm little fellow. My aussies have always been full size, so this large mini is like 'Honey, I shrank the Australian Shepherd'. I am still bonding so I haven't really seen his personality, it's just beginning to show through.
Like all dogs, he's going to have his own personality. I marvel at how he can make a quarter of an already small Blue Wilderness biscuit last for almost five minutes. I swear, he bites to break it and then eats shavings or dust one at a time. I'm looking forward to getting to know him, knowing that he isn't an Arson replacement, but a unique individual.
Meet Denver. I must say I feel more comfortable calling his name aloud than 'Arson'. :)
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8 years agoI'm checking in to let you know that Fred did have a peaceful passing. Carmelita shook the whole time. I think she just sensed our sadness. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know I did the right thing. I thank you all for your kind thoughts and dbarron, I didn't mean to hijack your thread but thank you for allowing me to do so. RIP little Fred.
dbarron thanked murraysmom Zone 6a OH- 8 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)