My Ozzy's Story

Hi all.
Thanks to all of you who have made me feel so part of 'The Family'
It really is appreciated.
I'd like to 'open up' now and give you all an insight to my dogs life.
This could get boring, so bare with me.


It all started back in '85, some friends of my parents bought a GSD puppy but once that pup was past it's fluffy REALLY cute puppy stage they sought of lost interest, not in a bad way but not the same.
Anyway, me still being a schoolboy with a morning and an evening paper round, i started to take the now 12 month 'Shep with me - I was amazed at how much the dog became SOOO!! loyal to me after only a matter of weeks.
Long story short, they moved away from my area around the time i was about 20.
But in that time my love of the GSD - as a breed - was complete.
I'd walked that said dog morning and night, then once i'd passed my driving test, i'd take it for outings at weekends also - as if it was my dog.

Years passed, with me 'growing up' I.E boozing, living with friends ect
Once i got my own place, secure job, place of my own ect
I decided that i wanted MY OWN GSD
So i made the garden - and house 'Dog Proof'
I then went on my mission to find a puppy, after looking at a couple of 'puppy farms', searching the then, not 'on line' Kennel Club, i found a localish breeder.
Told her my story - bang. I went to see a 4 week old set of pups.
I'd already got his name sorted, my favourite artist being a certain Mr Ozzy Osbourne!!
I took Ozzy home 8 weeks and 3 days old, took a 2 week break from work, to get bonded, i'd also done my research!
Then back to work it was
Well, he came with me everyday.
Big cage in back of car, each job only lasted 45 min, then it was 10 min play or train time - where you saw me - you saw Ozzy.
So you can imagine the bond we got - quick.
...And what a joy to train, little and often, as the old addage goes.
He got things 'right' so quick.
We we're inseperable, morning noon and night as he slept at my side of the bed upstairs, then morning walk, then to 'work' then, instead of my hours lunch that was broken up into mini breaks throughout the day, then home, then playtime. Then bed.
Holidays we're 'Dog Friendly' holidays, as seen on his Facebook album. Ozzy Steward. Cottages in the 'Lakes', Wales and Scotland ect
This went on for nine and a half glorious years.
Me and my buddy - side by side.
Walks, pub, BBQ's the lot.
Then...
It all came to an abrupt end half way through October 09.
18/10/09
Morning fine, dinnertime fine, no sign of anything amiss. Eating and drinking as normal.
Then at 6pm he had a seizure, lasted for around 2 minutes, first one ever and it scared the living daylights out of me.
Rang the vets, who said try to reasure him and monitor him, so i laid with him on the patio all nice and calm - God knows what the neighbours thought.
2 hours later, he had another one, this time it lasted for 45 seconds.
That was it, off to vets.
They kept him in over night, i must've rang them 8 times over 24 hours to check his progress.
At 5pm Monday 19 October, they told me he was not responding to the drugs a well as they had hoped, so we was referred to Chestergates Referral Hospital at Chester.
It was then after his MRI scan, that they told and shown me the huge brain tumour - and that, you know, it would not be wise to wake him up from his general anesthetic.
I held him tightly as they gave him one last injection, literally sobbing my heart out.
So that was that 20th October 15:20 - 2009. The BLACKEST day of my life.
I brought him home with me, had him cremated and here he 'sits' with me at the side of my computer monitor along with his favourite toy, and a photo of him.

I hope i've not offended or bored you all.

Mark

XXX

[kaisersmom]

once again sorry for the loss of your loyal ozzy.

thats a lovely story, thank you so much for sharing your memories with us

[LOVEGSD]

My heart goes out to you, this bought tears to my eyes because I think every single person on this site knows what you mean about that special bond you share with your GSD.

I am so sorry you have lost your beloved Ozzy, he sounded like a cracking boy who clearly had a great family.

Please feel free to post whenever you want about how you feel, you really are amongst people that care.

Sending you hugs....xxx

[Beki]

Mark what a lovely story you where clearly so close to your boy!!!

Hopefully he is having a blast in the evergreen fields at the bridge and waiting to be reunited one day!

x x x x x

[super D]

Bless you Mark.
our thoughts are with you cupcake

[maxandskye]

Oh Mark, what a lovely story from your heart.

It has brought a tear to my eye, in a good way.

Well done Mark for sharing your story.

[Heather]

I don't think you'll have bored anyone with your lovely story- Ozzy sounds such a wonderful dog- you really have lost your best friend and it must have been hard to write this post.

[lozz32]

i am so sorry for your loss mark, ozzy sounds like a lovely boy and i know how much you must be missing him. i lost my gsd in august and i miss him terrible as he was my best mate for 13 years. i have added you on facebook and i look forward to seeing your pics of your boy. stay strong mark as i am sure your boy will be watching over you still. xxxxxx

What a heart rendering Story
Thank you for sharing

Linda x

[Billy Sitch]

Mark - I really am sorry for the loss of Ozzy and realise it is a terrible blow to you the way that it happened. He is at peace now and it is always hard for the one's that love and miss them.

Everyone greaves in a different way and some people take longer than others but I don't think than anyone really 'gets over' that special one.

As the time passes it will get easier and so try and remember your best friend for the love and happiness that he gave. He wouldn't want you to be unhappy would he?

Best wishes

Julie

PS Have to agree with everyone else: he was a very handsome boy