Guest CorbysMom Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 (edited) My little Austin - show name Genica Never Been Kissed - had to leave us. Losing this little man is huge, especially to my son, Sean, who grew up with Austin and who treated him like his own son. I remember adopting him through his breeder, who was friends with a dear friend of mine. She was the one who coordinated Austin's adoption. She made it all possible. I remember asking my brother to pick Austin up. My brother lived in Ohio on the Kentucky border and Austin was living in Kentucky with his breeder. My brother thought Italian Greyhounds were the size of racing greyhounds, so he rented a Suburban to bring the 8 lb Iggy puppy home to us in New Jersey. I remember the first time we laid eyes on Austin. He was beautiful and so very scared. He hid under a desk for hours. We ordered pizza and when it was delivered, that little man shot out from under the desk like he was launched. Pizza boxes are universal, even to a scared Iggy puppy. Austin had many health problems: seizure disorder, degenerative disc disease, a detached retina, a repaired torn bicep muscle; the surgeon transplanted a chest muscle to replace his bicep, thus keeping his shoulder from dislocating, and a plethora of other, less severe problems. But he wasn't special needs because of his conditions; he was special needs because he was especially needed - by us. We brought him to the vet to see why he was swinging his leg when he walked and was yelping in pain. No xrays were needed. Austin's other bicep muscle had torn and his shoulder was popping in and out of the socket. He was too old and too medically compromised to do surgery again. I left the decision up to Sean. We talked about the fact that there comes a point in time when a vet is powerless. It's at that time that we, as the stewards of our pets, attain the power to fix the unfixable. Sean opted to take his little buddy's pain and make it his own. I look at Sean, who is not quite a kid and not quite a man, and wonder if he'll ever be the same again. And I grieve for my son, who is currently in agony, and for Austin, whose stature may have been little, but whose presence was so incredibly huge. We'll miss you, lil Autie. You've left iggy footprints in our hearts forever..... Edited January 24, 2010 by CorbysMom Quote
Guest Flysmom Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so sorry! Please, hug your son from all of us. He made such a mature decision to let Austin go. Quote
BertnLil Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 Oh, wow, I'm so sorry. Extra hugs for your son--this must be so hard for him. Quote Pam with Sockem the GH, Birdie the JRT, Osorno the chocolate lab, and Shelby the shepherd mix. Missing Clarice (1991-2007) and Lily (2004-2012), always in our hearts.
Guest IrskasMom Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so very sorry Sean and Austin's Mom Quote
Guest argolola Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 Hugs and prayers for you all. I'm so sorry. Quote
Guest questor Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I'm so sorry for you and your son. Austin was adorable ! Quote
dante2zoe Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so sorry for the loss of Austin and for the pain Sean is experiencing. What an exceptional young man. Quote Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow
greytpups Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so sorry...the most loving decision we can make is the most painful Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Guest greymama002 Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 for you and your son. I'm so sorry that he had to make this heartwrenching decision. Rest in peace, precious Austin. Quote
Burpdog Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 What a cute little guy! Sending my sympathy Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits
greytluck Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I'm so sorry for your loss. Your son made a decision nobody ever wants to face. Sending prayers that he finds comfort that he did the right thing. Rest in Peace Austin. Quote Hobbes-Ricard Hatch09/23/99-12/21/09 Always loved, never forgotten. Wally TNJ Boy Howdy, GLS Genuinerisk Corinna
RobinM Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so sorry Nancy. God Speed sweet boy. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project
robinw Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I'm so sorry for both you and Sean. Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19.
duncan41 Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I don't know which is worse, the pain of losing a life companion like Austin or the pain of watching your child in agony. I am so sorry for your loss. Austin was a beautiful guy. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK
Charlies_Dad Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 What a gorgeous boy. I am very sorry you and your son had to make this decision, it is very hard. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.
Guest EmbersDad Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 your son is a hero and i admire him for his decision as tears stream down my face. tell him about rainbow bridge and how he and austin will met again someday. Quote
Guest VaGreymom Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so very sorry for your loss. Quote
Batmom Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I'm so sorry. Hugs for you and your son. Run free, handsome Austin. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.
Guest BoogieDown Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I'm so very sorry. Hugs to all of you. Quote
Guest Gingergrey Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 So sorry for your loss. Hugs to Sean for his unselfish decision. Tell him to remember Rainbow Bridge. Quote
Houndtime Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds
gazehund Posted January 24, 2010 Posted January 24, 2010 A life well lived Sis. Please give your wonderful, sensitive young man a hug from his NY Auntie and take one for you and Amber too. :grouphug Rest well Austin. You are loved. Quote
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