Sasha Firestone, passed on today, at the ripe old age of 14. Rescued through the Humane Society, you came into our lives and warmed our hearts. You were gentle to the point that someone could put their hand into your mouth and you’d never bite. You loved to chase the squirrels and poop in the ivy. You never chased the cat, and even slept next to each other now and then. When Kelly the Sheltie showed up, you found a friend to play with in the backyard, even when you didn’t speak the same language (there’s a theory out that she speaks French or something, we’re still not sure)…
And when you were bitten by a snake in our backyard, and in such pain, fur falling out. Several surgeries began and you were one of the toughest dogs anyone at the clinic had ever seen. Veterinarians were writing papers about you. The odds were against you, and they gave you a purple heart for your effort, and we came to see you nearly every day to help you through it. You even ended up with a pig’s GI tract for a reconstructed backside. Amazing. Nobody understood how you survived. More papers were written when it was discovered you retained a full range of motion. More amazing. Just like before the bite you loved to tear around the backyard in big circles, even with the hood on. (And by the way, we really have to thank Pender Veternary Clinic in Chantilly for pulling out all the stops for us. You gave Sasha her life back, and quite a few more great years with us.) Your Mommy said today one thing she’ll really miss is the ridiculous seam running down your side where the doctors had to patch you up, messing up that beautiful brown streak through your black fur.
Years later, we had to put the hood on again when you worried over some of the scar tissue. Even a year ago, your vet marveled that you still had full range of motion. And we still had no idea anything was wrong until less than two weeks ago when things just started giving out. In the end, you were still brave, wanting to make your Mom and Dad proud and reassure Abby and Caroline that everything would be all right.
And it was, and it is. We’ll be okay. We’ve had to explain to Abby how you’ve got to go to heaven to be with Squeekers, and that you’ll be able to run around again up there, and that’s real important to all of us that you be able to do that again. She sort of understands, and but she wants you to stay. All the same she knows you have to go. You’ve had a good life, and we’ll miss you much. Sweet puppy, we’ll make sure Kelly the Sheltie’s looked after, she’s going to miss you too.
R.I.P. Sasha Firestone, you will be missed. To the bravest purple heart dog ever loved by all, I hope you have a great time tearing around the backyard up there in heaven. Say “Hi” to Squeekers for us, and we’ll catch up later kid. Cheers. We love you. G’night Sasha-bear.
