Farewell to
Asta von Barren Berg BH, AD, CD, CGC, TT, ZB:SG
As a puppy you followed Baron around and reaped the benefits of his work. As we both know Baron had a special talent for getting whatever he wanted.
I am sure you are with him now catching up on old times and sharing all the cookies you can eat! After we parted ways with Baron you grew into your own dog and our relationship blossomed into something very special. I feel bad for the people that do not or cannot own a dog. They will never know the wonderful feeling of the unconditional love and loyalty that we shared. I honestly don’t know if I will ever have a relationship like that again with another dog. There will never be another dog like you.
You taught me a lot about life. You knew how to enjoy the moment. I enjoyed watching you lay in the yard enjoying the outdoors with a big smile. You were so content just to be outside laying and rolling in the grass. Those memories of you will never leave me.
You were always patient with me when I was “training” with you. I made a lot of mistakes. I am truly sorry and I hope I made up for them. I know in my heart that you forgave me.
I am happy that I could give you a very full life. We did lots of things together that made us both very happy. I still cannot decide which your favorite was: the rides in the truck, walks, running with the bike, swimming, tracking, bite work, playing fetch or just laying in the back yard. I do know that obedience was your least favorite activity-so we stayed away from that after you retired! One thing I am sure of is that eating greenies was at the top of your list! We thank Kathy and Leo for that!! I don’t know if Baron ever enjoyed greenies so I will put two in with your ashes so you can share them with Baron.
I know it was time for you to go but that does not make losing you any easier. I cannot believe how much I am missing you. My entire life revolved around you. I miss everything we did together from your first morning belly rub to the cookie I tossed on your bed last thing at night. Coming home is very hard without you here to greet me. This house is very empty without you. You were my constant companion and my most valued & cherished friend. I Love you very much and I will never stop missing you.
People tell me it will get easier but I do not see that ever happening. You were a very special dog and Rich and I were very lucky to have you in our lives. Everyone tells me that you were lucky and I gave you a full life but what they don’t realize is how much you gave me. You gave me all of you! I could not do the same for you but I gave you everything I could. You were always a priority in my life and after Baron died I made sure that you were my first priority. I will never stop missing your beautiful smiling face. Nothing will ever replace that. You were one of a kind and what we had was very special and the memories of our time together will stay with me until we meet again. I don’t know when we will meet again but for the first time in my life I do not fear death. I know you will be there waiting to greet me wagging your tail and smiling that big happy smile. When I close my eyes that is the Asta I remember – I smile and then I cry.
Give my love to Baron, Gundi, Ninja, Borita and all the Baron’s Reich pups that crossed the bridge before you. Make sure to greet Anke when she eventually joins you and tell her I love her very much too!