We brought Star home in April of 1995. I was then pregnant with our first son, Ryan. Star started her life as a difficult puppy! She loved to chew everything including the basement stairs! I had to put hot pepper sauce on them to try to deter her. Finally, after six months and some training she became a well-behaved girl. She even learned to stay in her yard without a fence. Well, most of the time.
Our first tramatic experience with her was when one evening I was headed out to return a rug shampooer and decided to take her with me. Unforturnately, when taking a left turn into the shopping center someone ran the red light and t-boned my car. I remember a man came over to check on me and when he opened the door, Star bolted. I was taken to the emergency room and had to be hospitalized for a few nights. The accident had caused me to start having premature labor. Our first concern was our baby that wasn't due yet, and the next was finding Star. After I was settled at the hospital, Kenny made his gallant rounds at the location of the accident to locate our lost pup. He passed out business cards to everyone and also to the Home Depot where I was planning to go that night Miraculously, two days later Star walked in the front door of the Home Depot and was immediately recognized as the dog Kenny had asked them to look out for. She was dirty and rough looking but not a scratch on her. They kept her until my neighbor came to get her. When I got home from the hospital on Sunday my friend & neighbor, Wanda brought her to me, all freshly bathed and happy to come home. That day, there was much relief and gladness.
Star continued to make herself an important part of our family. She loved her walks & playing ball. She was a great watch dog! Everyone always commented on her famous "Elvis" smile. She was very protective, but also friendly and just wanted to be loved.
Our second Star episode came when we took our boys, Ryan & Travis down to their very favorite place, Uncle Terry and Aunt Amy's for the weekend. We took Star with us thinking she would really enjoy the country air. She did enjoy that, but could care less for the fireworks, or gun shots. The day we were suppose to go home the boy's were getting in some last minute shooting and as soon as Star heard the firing she was off. For hour's we looked for her. I prayed and prayed!! I couldn't imagine leaving withour her. We were having no luck. We had to start loading up to go home. Packed up and ready to go the boy's went out to make one more effort to find her while I continued to pray. Shortly after they left, they came back, and with them they brought, STAR!! I couldn't believe it! They said she was coming down the road towards them as they were going out to find her. It was a very happy ride home. We had our Star girl back! I thought, we should have named her, Boomerang!
The years have passed and Star got older. She never stopped loving her walks or her treats. Cookouts were a favorite too! She had been with us so long that we could not imagine life without her.
On November 12, 2009 was the day that Star showed us the signs that something awful was going wrong. She had recently been having bladder issues and was still on medication. That morning she wouldn't get up. Kenny stayed home to take her to the vet hospital. Our vet would not be in until 9:00am and we didnt' want to wait that long. After a very long day and some tests and ultrasounds later, the Dr. called and told us the horrible news. Star had a liver that was solid cancer, an adrenal gland that had a mass, and she was experiencing kidney failure. Kenny made the decision that we needed to spend time with her before we did anything. I don't know how we would have gotten through the whole thing without Kenny's presence of mind and his sensitivity to what was happening. He absolutely loved her as much as any of us. It was to be the saddest and longest night ever. We all camped out with her on our sleeping bags. The only thing we could get her to take through the night were cubes of ice that she licked from our hands and lot's of petting and love. I don't know what she thought of all the tears. Travis hardly stopped crying and the rest of us did our share. Ryan took her tag and made it into a necklace. He also took her older tag that was from our previous address and made it into a necklace for Travis. They are both shaped like stars.
The next afternoon after Kenny had made many calls we decided to take her back to the vet hosptial to let her go. It was the longest day ever, longer than the night before. The hardest part was Star never looked that sick. She was still so beautiful! She had stopped eating and in the last few hours she wouldn't even take ice. Kenny had to carry her outside to go potty and she couldn't stand for more than a few minutes without falling. She reminded me of a very small baby doe trying to walk. It was hearbreaking, as was watching Kenny lovingly attend to her to make sure she didn't experience any more discomfort than she was already feeling.
About 2:30pm we got Star into the car and headed towards the hospital. With heavy hearts we were thinking about the task ahead When we arrived Kenny went in to make the final arrangements while we waited in the car, telling Star how much we loved her, that we were going to miss her, in-between all our tears.
Kenny came out to tell us they were ready for us. We went into the small, but pleasant room. They came in to get Star to put the catheter in and then brought her back. We had more goodbyes, more tears, prayers and emotions so overwhelming it was hard to take. Then the doctor came in to explain the procedure and it was soon over. Star went quietly and peacefully. We left with tears still in our eyes and couldn't believe she was gone.
Back at home, we are still adjusting to her absence. She was such a huge part of our lives. Everywhere we turn there is another reminder of her.
We were to blessed to have her those 14 1/2 years. She brought us joy and love all of her days! We will miss her so very much! She was certainly, without doubt, our Star!