Meet Asta

[steglaw]

I found this board after my beloved 14+ year old Aussie mix died last year of cancer. I started watching the SW dogs available section months ago, really probably much earlier than I should have after such a hard loss. I was often frustrated and would have to step away at times, waiting for my husband to be ready, as I saw dog after dog after dog that I knew would fit into our family be rescued and adopted (although happy that each and every one of them found a home), but husband was adamant that he wasn't adopting until he was ready on his timetable. Fortunately for us, the timing is finally right. I found Asta (formerly known as Star) on the http://www.bcrescuetexas.org/page1.htm page as an independent rescue about two weeks ago, had a few emails with her people, went to meet her and them and she's been home with us, for good, for just over a week.

She was described as a BC/greyhound mix, but neither my vet nor my trainer see the greyhound in her - we're thinking more likely a BC/heeler mix of some sort, although 3rd opinions are always welcome.

Anyway, no one knows how she got to the SPCA to begin with (although she was clearly used to being someone's pet and was HW-, spade and housetrained), but she was rescued last April and returned within 48 hours because....and I quote....she seemed "sad." I don't know who adopts a dog and brings it into a new environment and then decides, a day later, to take it back because it seems "sad." Do people not realize a dog needs some time to adjust to new surroundings and/or gain a little trust? And, on top of that, she was more likely lethargic because she had an upper respiratory infection and was SICK, not sad. I think it best that she didn't end up staying with whoever it was that adopted her initially - they just had no clue and she deserves so much better.

Fast forward and she gets treated for the URI and is adopted again, the end of April, to a lovely family with young children and.....two cats. As it turns out, cats are her Achilles heel and, like Israel and the Palestinians, Asta and the cats can find no lasting peace accord. While she is beautifully behaved and gentle around the children and calm enough on a leash to be walked by the children's 80-year old grandmother and she was cared for and loved by her new family, she is still not in the best situation for her because of the cats and, heartbreaking as they found it, the family decides they should look for a better (i.e., catless) home for her and so she goes up on the board.

After a week with us, she seems to be settling in very nicely in a house where she has the run of the place. She was clearly unsure on the car ride home, but we've had not a single accident in the house, we've had daily walks and ball throwing (and a one-on-one with a personal trainer that was lots of fun) and she is responding quickly to her new name and she seems quite relaxed as she naps at our feet in the evening while we're watching TV. She seems to grow more and more confident daily and is a quiet and calm dog indoors unless we are tossing the quacking stuffed mallard, her favorite new toy. I particularly love sitting on the floor and having her come over and set her head on my shoulder and then nuzzle my ear. She's elegant and dainty (other than the way she eats) and so well mannered indoors, quite a contrast to our big, burly Aussie who plowed his way into our hearts despite his fondness for expensive women's footwear, and her intelligence just shines through in her big, beautiful eyes. I guess the timing was right and it was meant to be.

We named her Asta because, with her coloring, we thought it was a nod to classic black/white movies and classic b/w movie dogs in particular (for those under a certain age - Asta was the dog in the old Thin Man movie series - check it out on Turner Classic Movie channel sometime) and the fact that Asta comes from the Greek word for star (her former name), just clinched it.

So, here are a few pictures from our first weekend together - tossing the ball with my husband and relaxing around the house.

[Jedi's Mom]

She's beautiful and obviously meant to be a part of your family. Welcome home Asta!

[ajones]

Thanks for sharing Asta's story--I'm glad that the timing worked out for her to join your family, and I wish you many lovely years ahead! She looks and sounds wonderful!

[CollieCallix]

What an inspiring story you got there. Asta is destined to be included in your family. I am hoping for more happy years of your family with her.