THE END OF AN ERA February 5, 2001. Tonight I took the life of another of our beloved Shepherds. The decision was heartbreaking, but not difficult. It was time. Peto was just slightly over 9 1/2 years old, but he was an old 9 1/2. His spine was giving out. He could not get up by himself and he had difficulty walking.It was time. But Peto was so much more than a crippled old dog. Therefore, we will celebrate his life on this page, not mourn him. For years his awards page featured the brief well-known cut from the William Tell Overture, more popularly known as The Lone Ranger theme. For this page I have found the best orchestral midi version of the entire Overture I've ever heard. Turn your volume up and enjoy his musical tribute while I tell you about a very special German Shepherd Dog. In many ways, The Lone Ranger is an apt description of Peto. But again, he was much more than that. To me, he was the epitome of what a German Shepherd should be. He was friendly, but in a aloof sort of way. He was resolute and determined, but showed no animosity. He was proud, -but not vain. He could be a gentle giant or a formidable presence, depending on the situation. He had courage, -the highest. He was loyal, -the most reliable. He was trustworthy and dependable, -the best. He could walk among giants with his head held high and play with children and puppies with a gentleness that was tender. He was a leader and the Alfa of the pack. He expected their respect and he got it. Why? Very simple. He deserved it. I can give no higher tribute than to say that I, his human master, would try to emulate his character in my daily life.Peto taught me a lot.I have turned his page into past tense and added a closing box at the end PETO PETO's DATA PETO's TRAINING Name: PETO (Dam: Princess ~ Sire: Wichita) Basic Obedience Finnish Meaning: Wild Beast Advanced Obedience Sex: Male SAR DOB: June 6, 1991 ~ Died: February 5, 2001 Personal Protection Training Place of Birth: Waldorf, Maryland Acquired: August 1991 Breeder: Private Citizen This Was PETO! Peto was the Alpha Male. His problem was that he knew it. He was independent and aloof. We sometimes called him "Mr. Cool". Although he accepted pets and hugs, he would cut it off as soon as one of the other dogs came into the room. I guess he thought he had an image to maintain. Despite this, he had a soft heart for puppies. Oh, he rolled them, to remind them who he was, but gently. He was a kind, big brother to every puppy that joined our (his) pack. Peto and Susi, at ages 12 mos. and 2 mos. for example. Peto was taller and more slender than most male GSDs, although he definitely had the masculine characteristic 'blockhead'. He did not run or leap with pounding paws. Rather, he glided with grace and ease like a gazelle. We don't have a picture that truly shows it, but this one comes close. He often used his speed to outrun the other dogs, running 3/4 speed sideways and heckling them as they pounded after him. He was FAST! Even at only 6 mos., Peto's almost regal bearing was evident. He would sit or lay with his head held high, exuding confidence. Not aggression or animosity, just plain simple confidence. He was loyal, courageous and stouthearted and proved it more than once. He was also a loner. He would play with the other dogs, but always on his terms. He especially liked to play 'macho' with Jassu. While Peto did reasonably well in SAR training, his aloofness and independence were often a hindrance. He did, however, love Personal Protection training. His body posture, tail position and bark were dead give-aways to just how much he enjoyed it. Despite Peto's Show Class ancestry, he came very close to matching the capabilities of the Working Class GSD. (Update about 2 1/2 years ago). I tried to think of new ways to describe him. All I could think of adding at that time was that I admired him. I admired and respected Peto. In all my military years and civilian management positions, I remember the saying, 'Lead as if you EXPECT to be followed. Command as if you EXPECT to be obeyed'. That was Peto! The other dogs didn't start any rough-housing with him, if it happened, he initiated it. But always playful, he was never aggressive nor bullied them. When he walked by, none of them got up to challenge or even make a sound at him. They just respectfully watched. On the few occasions one did stir as he went by, one look from him and the offender settled back down. He didn't take a circuitous route around them if he was going from point A to point B, he just went where he wanted. If they stirred, they got the 'look'. With us, he was obedient, but with 'group commands' always with a second glance as if to say, 'Did you really mean me, too?' I really think he believed he occupied a position between the rest of the dogs and Annie & me, the human masters. And actually, I guess he was right, he did. He was the Alpha Dog and he knew it! I can't think of a way to describe this additional point except to say that I believed in Peto. If the chips were down, if push came to shove, I knew, I mean I KNEW, Peto would be there, standing by Annie's or my side to face whatever needed facing. He wasn't aggressive, matter of fact, he was both people and dog friendly. He was very sociable and very good with kids, but there was a 'don't mess with me or my humans' air about him. I trusted Peto and I believed in him. I knew we could count on him! I gotta' tell this story. It happened a few years ago when our grandson Adam, was barely more than a toddler. Adam is all boy, right down to his pug nose. He would stand nose to nose with Peto, which with Peto sitting and Adam standing was just about the same height, and tell Peto to "get outta' my face". Adam wasn't cowed by Peto and Peto found a young human (human puppy) to really relate to. You could see the delight in both faces. One time they were playing in the back yard and Peto actually stuck out his paw and tripped Adam. Then he picked him up by the seat of the pants and was carrying him around the back yard. Adam was kicking and squirming and yelling, 'Put me down, Peto, put me down'. No crying, no fear, just 'put me down'. Again, you could see the delight in Peto's face. When he did put him down, they continued playing together as if nothing happened. Nothing did. it was all part of the play they shared. Click to see PETO's AWARDS Peto Poika. We called him that often. It means 'Peto Boy' in Finnish. We loved him. He was an integral part of our family. Someone once told me that we set ourselves up for this heartbreak by taking these short-lived animals into our hearts and homes. It's true. It really is. But dogs like Peto do make it all worthwhile. We have so many memories like the stories above. Too many to recite here. Those with dogs will understand. Those without will never know the joy. We are thankful for the time we were able to share Peto's life. We still have five, we may get another. They will all share the same kind of love. But each is an individual. There will never be another Peto. On the floor of the Doctor's office, I put Peto in a 'down'. We knelt beside him. I hugged him, while the Vet Tech petted him. We both talked to him. Our Doctor inserted the needle. In his usual stoic way, Peto just watched. I felt his neck tremble slightly and he went limp. The Doctor checked his heart and it had stopped. They left me alone with him for a few minutes. I laid on my side as tears found the corners of my eyes. I petted him while I watched his face. In theory he was already dead. But his eyes remained open and seemed to lock with mine. I decided to keep looking at him and petting him. I stuck my knuckle in his ear and rubbed the way he loved. I don't know if his brain remained alive for at least some of those few minutes. If it did, then the last thing he saw was the love in my face for him. I hope it keeps him for his trip to the Rainbow Bridge where he will meet his friend Kessu and his predecessor Windy. They will be waiting for the rest of us to join them. In time we'll all be there. We're gonna be a large group! When it was time to leave I rubbed his head and told him the finest compliment a dog can receive. Simple and from my heart. I said softly, "So long, Peto. You were a good dog."Thus ends the Peto era. Background Music was Jumpin Jack Flash for Jumpin' Flash Peto. Counter for this page only. visitors since Peto's death on 5 Feb. 2001He had over 1000 hits between Nov 20, 1997 and Feb 5, 2001 Main Site counter on Home Page Thank you, Sandi A Story For Our TimeA Tale of Courage and Grit ~ With a Twist A Rousing AdventureAvailable Now! Photos by Annie Photo editing by Charlie Paw Print Graphic from: Lissa Jane's Dogicons PAGE DESIGNED BY PAX COMM This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page Last Update: 10/19/03 Web Author: Charlie Joseph Copyright ©2003 by Patuxent Communications - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This Was PETO! Peto was the Alpha Male. His problem was that he knew it. He was independent and aloof. We sometimes called him "Mr. Cool". Although he accepted pets and hugs, he would cut it off as soon as one of the other dogs came into the room. I guess he thought he had an image to maintain.
Despite this, he had a soft heart for puppies. Oh, he rolled them, to remind them who he was, but gently. He was a kind, big brother to every puppy that joined our (his) pack. Peto and Susi, at ages 12 mos. and 2 mos. for example.
Peto was taller and more slender than most male GSDs, although he definitely had the masculine characteristic 'blockhead'. He did not run or leap with pounding paws. Rather, he glided with grace and ease like a gazelle. We don't have a picture that truly shows it, but this one comes close. He often used his speed to outrun the other dogs, running 3/4 speed sideways and heckling them as they pounded after him. He was FAST!
Even at only 6 mos., Peto's almost regal bearing was evident. He would sit or lay with his head held high, exuding confidence. Not aggression or animosity, just plain simple confidence. He was loyal, courageous and stouthearted and proved it more than once. He was also a loner. He would play with the other dogs, but always on his terms. He especially liked to play 'macho' with Jassu.
While Peto did reasonably well in SAR training, his aloofness and independence were often a hindrance. He did, however, love Personal Protection training. His body posture, tail position and bark were dead give-aways to just how much he enjoyed it. Despite Peto's Show Class ancestry, he came very close to matching the capabilities of the Working Class GSD.
(Update about 2 1/2 years ago). I tried to think of new ways to describe him. All I could think of adding at that time was that I admired him. I admired and respected Peto. In all my military years and civilian management positions, I remember the saying, 'Lead as if you EXPECT to be followed. Command as if you EXPECT to be obeyed'. That was Peto! The other dogs didn't start any rough-housing with him, if it happened, he initiated it. But always playful, he was never aggressive nor bullied them. When he walked by, none of them got up to challenge or even make a sound at him. They just respectfully watched. On the few occasions one did stir as he went by, one look from him and the offender settled back down. He didn't take a circuitous route around them if he was going from point A to point B, he just went where he wanted. If they stirred, they got the 'look'. With us, he was obedient, but with 'group commands' always with a second glance as if to say, 'Did you really mean me, too?' I really think he believed he occupied a position between the rest of the dogs and Annie & me, the human masters. And actually, I guess he was right, he did. He was the Alpha Dog and he knew it! I can't think of a way to describe this additional point except to say that I believed in Peto. If the chips were down, if push came to shove, I knew, I mean I KNEW, Peto would be there, standing by Annie's or my side to face whatever needed facing. He wasn't aggressive, matter of fact, he was both people and dog friendly. He was very sociable and very good with kids, but there was a 'don't mess with me or my humans' air about him. I trusted Peto and I believed in him. I knew we could count on him! I gotta' tell this story. It happened a few years ago when our grandson Adam, was barely more than a toddler. Adam is all boy, right down to his pug nose. He would stand nose to nose with Peto, which with Peto sitting and Adam standing was just about the same height, and tell Peto to "get outta' my face". Adam wasn't cowed by Peto and Peto found a young human (human puppy) to really relate to. You could see the delight in both faces. One time they were playing in the back yard and Peto actually stuck out his paw and tripped Adam. Then he picked him up by the seat of the pants and was carrying him around the back yard. Adam was kicking and squirming and yelling, 'Put me down, Peto, put me down'. No crying, no fear, just 'put me down'. Again, you could see the delight in Peto's face. When he did put him down, they continued playing together as if nothing happened. Nothing did. it was all part of the play they shared.
Click to see PETO's AWARDS
Background Music was Jumpin Jack Flash for Jumpin' Flash Peto.
Thank you, Sandi
Photos by Annie Photo editing by Charlie Paw Print Graphic from: Lissa Jane's Dogicons
PAGE DESIGNED BY PAX COMM