Thank you very much for the opportunity to share our story with Nero. I dreamed of having a shepherd dog since childhood, but I was only able to make my dream come true at 30.

When I finally decided, I started looking for a puppy. I wanted a black shepherd specifically. For about six months, I looked at different options, but nothing felt right. And then, on May 1, I saw Nero’s father, Thor. He was a very beautiful dog, graceful and majestic. And I felt: this is it. I immediately called the owner to reserve a puppy.

Two weeks later, I went to see the little ones. My boy was one of three puppies who showed the most interest and attention toward me. Plus, the owner allowed me to hold him. I really wanted to hold him, but I was afraid because he was still very small. But he sat very calmly, even fell asleep.

At 1.5 months, I came to take him home. When I approached the pen, one of the puppies rushed to me, stood on his hind legs, and wagged his tail so joyfully. I first asked which one was mine, and the owner said, “Look for the white spot on his left paw.” I didn’t see it right away. That was my little one. He remembered me and greeted me so happily, as if he knew I had come to take him home. I even asked for a little piece of blanket with his mother’s scent so he wouldn’t be sad at home. But when I brought him to the apartment, he immediately acted as if it was already his home.

Nero grew up very active, cheerful, and full of life. He was always the center of attention. I always felt his motto in life was: “I don’t know what’s happening here, but I have to lead it!” My boy was never afraid of anything; everything was interesting to him. People always noticed him, and he received many compliments.

He was very talkative and had an opinion about everything. I even called him “grumpy grandpa” because he would always answer back or grumble if I didn’t allow him to do what he wanted.

We decided to leave the city for a small town. There is no veterinary clinic here, and the nearest one is an hour away. So when he became sick and his belly started to swell, I called a friend and asked them to take us to the clinic. He received first aid, tests, and an ultrasound were done, and an enema was given to release the gas.

They prescribed treatment (the tests showed elevated liver levels and a viral infection, but they said it wasn’t serious), and we went home. I saw he felt better and was very happy. But a few hours later, his belly started swelling again, and we could no longer get to the clinic because the taxi either didn’t come or didn’t want to take a dog. At six in the morning, my little one was gone… He didn’t reach even 7 years and 4 months…

For me, Nero was not just a dog. He was my best friend, my dog-child, and I don’t even know how to put it into words. We had difficult periods because he had a very strong and independent character… But all I felt when I looked at him was love and gratitude that he simply existed, here, next to me. I adored everything about him, even when his behavior was not perfect.

If I could go back, I would choose him again. Although my mother always said that it wasn’t I who chose him, but he who chose me. And I always felt he was mine, as if created just for me.

This is a very, very heavy loss… I never thought he would leave so early…

Once again, thank you so much, Spogad, for your quality service and for helping us preserve his memory!

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