Asta...
What kind of a dog was Asta? He was absolutely ADORABLE!
shareHe was a coward.
"A "wire-hair terrier". His appearance on the the Thin Man series in the thirties created a huge interest in the breed which led to over breeding."
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He was a coward.
Damn it. I was eating and almost choked to death.
Best laugh I've had in weeks. Thanks!
Anyone caught not singing gets a bottle of Fosters lobbed at their heads. share
AMEN! I about wet myself when I read that one, LMAO
It is good to be open-minded, but not so much so that your brains fall out!
Asta was no coward, but he was a wire-hair terrier.
In 1938 his trainer, Frank Weatherwax ("Old Yeller"), took Asta to England on the Queen Mary to England for a movie. Television was experimental, but on that trip Asta became the first dog ever to appear on television.
Asta was also the center of a scandal. Helen Keller was on the ship with them and was using a seeing eye dog. When they arrived, Helen Keller's dog was put in qurantine as the law required, but Asta was allowed to go directly to the studio. This created an uproar with the press. However, it was later made clear that there was a prior agreement allowing Asta to spend his quarantine period at the studio.
Richard Weatherwax
To be precise, Asta was a wire-haired fox terrier. I should know as I paid a fortune for mine. He's 12 now and has been a great part of the family. And his name? Asta of course.
shareI now have my second wire-haired fox terrier named Loki. I got my first when I was 8. My parents got her for me and cause she looked liked Asta and my father loved The Thin Man series we named her Asta. She was a great dog but sadly had to put her down 6 years ago when she was 11. Loki is very much like Nick and Nora's Asta devilish, sneaky, and head strong but hes not afraid of anything.
shareMy parents got our first wire-haired fox terrier when I was 8 years old, and named him Terry! They were inspired as well by the Thin Man films and loved Asta,now fast forward to the present and my family has their 3rd wire-haired fox terrier named Trixie! - before that came Daisy, but both Trixie and Daisy have since passed away, and both had to be put to sleep. truth be told, they are tough dogs and fought to live on until the end, and Trixie is nto afriad of anything, she had even killed a rattlesnake when it was striking at her!
shareWhat is the origin of the name Asta?
shareGood question. Don't know if an answer is possible.
sharehttp://www.astaweb.com/
"Life is full of censorship. I can't spit in your eye." - Katharine Hepburn
If she is not afraid of anything, then she is nothing like Asta
share"If she is not afraid of anything, then she is nothing like Asta"
Umm, did I say she was anything like Asta?????, no I didn't think so,now go grab a nice cup of shut the *beep* up jackass and read a little slower next time please before you pop off at the mouth again like that.
"If she is not afraid of anything, then she is nothing like Asta"
"Umm, did I say she was anything like Asta?????, no I didn't think so,now go grab a nice cup of shut the *beep* up jackass and read a little slower next time please before you pop off at the mouth again like that."
Uh...over-react much?
Well our Asta is now 14 and a half and I think he won't make it to 15. He's really gone downhill in the last few months and it's heart-breaking to see. But I take comfort in the knowledge that he has had a very happy life. My son wants us to get another wire fox terrier and name him Asta, but I think a new name is in order. I will miss having an Asta in the family. Maybe my son's idea isn't so bad?
shareUnfortunately things have gone faster than we anticipated and we arrived home after visiting relatives over the holidays to find that Asta's age and lack or coordination had left him in a position where he couldn't move. We came home and he was literally stuck on the tile unable to stand. It's sad to say as he's right here next to me now, but tonight is his last. As he has deteriorated so much in the last few months and can no longer move about without assistance, it's time to end his suffering. My wife will take him to the vet tomorrow for the last time. He's been an integral part of our lives since 1993 and it's difficult to imagine our life without him, but, as I said we take comfort in knowing that he has had a very happy life and was loved. Sorry if this is too sentimental, but we've loved this animal for nearly 15 years. And he's looking at me now as if he's saying, "What's wrong? Why don't you just fix me so we can get back to life as usual?" My 9-year-old son is having a hard time with this, but I think it's an important life lesson. He wants another terrier and I think I do too. I just can't see naming him Asta. But...I'm easily swayed by my childrens' wishes.
shareWell, we got another terrier, but not a wire fox. We opted for a schnauzer. While that doesn't jibe with the films, the original Asta in the Hammett book was a schnauzer, so that counts for something.
The name is Bailey, but he was a rescue dog, so the name came with him. He's a handful as all terriers are, but we love him. Interesting to note that our neighbors always admired our dogs in years past. So, they purchased a wire hair fox terrier. I love seeing him romp around their yard. I will have another Asta some day.
Popping this thread up after the years. Our schnauzer is happy and healthy with a westie to keep him company. The neighbor's wire fox terrier is still a constant reminder of our Asta and I will have another some day.
I finally saw "Bringing Up Baby' on TCM recently. Asta/George was a delight. When the film came on, it was in the background. I had forgotten about the pooch. But when the barking started, I recognized it immediately. Great film. I had read that it was a major influence for Bogdanovich's "What's Up Doc" but had no idea it borrowed from it so heavily. A treat. "What's Up Doc" is a favorite from way back.
I have had wire fox terriers all my life. My fifth, Sophie, is now twelve years old. Each one has been unique and all have been marvelous dogs, full of fun, courageous and intensely loyal. IMHO they are the best dogs you can find. They are forever trying to outsmart you and I am convinced that they all have a highly developed sense of humor and if you can live up to their high standards they may in time honor you by treating you as an equal. Needless to say I'm nuts about them.:)
shareWell my old Asta (approaching 14 this May) can still romp like a puppy when he wants to.
Good to hear the definition of the name.
He was also in one of my favorite movies, Bringing Up Baby. He was George in that one! SOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!
I need a new signature...
I loved Asta as George in Bringing Up Baby--god, he was obnoxious!
shareI didnt know Asta was in Bringing up Baby! Man that dog could act! He is so adorable in The Thin Man films and I just cant imagine the films without him. There is an episode of Poirot with David Suchet where a wire hair fox terrier the image of Asta solves the whole murder mystery - clever dog!
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Fascinating post, but I honestly feel I should point out one thing: opossums are not rodents; they are marsupials.
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