Year 2010 Tributes

For pet names beginning with "G".

Gage left us in july of 09. It's a year later and I still think of him everyday. He was my best friend.

Gambler , you left me today and I am so sad without you . I know that you are now not in any pain and will not have to take anymore meds and eat special foods ...When you crossed that Rainbow Bridge this afternoon , I believe you were met by Buddy , Patience , TC , OC and Rhody . I hope that all of you are having a wonderful time , just running around with no cares . I will look for you when I leave this earth . I love you , Gambler

Little Ge Ge....My boxer granddog....Gammie misses you so much.Your sister Soda dosen"t understand why you are not at home beside her, and your cousin Muffin knows something is not right. I thought I was a tough old bird so full of experience with life.....that is until the day God called your name and took you home with him. Although I prayed so hard the night before your death for Him to take you, and end your life of pain from cancer, and knew in my heart I would not see you the next day, the reality of loosing you, my Ge Ge broke gammies heart. I miss you soooooo, sooooo much. But I know you are happy and healed running through the field of bright colored poppies that gammie knows is there in heaven!

Gammie will never forget you, not ever.............

MY BEST FRIEND & COMPANION!
I MISS YOU "GEM".
"MOMMY LOVES"

Such a gorgeous baby girl that came into my life more than 17 years ago. So playful, sweet, elegant, and loving, it was an honor, a privilege, and a joy to have you in my life for such a long time. Your absence is a pain so deep I cannot describe it, and I will love you with all of my heart forever. Rest in peace, my beautiful angel, Genny.

My beloved George.7/13/1998-4/22/2010  
You gave me 11years9months of pure happiness. You were so gentle, loving, funny. You never hurt anyone and always accepted people into your heart. I love you George,you were a good boy.I will miss your endless kisses, hugs. You will forever live in my heart.  
Till we meet again. I know you are at peace, happy and free from pain.
Love Mommy Debbie

gertie,

i wrote these notes to you on your last day. and even with all the stuff happening around you, I know you got them. i'll continue to write to you, but it's getting harder and harder. at any rate, you're in my thoughts always.

love always,

rufino

12/20/2010 2:46 pm

gertie,

it's 2:01 pm. we haven't heard back from the vets on whether it'll be okay to transfer you to SF VS. gertie, i'm not ready to say goodbye to you. we'll all unravel if you leave. you're what's holding the pack together. howie already knows somethings wrong. if you leave, howie will be all alone. he can't turn to melvin or fern. he needs you. i need you. martin needs you.

for the longest time, you've been like a shadow to me. i have a connection to you, but i don't see you. i only feel you. i know when you're around, what joy you bring to the others, but i can't seem to connect to you at a deeper level. it's like you know your only role is to be a binding force between us, since you're the middle child.

but that shouldn't be the case. you're a dog. you like to run around, you have personal favorites (martin and howie), you have quirks. you're real; you're not a force.

so, don't act like it's okay for you to be gone, because your presence will still be among us and continue to bind us. that's just a fantasy. i need you physically here. i need you playing with howie and melvin, and fighting with fern. i need you sleeping with martin at nite, and occasionally napping with me (that's okay, you can be selective; melvin is). i remember the last time we napped - saturday afternoon; it was you, me and melvin (who was sandwiched between us). he was so happy to feel two warm bodies on either side of him. his eyes were tightly shut. yours were half-open; the way they usually are. it's as if you didn't want a single thing in life to pass you bye. please be that way now; there is still so much out there that you can enjoy. there are so many other parts of san francisco we can explore together as a pack.

gertie, i love you. i know it feels sometimes that you're at the bottom of the list, but that's only because you don't love me in the same way. you treat us all equally, which i don't often like. i want you to feel like i'm your number one, the way melvin makes me feel. gertie, please stay with us and i'll try harder to be YOUR NUMBER ONE.

12/21/2010 9:30 am

Gertie, i caught your eye at 4:15pm yesterday. i was sure you had revived after they evacuated your lungs. your eyes had cleared up, but you were staring blankly into space. your tongue was hanging out of your mouth like it was an inconvenience rather than instrument of pleasure (you were always such a foodie). so we thought you were gone, you had given up. we authorized the euthanasia. i kissed you behind your ear, inhaled deeply. i wanted to remember your smell, but it's getting harder now to even remember the details of your face, let alone your scent. i remember the soft downy hair of your ear on my lips, but soon i'll forget that as well. i closed my eyes, kissed you several times, and tried to breathe you all in.

as the lethal injection took effect, i saw your chest rise less and less until you were gone. then the vet petted you on the head; but i didn't want him to be the last one to touch you, so i petted you as well. that's when i caught your eye. you looked right at me. you should've been dead and still staring straight, blankly into space. but your eye turned slightly right towards me. maybe the act of petting physically pushed the eye to turn right, but you looked directly at me. you had this expression of "i know something's up". it startled me. gave me hope. but i knew it couldn't be true because the poison was already running through your veins.

then when we got home at 530pm, i found your dog tag in my pocket. i put it on the kitchen table. martin took the two boys out for a walk. i walked with fern to the other room so that my mom wouldn't see me grieving. as we were sitting on the floor, i heard the tinkling of a collar. it was coming from two directions, so i thought martin had returned with the boys. but it sounded like your collar, since only you wore it loosely. i ran to see who it was, but there was no one there. it was 5:42pm. you came home from the hospital after all, checked up on us one last time, before continuing on your journey.

gertie, we will miss you. that's what you did for us, checked up on us to make sure the whole family was okay. even when we weren't acting like a family, you made sure we were all connected. if martin and i were in separate rooms, you'd go back and forth between rooms to keep us both company. you made sure to play with both melvin and howie, because you knew the two didn't get along and don't play together without eventually fighting. you even bossed fern around just to keep her in line, otherwise she would've had free reign of the house.

gertie, it's so hard to be in the house. little things are constantly reminding me of you -- the extra leash; the torn up orange tennis ball. when i leave the house, i see reminders of you everywhere -- the places you liked to sniff or pee. melvin and howie still look around for you in those spots; we all think you'll show up at any moment. and when i log onto the computer, i think of you as well. i found the email address we had setup when we first got you, just in case you were lost. i sent you a goodbye email just now. i don't think we've ever checked that inbox, ever. and i don't want to check it now.

we were so ready to say goodbye to fern; she's had so many health problems but we'd given her an excellent life. but we were not ready to say goodbye to you. you left us at 3 years 4 months. even then, you only started your journey with us at 7 months, so we can't even really say that you'd been with us a full 3 years.

i think you were happy with us. we don't want to let you go. and in some ways, you don't want to let us go either (howie and melvin keep looking back over their shoulder as we walk in the morning). gertie, you are a great dog. i'm so afraid of forgetting you; 3 years is not enough to build a lifetime of memories. but i can't grieve forever, gertie. neither can you. you don't have to hang around to protect us; we'll be okay. so, i'm saying "hello, gertie" in that way i always greet you -- "haluuuuu gertieeeeeeeeee"). but, i'm also saying goodbye. we'll meet again. trust me on that. and wait for me until then.

My little woolly lambkin passed from this world at 10:45am Oct, 16, 2010. He died in my arms with family and his favorite doctor by his side. His arthritis robbed him of the ability to walk, and although we are hurting from the loss, he was hurting more. We will never forget his gentle nature, and his love of the outdoors - especially watching the birds from his rock garden. Giacomo's Garden will never be the same but we know he is not in pain now. Giacomo didn't realize he was a Persian; he loved to get dirty in the yard and pal around with his brothers Inky and Leo. He even went to their rescue when the neighbor cat, Smokey Joe, crossed our fence to pick a fight. He was a joy and we will miss him dearly.

Giddy, aka Mister Kitty, was a joy to everyone he met. He loved all humans, dogs and cats. Giddeon loved to be in the middle of all the action. He ate his meals on the kitchen table...just like the just of us. He was extremely protective of his sister, Aimee. She was the shy one of the litter. While he was very out-going and friendly. Their pregnant mom was dumped at the door steps of a cat shelter in NJ. The owners knew we were looking for 2 cats. They picked out these special two just for us. They joined the house on July 1, 1997. Giddeon was diagnosed with a couple of tumors two months ago and he was a trooper to the end. He unexpectedly passed away in my arms. I think he was just waiting for me to come home. Once I did, I scooped him up as always. Then, he had a moan and was gone. He'll always be our giddy kitty. There will always be a special place in my heart for my baby.

Gigi,

Friends enter and leave our lives, but the impressions they make on our hearts stay with us forever.

You were my best friend and companion for almost 16.5 years and we grew old together, and now I find myself alone and missing you!

I will never forget you, I miss your wagging tail and your sweet little face.

Love,
Dad

My dear dear friend,  
You are the 18th. dog that I've had. You have been with me the last 11 years and I can't even describe how much you gave to me in what seems like a much too short life. I'm still grieving, but at least I know that you will be waiting for daddy at the Rainbow Bridge when it's my time. You will be the ONE waiting, for you were that most special of friends and companions - just the two of us, every day for 11 years. Your unconditional love, no matter my mood, gave me a lift every day. I've never experienced a feeling like this in my entire life. The empty house and yard is almost unbearable. I speak to you in our special language every day as if you were still here and yet I feel you are still here. I still step over you when you do block/block when daddy walks down the now long empty hallway. The hardest thing I ever did was put you to sleep, but I knew from the look in the vets eye that it was the best for you. I don't think that I ever was that unselfish in my whole life. Play hard, eat well and daddy will see you soon.

Ginger was a good, loyal, friend who loved me unconditionally for 16 years. She was very sick and it broke my heart to let her go. I hope she is in a better place with lots of love and other cat friends to play with. I loved her very much and miss her terribly. She comforted me when no one else was there. Good Bye MY LOVE
June

Ginger our "Big Girl". You will be so terribly missed. We had to put you down in order to save you from a horrible death. We will never forget the camping trips, the swims in the creek or the river. You were truly a blessing in our lives. Thank you for enriching our lives. Now you can go on to run and play with your mate Pokey that you have been missing so long. We will get by and we will see you, but not for a long time.

My sweet Ginny,
Mommy and Daddy loved you so very much. You were a beautiful part of our lives for 14 years and made us so happy. We know you are at peace and resting in God's eternal Animal Kingdom with all the other beloved pets. I will see you in every sunrise and in every sunset and in the rustle of the breeze and in every snowflake that you loved. You loved your home and your family so very much. You were a great sister to Baylee even if it was only for a short time. We are so proud of your strength and courage to battle your illnesses as long as you did. No greater love can equal the spirtual comfort that you gave us on this earth. We will always love you for an eternity and know someday our sweet girl will see us again. You wait for us and we will all be together again gloriously reunited.
All our love forever and always,
Your Mommy & Pappy and sister Baylee Rae
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Dear mom and Abby,
I know that it must be different, now that I am no longer there.
I realize how much I was loved and how all of you did care.
I know it will be hard at first when you look around for me.
Expecting to find me in my bed or beside my favorite tree.
Someday you will begin to see although it'll take some time,
the happy times you shared with me,
the memories are yours and mine.
I'll remember you, my friends, and how much you meant to me.
So please don't grieve and don't be sad,
it was just my time to leave.
All my love,
Gizmo

My Gizmo was tragically taken away from us far too soon. Although we only had him for a short while, his love and affection are still with us. An innocent little yorkiepoo pup, he ran into the neighor's yard and was attacked by their German Sheppard, killing him. I Unfortunately had to watch this as I yelled in vain for my poor Gizmo to come home. He taught us all the meaning of unconditional love. His fun-loving, caring, affectionate personality quickly made our bad days good. He gave us his uncondtional love, and we gave him our hearts. I thank God for the time we had together. I will always love him, I will mourn his loss everyday, and know he is looking down on us, surrounded by angels. Gary, Tess, Matthew, and Tiffany

Gizmo came to my life when my 17 year old Black Lab was ill and dying. I wasn't going to get another dog for a long while and then there he was. A 10 week old a buff Cocker Spaniel puppy a friend had set on the middle of my desk. He was the runt of the litter and needed a home. I took one look at him and fell in love. He was faithful, sensitive, high strung and pranced when he walked. He was there for all 4 of my grandsons as they were born and growing. He never left my side and was always happy to be with me. He gave me more than he will ever know and having to help him pass away with dignity was the hardest thing I have ever done because selfishly, I wanted him to be with me until I die. I hope and pray that he knew how very much he was loved and how there will never be a day that goes by when I don't think of him. Truly God sent him as a guardian Angel. I love you Gizmo now and always.

GIZMO WAS MY BEST FRIEND, THERE WILL NOT BE A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I WONT'T MISS HER DEARLY. LIFE AS I KNEW IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITH OUT MY PRECIOUS GIZMO. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE SHE GAVE. I KNOW SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE AND NO LONGER SICK. I HOPE SHE THINKS OF ME OFTEN. SHE IS WITH HER BROTHER BOO BOO NOW WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2007. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM BOTH AGAIN IN HEAVEN.

Kim V

   To our Beloved Gizmo, You brought immeasurable joy to our family for the past 13 years old. When you became ill and lost your sight it was a privledge for me to care for you. It was my small way of showing my gratitude to you for being my best friend. As the spark in your light became dimmer, your love and your loyalty for your family never waivered. You were a brave little guy and tried so hard not to complain, even as you wimpered and began to waste away. How selfish would we be not to allow you to leave us with dignity? It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we bid you farewell. I thank God for allowing me the strength to be with you to the very end. It was only His strength and peace that permitted this. And with that very same Faith I am assured that one day we shall be together again. Until that day comes you will remain with us always in spirit. Thank-you again litttle boy.

   xoxo Mommy,
      Gina, Daddy, Nicholas

Gizmo - I miss you. What a special pet you were and so sorry that you had to go. Your buddy, Greg, misses you too. We had 17 years together. What wonderful years they were.  
Do you remember the time you got your furry tail singed by a candle while being with Greg at his computer? That was so funny - thank goodness you didn't get hurt. We will always remember the way you would "meow" - you just couldn't say meow. It also came out as "ow, ow." Pugsie misses you also. Remember how he always waited to finish your soft cat food that you didn't eat.
You will always have a special place in my heart and now that you are at Rainbow Bridge you will see Christopher. Tell him I said "Hi." You have fun running and playing with Chris.Take care of yourself.  
Love and miss you - Mom

Gizmo was my role model for a true friend. Many many thanks to our "little man" with the big heart. Gizmo, you will never be out of my thoughts and will always be in my heart. Thank you Gizmo, for all that you gave, to all that you met. With all our love.
See you at the Rainbow Bridge my very special friend.

Thank you Gordon for the joy you brought to us these last 10 years. Today was very hard for all us but we know that you're happy again and not sick and in pain.

Junior, Mookie and Rosie are happy to see you today Gordon and we're filled with joy knowing that some day you and our friends will be there to greet us.

Doug Pace

To my Grace, my soul mate, my Gracilynn, and love of all times,
I can remember our first time together and know that it was meant to be that you were mine. We had the best life together, I will always remember your kitty kisses, especially in bed, and miss thoseso much. Your purrs, I still can hear them in my ear. I am so sorry you were sick and I didn't see it. I am grateful that I got to be with you at the end, even though it was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I am sorry that your last day on earth was a night spend alone in the clinic, without me. I wasn't given a choice on that, and I hate that in the morning when I went to send you to the bridge, that you were there crying. I would have given anything to be there that night, or for you to be at home with me. But the hardest thing I had to do is to hold you in my arms and watch you go,..I know it was the right thing to do, and wish alot of humans could do that too. But to see your little face just go away, I will remember it always. I love you so much, and will never find a love like ours ever again. But I can hope, I can hope that your soul will find me again, just as I told you so many times and then again when you died in my arms. WE will be together again. I await that day,and can only live until then. My life is so empty without you. I love you.

Goodbye my Gracielyn, I love you like nothing else. You are my kitty soulmate, and will always be that. My life is so empty now without you. I am sorry that I didn't see that you were suffering so much, but I"m glad you are are without it now. We will meet again I know. I love you now and forever.

Greta, I just can't believe that you're not here with me sitting on my lap. I can never forget your companionship, your disposition, your 'bring-em on' or diva-like personality. Nothing daunted or intimidated you. Even when a neighbor's dog picked you up by the back (I was so afraid) - the next time you saw that dog, you were just as feisty as ever. I remember when you didn't graduate from your first basic dog-trainig class, the instructor's words were 'she thinks the world revolves around her'. Well he was correct Greta - the world did revolve around you. You taught me your signals - you pawed the cabinet or your food dish when it was time for your dinner. You pawed your water bowl when it was empty and you were thirsty. And you trained me well - you just didn't train me not to miss you. Greta you were so charming and faithful - you also gained in beauty as you aged...I have all of my pug statues and pillows - you looked exactly like the beautiful pugs in those paintings. I wanted so badly for you to move to a new house in New England with us. We are going to miss you so much. But wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

Our very special baby got really sick and went to doggie heaven this afternoon. We will never forget the sweetest girl on earth, always our first child.

December 22, 1995 was the day our Gretchen was born. Our wonderful story began when we saw an ad in the newspaper for Miniature Schnauzers, we already had a Kerry Blue Terrier named Dugan.Well, Dugan needed a sister, a companion to keep him company when we were not home.It was February when we called the number from the ad, the woman on the phone said she had a female schnauzer that needed a good home, that was just what we wanted, a little sister for Dugan.When we went to the woman's house we were in the kitchen, two little eight week old schnauzers were romping around on the floor, one male one female.They were so tiny, we've never seen a schnauzer puppy, well at least not an eight week old, so we were surprised when the woman showed us the female that was going home with us.We told the woman that her brother ia a year and a half old and bigger,I made a comment
what happens if he thinks she's a toy and tries to chew her? we all laughed and she said, I'm sure that won't happen.Her name was already picked out for her before we even saw her, the name, Gretchen.After all that was said and done, off for home we went, this little, confused and not knowing where she was going, sat on my lap wrapped in a blanket cause it was cold out all the way to her new home and big brother, who he also had no idea what was going on either.
We pulled up to the house, opened the door and while still holding Gretchen in the blanket,Dugan stood there looking at us like o.k. what did you do and what's in that blanket? It was night time at this point, we went in the den and had Dugan sit and wait until we put Gretchen on the floor next to him.He sat there waiting and when he saw this little thing next to him, to our surprise, he didn't know what to do.He looked at her and sniffed her and when she moved, he was like o.k. what is this little thing.We told him that this is his new sister Gretchen.Dugan was huge compared to her and it was the sweetest site to see a big brother and a little sister, we knew they would be the best brother and sister and now our family was complete.
Gretchen's first vet visit went well, she was healthy and weighed five pounds.As time went on, the family all got to meet her, they thought she was so adorable, cute and tiny.When we took pictures of both dogs it was funny to see Dugan so tall sitting next to Gretchen, most of the time we tried having him lay down next to her.
Some of the funniest memories were when Dugan would be on the couch and Gretchy couldn't jump on the couch yet, he felt good about that until one day, yes, she did it, she jumped on the couch.Dugan was surprised and a little unhappy cause now his safe place from her trying to bite him was gone.He got over it and went to find other safe places. Gretchy loved her big brother and always wanted to be around him,like a real brother and sister.He would play tug-o-war with the toys or try and take them away from her and she would try to take them from him.We had so much fun playing with her, we would move her stubby little tail around pretending to be winding her up and then let her go, she would run around on the floor,that was funny.
The years went by and many vacations were gone on with both dogs. Gretchen was known as "yappy" cause she barked and yapped at everything.Everyone enjoyed her and she liked everyone.
When her brother Dugan passed away on October 23, 2008,we were worried that she would be lonely without him.She was very close to him and for awhile she looked around for him and wondered where he was.We knew that she really didn't understand what we were telling her that he's at the Rainbow Bridge, like doggie heaven but better cause he's no longer sick,he's happy and healthy again.Time went on and all the love that was shown to her made her happy and her life went on.
Gretchen was getting up in age now and she started to have health problems, some were treatable and others, well we weren't so lucky.All the natural medications and other meds that she was on just wasn't doing what we wanted it to do.The vet that she was going to took such good care of her and treated her like she was one of their own.Everything and anything that could be done to try and make her at least comfortable was all that we wanted.You think that maybe something else could of been done, or why didn't we try this, the answer is, when you look back to everything that was done,the precious doggie knows when they are tired and doesn't want to hurt you anymore. Gretchen knew all that was done and appreciated all the love and tender care that was given to her and it was time for her to let her body rest.We never feel it's time, but we can't be selfish either. She was brought to the vet where she knew the woman who helped her over the years and it was painful for her to see Gretchen the way she looked.We spent time talking to Gretchen,telling her about all the memories we shared with her and how she brought love to everyone that knew her.Gretchen was looking at us and in her eyes we could see her saying thank you for everything,I love you but I want to be with Dugan now, I miss him and all my other friends that have passed on.There's so much more to say about our times with her, but what we said seems to cover all the memories good and sad.
Tuesday October 5, 2010 at 6:15 p.m. our little girl was no longer physically with us. Gretchen will be in our hearts forever! All her health problems no longer exist, she's happy, healthy and yapping away with her brother and friends. While standing outside after leaving the vet, we looked up to the sky and there was a flock of geese in a V formation, I said, "look, they're taking Gretchen to the Rainbow Bridge." Our little girl will never be forgotten.
She was not our apple pie, she was not our cherry pie, she was our Gretchy pie. She was also known as Gretchy girl, Gretchy yah yah, Gretchy petchy puddin' in pie and Yappy!

We Love You Very Much
Mom & Dad

I found Gretel at a Doberman Rescue in Columbus, Georgia. The rescue people showed me 10 dogs but Gretel stood out to me as the one I needed and who needed me.

We were told that she was an abused pup and would need extra care. How very right they were. She was afraid if a napkin fell on the floor :-) She was scared of thunder, lightening, fire crackers, any thing that went boom.

One week after getting Gret, I had to go to Texas to pick up my wonderful step daughter, Diana. I figured that would be a good time for my husband, Ken, and Gretel to bond. The second night after I was gone, she ran away. My heart was so broken. I just couldn't believe that that had happened. Ken spent hours and days combing Ft. Benning looking for her. He called all of the local police and animal shelters looking for her. He was so sick!

I was returning to Georgia and Ken called to find out where Diana and I were at the time. We were in Phenix City, just about 30 miles from Ft. Benning. Then he said, "Mozart is in our back yard. Wait!!! No, it's Gretel, she's come home!!!!" He slammed the phone down. I couldn't wait to get home. When Diana and I got there, we saw our poor Gretsky girl, skinny, covered with ticks and fleas and filthy from being out in the wilds for 5 days. What a joy it was to have her home again. We were so thrilled, no words could describe it! Dad and Gretel had a tradition. Every morning, she would come to the kitchen and he always gave her 3 puppy snacks. Either Beggin Strips or some other yummy doggy treat. Another tradition for them was that at night, she would come into bed with us. She always snuggled with him. Especially if there was a bad storm out. BUT, the minute either one of us moved, off the bed she went to her puppy bed, next to us.

We moved in 2001 to Wisconsin, after Ken retired from the Army. Gretel seemed to love it here. She loved the snow, would play in it for the longest time, even though she had such a short coat. I even made her a fleece coat to wear when the temps would get in the low teens and sub-zero's. She didn't like it but she put up with me :-)

Last year, Gret's health seemed to be on the decline. She became incontinent when she was sleeping. That never bothered me. I just got some extra bedding for her and washed her beds several times a day. We had bought some land in the UP of Michigan and put a trailer up there last year. Gretel loved it up there. She would sniff around but never went far from any of us. She loved to run along with us when we were on the tractor. She wasn't very vehicle smart, as she would run in front of it and friend, Kenny, would bump her with the bucket! Knowing that she was on the decline, my husband thought it would be a good idea to get a new puppy. We did, another Doberman, whom we named Dozer. He used to drive her nuts! He would pull on her tail, nip her ears and she took it like a trooper. He taught her so much and she, him. She learned to be more people friendly from Dozer and he learned some manners from her.

Our last trip up to the UP was heart breaking. Gretel could hardly get up the steps that Kenny built for her last year. (She wouldn't even attempt to go up the trailer's regular steps.) I had to help her down them, getting up was a bit easier. The last Friday, Karen saw her jump up in the morning. It was a tradition for Gretel and I to go on a walk in the morning. I always took my coffee and we would go down the trail. When in the past, I didn't move fast enough for her, she'd bark at me, and look down the road and walk a bit toward the trail. I always gave in and went for the walk. Sometimes, I didn't go far, I'd let her get around a bend and then I'd head for home :-) Shortly thereafter, Gret would come looking for me and head for the camp fire. On that last Friday, she wanted to go for her walk. We did but this time, Dozer, our latest addition to the family, went with us. Gret and Dozer went trotting down the trail. I couldn't believe how fast she was going, as she had such a bad time with her hips. But trot she did. She was showing Dozer the ropes. She spent most of the day out of the trailer. When I finally was able to get her to go to the trailer, she just looked at the steps as if to say, "I can't do this any more". I got her in, but from the look in her eyes, she wasn't about to go out again. That night, after I went to bed, I heard Karen, my sister. She was sitting on the floor with Gretel. Gret had been pulling herself across the floor, as she could no longer stand. Karen and I sat there crying for our poor girl. Dozer had his head in Karen's lap, just watching Gretel. I made the decision then that we had to bring her home and help her to cross the Rainbow Bridge. It was a decision that I had already made, as I was going to take her to the vet on the following Tuesday but for Gretel's sake, I couldn't put her through any more so Saturday morning we got up and got ready to go. Gretel never once attempted to leave the trailer that morning. She just stayed on her bed. When it was time to leave, Kenny came and carried her to the car. He took Dozer home in his car and Karen took Gretel and I.

It was a longer than usual trip home to say the least. Gretel was so calm and serene the whole trip. We stopped a few times but she didn't want to get out, so I just gave her water in a cup, which she happily took. During the trip, I would reach back and pet her. She would lick my hand, something that she didn't do very often in the past. I think it was her way of saying "It's OK, I'm ready".

When we got to the Animal Referral Center, it was all I could do to hold it together. I didn't do a good job of it but the staff there was so kind and understanding. Karen took their staff out to the car to get Gretskie. They lifted her bed onto the gurney and then slid the bed out from underneath her. When they brought her in, she was lying so nicely with her head held high. One of the tech's asked Karen if she was sure that we wanted to do this and Karen told them yes, as Gret could no longer get around. They took her back to put the catheter in her leg. They then led Karen and I to the Family room to await Gretel. That was such a long wait, although it was only a couple of minutes. They were so good to us, knowing the grief that we were feeling (I'm crying as I write this, as I can recall all of the details so vividly and Oh God, how I miss my sweet girl!). They brought her in on the gurney and then gently laid her on the floor. They gave us all of the time that we wanted to spend with Gretel before the Dr. came in. When he did come in, he was so sympathetic and gave us his condolences. He warned us that once he administered the drug, the effects would be rapid. I kissed her one last time and held her head while the Dr. gave the meds. It was such a peaceful end for my girl, who although she never complained of pain, was hurting.

Those with whom she came into contact with on a regular basis, she loved dearly. That included my sister, Karen and my husband's best friend, Kenny and our neighbors, Kelly and Todd. All showed Gretel unconditional love and kindness and she returned it to them in kind.

We had this wonderful dog for 11 of her 12+ years and I wouldn't change a day of it for any thing.

I love and miss you my precious girl. You were everything to me and more!

Kenny, Karen, Ken and I have shed many tears of grief for our beloved Gretel. But we all know that she is better where she is and that someday, we will see her again.

Until then Gretel, play like a puppy, love deeply and we will see you in the clouds over that Rainbow Bridge. Be waiting for me big Girl, I can't wait to see you again.

My little Gretel girl....You were such a sweetie, I will miss your silliness and love. You have left a void in my heart. Go and play now and enjoy your new life. I hope you have fun and long walks at the Rainbow Bridge....wait on me Grettie girl....I love you.
Pop

Though you barked quite often and was always under our feet we will truly miss you my little pal, you made us laugh and was so little when we brought you home, you will never be forgotten. You are in our hearts forever.

All I knew was that I had wanted a yellow Lab forever and that day I was going to get one.
We knocked on the door..and seven bundles of energy came running out to us! There was one other, she was the runt, and the only one that looked her age, the others were HUGE for 8 weeks old!
Out of all of those 8 babies..only one walked rather slowly and clumsily towards us. My husband scooped him up and held him the entire time we were there.
Of course, that's the one we picked....you sweet Gunner.
You rode home in my lap like the little gentleman you were and would
forever continue to be.
You were introduced to our little chiwiennie, 'Maggie, when we got home.
Magge loved you on the spot! Which surprised us because until then, she had been such a little devil, no one could pet or play with her.
But Gunner you somehow changed that. I guess she now had a 'buddy'.
That's how we would refer to you at times, as her 'brudder'.
Sadly, at 6 months of age we were told you had hip dysplaxia, a bad case of it at that....so soon! Pain meds started at that young age.
They increased until at age 3 1/2 they were no longer helping you.
Both front 'knees' as I called them, went out on you too.
Towards the end, you could hardly get up...but you tried so very hard!
You know, 3 1/2 years is no time at all to have had you in our lives.
But I would'nt change a thing. I don't think a dog could've loved us more than you did in that short time.
There is'nt a day that goes by that we don't think of you. Maggie misses you terribly. She looks for you all the time.
That day you left us, that sad sad day at the vet's office, even though our hearts were breaking, was the most peaceful and sweet serene things I've ever been witness to.
I held your head and Dad rubbed your shoulders, we both whispered softly to you as you quietly slipped away from us.
You're with Stimpy, Booboo, Cujo, Boots and Missy Lee now.
You are all playing and pain free...that's the best part...no more pain or meds my sweet boy!!
We miss you so much....We just can't imagine you're not here.
It does'nt seem fair..you lived such a short time, while other pet parents I've watched barely give theirs the time of day.
I'd give ANYTHING to just have had you a little bit longer.
But I know you were just on loan from God...all creatures really belong to Him. I'm grateful that He blessed us with you my sweet boy.
We love you Gunner.....soooooooo much! And miss you soooo much!!
Play with your other pet sisters and brothers til we can see you again my baby boy. Rest now.....
All our love to you sweet Gunner,
Mom & Dad...Dan and Brina and Nick

We only had Gus for less than a year. He was a wonderful fun loving dog. He was a Silky Terrier. He was no stranger to danger, and wanted to defend his family. He tried to attack a deer once that was in our front yard. lol. Deer won, but Gus was not hurt. He loved to ride in the car w/ us wherever we went. He loved to hike. He loved to ride on the boat. He slept on our bed every night. He had a sister Faith, who is a Maltipoo. He was hit by a car Sunday. He died quickly, we were all around him when he went on. He is buried in our back yard w/ a big cross as a marker. Gus brought so much joy in our home the little time we had him. Thank you God for allowing us to enjoy Gus, while we did.

Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, thank you for having entrusted us with a loyal pet.  
Thank you for letting him teach us unselfish love.  
Thank you for the memories that we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives.  
Finally, in gratitude, we return our pet to you.  
Amen.

My dear Gwenny babes, a week ago I had to say goodbye and it’s been hard getting used to you not being here. I never realized how much peace and comfort you provided me with. When we were younger you were moms’ dog and you got her through very hard times. When you came to me 5 years ago for me to take care of I needed you the most. You were always there for me. Through high school and the years after I needed you more then I knew. You were always there and I could count on you. You got me through the hardest times in my life. At Christmas time 4 years ago when I accidently left the door open and you left I thought I had lost you, but thankfully someone took you to the pound where I found you two days later. I remember walking in and hearing you whine. You had the most distinct sound and I always could hear you when I would pick you up from boarding or anywhere. But that day at the pound I walked in and could her you, I ran up and down the aisles and found you, the look you gave me was priceless, and it was like you knew I was coming. As you got older I did everything I could to make you happy. I’m so happy that you were able to meet Shawn and see me with someone that is good to me. I knew you liked him and were thankful he was here. He misses you too and I know you touched his heart as well. I’m so sorry that you got sick and we couldn’t do anything to make you better. I know you were so tired and weak from not eating. The last few days I spent with you I’m thankful for, I didn’t sleep if you weren’t. I’m so glad I was able to be with you and take care of you. I know you heard everything I said to you and that you knew it was time for you to go. You went so peacefully and calmly. I believe you are happy now and able to run like you used to. I hope you found some other friends that have passed. I love you very much, and I have your ashes and I feel like you are still there looking out for us. Thank you for all the love and friendship you gave. We love you very much and miss you, you can never be replaced and I will always have your paw print on my heart. I love you and hope I will see you again.

You came into my life from a “free to a good home” ad. You weren’t what I expected, but I soon fell in love with you. You were such a good dog. Always there waiting for me with a wagging tail. You always made me laugh-with your big ears pointing up at attention at all times. I knew you could hear everything and understood what I said to you. You were always there to listen when I needed an ear. I gave you the name Gyzmo because you looked just like the friendly little gremlin. You slept under the covers and loved to play. You loved going to the dog park and walking around and marking everything. For 12 years you were healthy and vibrant.

Then in November 2007, I got the devastating news that you had oral melanoma cancer. They said there was nothing I could do for you and that you only had 3 months to live. I refused to listen to the vet and took you to Gulf Coast Vet to see what could be done to save your life. We decided to do radiation to shrink the tumor (which worked) and then gave you the oral melanoma vaccine. You did so well for 2 years. I was so thrilled to have that time with you-time that I was told I would never have.

Then in September 2009, your first seizure occurred. It was so scary to helplessly watch you in that condition, but again, I was not giving up yet. We got you on medicine to control the seizures for the time being. I was so relieved the medicine was working and I still had you by my side. We struggled with several break through seizures, but I would do anything to save you as long as you weren’t in pain.

At 2:00 a.m. on December 3rd my worst nightmare came true. You had a seizure that would not stop. I rushed you to the emergency vet trying to save you one last time. When I picked you up in the morning, your seizure had stopped but the facial tick/seizure continued. I was mortified. I knew in my heart this was the end but I wasn’t ready to let you go yet. Dr. Stanley took over your care that morning. You had another seizure later that morning which they could not get under control. When I got the devastating news, I knew the only kind thing I could do for you was to let you go.

I made the appointment for 4:30 that afternoon. They brought you into the room and I could see that you were not yourself. You were not the dog that I knew for 14 years. I could see in your eyes that it was time. You got very anxious and uncomfortable within the few minutes you were in my arms. It broke my heart. I spent some time with you telling you how much I loved you and how sorry I was and how I would never forget you. When the medicine was given to send you across the bridge, you screamed out, but in a few minutes you were finally at peace. No more pain, no more seizures. I spent time with you after you were gone, loving on you and missing you already. I gave you tons of kisses and hugs. I continued to tell you how much I loved you. I wanted you to know that I was still there for you like I always had been. I know you are in a better place and you are happy and not in anymore pain. You crossed the bridge on December 3, 2009. I will never forget you. You were the best big eared dog. I love you so much and have cried for you often. You were buried in a beautiful pet cemetery on December 13, 2009. We said 2 beautiful poems and I said good-bye. Sleep peaceful. I love you Roonie!!! You will NEVER be forgotten.

Love Mommy (Carrie)