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Gus is gone

Thanks, guys, for all your prayers and good wishes. I’m more sorry than I can tell you to have to say that Gus is dead. His kidneys shut down entirely, and there was no choice but to euthanize him. Doug and our younger daughter (who lives in town) came down to the hospital, and we spent a good (if tearful) hour with him, petting him and telling him how much he meant to us–what a good dog. Then the kind doctor gave him a shot, and we brought him home and buried him out back, under a big eucalyptus tree, beside old Ajax, our doberman who died a couple of years ago. We buried him with a MilkBone between his paws (his favorite), and a small bouquet of fragrant herbs from my garden–rosemary (for remembrance), lavender, and sage. He always loved to help dig in the garden.

We’re very sad, but relieved that he’s out of his trouble. It’s been a bad few days.

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60 Responses »

  1. ((((((( Diana and family ))))))))

    Judie

  2. I’m so very sorry. It’s heartbreaking to lose a dear pet. Thinking of you and your family…

  3. I was sorry to hear about your family’s loss. A pet is such a big part of family life, and although the loss is surely a sore one, I hope that his memory will be soothing to you and yours in times to come. Thinking of you…
    Melissa (LissC of LOL)

  4. Diana,
    May Gus frolic over the rainbow bridge with his fur-buddies who have gone on before. My dear Keeshond, RocKee, is there to meet him.

    Hugs for your family.

  5. My very sincere condolences, Diana. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  6. Diana:

    Gus is at rest and there is no more pain. The Watkins family is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Midge

  7. Oh Diana, I’m so very sorry.

    Gus will be remembered fondly.

  8. Thanks, guys. Your good thoughts mean a lot.

  9. I’m sorry that your dog is dead.
    I still miss my budgie sometimes.

  10. Diana,

    So sorry for the loss of Gus. We have the following poem next to a picture of a dearly missed part of our family:

    They say memories are golden,
    Well maybe that is true.
    We never wanted memories,
    We only wanted you.

    In life we loved you dearly,
    In death we love you still.
    In our hearts you hold a special place,
    No other puppy will ever fill.

    If tears could build a stairway,
    And heartache make a lane,
    We’d walk the path to heaven,
    And bring you back again.

  11. Thinking of you and your family, Diana, at this sad time.

  12. Diana,
    I am sorry to hear about you loss of Gus. Losing a pet is so difficult. I have lost a few that broke my heart. My sympathy is with you.

    Vicki (Piper Mom)

  13. Truly the worst part of allowing a pet into your heart…..you did the kindest thing you could have done. I truly believe heaven can not be heaven without our 4 legged friends! You’ll see him again…..

  14. I’m so sorry Diana.

    It’s so hard to lose a good friend.

    Warning this poem might make the tears fall….but I found it some comfort after I lost my Dog Emily.

    I Loved You Best by Jim Willis

    So this is where we part, My Friend,
    and you’ll run on, around the bend,
    gone from sight, but not from mind,
    new pleasures there you’ll surely find.

    I will go on, I’ll find the strength,
    life measures quality, not its length.
    One long embrace before you leave,
    share one last look, before I grieve.

    There are others, that much is true,
    but they be they, and they aren’t you.
    And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
    will remember well all you’ve taught.

    Your place I’ll hold, you will be missed,
    the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
    And as you journey to your final rest,
    take with you this…I loved you best.

  15. Dear Diana,

    I’m so sorry. Sorry for your loss, and sorry there won’t be any more Gus stories about that crazy little guy. My best to you and your family.

    Pam

  16. I’m so sorry for your loss :(

    You’ve probably read this somewhere before, and it’s very sad so may bring tears… but I wanted to share as I think it’s one of the loveliest pieces of writing about losing a pet.

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

    When an animal who has been especially close to someone dies, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    Animals who were ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them from days and times gone by.

    The animals are happy and content, except for one thing: they miss someone very special to them; the person they left behind.

    All of the animals run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. Happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

  17. So sorry. Many sympathies.

  18. Oh, no! Not Gus. So very sad….hugs going to the whole Watkins clan. Poor Molly will be lonely too. Janice

  19. Diana, I’m so sorry to hear about Gus. Maybe he will meet our dear, departed Tuffy whom I know to be in Doggie Heaven. Thank you for sharing Gus with us through “Brotherhood” and your web site. Our thoughts are with you and yours….

    Donna at Jackson District Library

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