Wednesday, February 27, 2008

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.

58 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry about your Gus, Diana. It was so nice to "meet" him through you.

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  2. Oh God, Diana, i´m so sorry...

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  3. I've searched and searched for the source of this poem. The only credits I can find indicate the author was Majorie Staats.

    It's hard to lose the ones we love,
    To see them pass away,
    The sweetest and the kindest gone,
    While others are left to stay.

    But if we had a garden,
    With roses fair and bright,
    We'd often Pick the loveliest,
    And think it to be right.

    And so as is with Jesus,
    In His Heavenly garden here,
    He often picks the fairest flower,
    The ones we love so dear.

    The flowers that are picked by Him
    Will never fade away,
    We know they'll live forever,
    And we'll see them some sweet day.


    Give my love and condolences to your family.

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  4. So sorry about Gus, pets are a real part of our family. I have always seen pets as God's way of sending his physical unconditional love to us on Earth.

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  5. I am so very sorry for your loss. I really liked Gus a lot, he was a great character and will live on in your heart and in your books. And he was a very lucky doggie to have such a loving family.

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  6. Oh Diana,
    I'm so sorry! Losing a pet is so sad. my thoughts are with you! Tke care!
    Ashley

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  7. Diana, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Gus was a great dog!

    Sending a few hugs and warm thoughts your way...

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  8. My sympathy to you and your family. Gus will be missed.

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  9. Dear Diana,

    So sorry that you've lost your Gus. Thanks for the photos you've shared with us, and for including him in Brotherhood, where he lives on.

    Sincerely,

    Teddie

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  10. So sorry to hear about Gus. I'm glad you had time to say goodbye, it is always so hard to loose a loved pet.
    Lisa

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  11. My condolences on the loss of Gus! You and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time! ((((((Diana))))))

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  12. My thoughts are with you and your family. =(

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  13. Diana,

    I am so sorry for your loss. A pet holds such a special place in our hearts.

    I hope you find a place of peace over your loss.

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  14. Sorry to hear about your Gus. It is a very tough day I know. Pets are such a part of our families, bring much love and have a special place in our hearts. We have three pets under our "tree" and a couple dogs aging way too quickly.

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  15. Diana,

    I am saddened to hear that Gus has died. I know how painful it is to lose a pet. Our pets are a part of our family.

    Thank you for sharing Gus with all of us in Brotherhood. I am grateful that I got a chance to know him!

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  16. ((((((( Diana and family ))))))))

    Judie

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

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  18. 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)

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  19. 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.

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

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  21. Diana:

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

    Midge

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  22. Oh Diana, I'm so very sorry.

    Gus will be remembered fondly.

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

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  24. I'm sorry that your dog is dead.
    I still miss my budgie sometimes.

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  25. 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.

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

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  27. 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)

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  28. 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.....

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  29. 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.

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  30. 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

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  31. 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…

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

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  33. 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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  34. I'm so sorry about your little guy (brushing tears from cheeks). I hope all of the prayers being said on his, your, and your family's behalf will ease your heavy hearts.

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  35. I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. Gus was a wonderful character and obviously much loved. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  36. Dear Diana,
    I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure the absence of his presence around the house must already be felt. It's so hard. I hope you're comforted by knowing how many of us enjoyed and appreciated that special little guy.
    -Anna

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  37. So very sorry that you had to lose a part of the family. My thoughts are with you...

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  38. So sorry to hear about Gus. Best wishes for you and yours. He led a happy life, though; that's what counts right?

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  39. Diana, I am so sorry for your loss. I completely understand about how you are feeling as I just recently had to put my puppy, Ginger down too!! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  40. So sorry, Diana.

    I cannot read this http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Heaven-Cynthia-Rylant/dp/0590417010/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204336982&sr=1-1 book without crying.

    It's meant for toddlers, but I love it myself. It posits that the dogs are up there in heaven romping and playing and having a wonderful time, and waiting for us to get up there and play with them again. It's a good cry when you've lost a beloved pet.

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  41. Oh, Diana, I'm so sorry. Pets are family. I am happy that you gave Gus a milkbone under his favorite tree.

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  42. So very, very sorry to hear of the loss of your precious Gus. I see someone has already sent you "Rainbow Bridge." It has been a comfort to me in the past...I hope it will be for you as well. You and your family are in my thoughts. Hold the good memories close....

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  43. condolences to your family may memories of happy gus times strengthen you when you miss the echo of nails on the floor and barks at the door.

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  44. I've been sick and unable to check in until today. So sorry for your loss.

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  45. ((Diana and Family))

    Sorry to hear of his passing.

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  46. I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Gus.

    ((HUG))

    http://charmeddesigns.blogspot.com/

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  47. So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Gus. Thank you for sharing the details of his final resting with us; it sounds as if you and yours gave him a lovely place to be at peace. He will live on in your beautiful memories.

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  48. I am so sorry for your loss, I too have a fat dachsund - they are definitely dogs that become part of the family.

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  49. I'm so sorry for your loss, and will keep you and the rest of your family -- human and otherwise -- in my prayers.

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  50. Diana,

    I am so sorry for your loss.

    When our dachshund died the whole family was in deep sadness. Our dog was 14 when she died.

    I feel with you and your family.

    Marion

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  51. Diana,

    So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Gus. I hope your sweet memories overpower your feelings of loss which I know can overwhelm, having lost our 2 Westies within 2 years.

    Anita

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  52. DG and family -

    I'm sorry to hear about Gus. It seems like it was very sudden and unexpected. I think it's wonderful that he was mentioned in Brotherhood where his memory can live on. :)

    Hugs to you all

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  53. I am sorry for your loss. We experienced a loss recently and know just how hard it is to let go... Take care

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