Good-bye Gabe

Good bye Gabe, you good old dog.

In the short time we had you, we got to know your sweet personality. We often talked about what a wonderful dog you would have been had you been given the chance to be a family dog. But that was not your life's work. You probably spent all your life in a kennel helping make amazing puppies. Wish we could meet some of your offspring.

When we took you home, you behaved as if you always belonged in our back yard. You always had a wagging tail and happy smile for us anytime we went outside to see you. You tried fetch and walking on a leash. You loved getting petted. And you didn't really like taking a bath.

The last couple weeks, you had several bad days when it almost seemed like you wouldn't make it to the next. Your companion, Elly, was eating your portion of the food because you weren't in the mood to eat. Some days you ate, but others you smelled the food and left it alone. One day, you didn't even want to come for a treat, which you always wanted even when you didn't want dog food.

Last night, you didn't want to move to go in the shed for the night. So we left you alone and didn't make you go. In the morning, you probably were in the same spot you laid all night. It almost looked like you were not alive, but you were. Your tail didn't wag though; not even when you got petted. And you only shifted your position once in a while.

Sometime between mid-morning and early afternoon, God took you to Happy Hunting Grounds. You deserve to be there enjoying the life every dog should. You didn't get much of a chance to make a home happy or to be made happy by that home. But we are glad to have known you and gotten a chance to have such a grand, stately stud.

Good-bye Gabe.