Unfortunate news reached me today

[GoldenRivet]

Some of you may recall in the winter of 2008, i posted a thread that my now ex-wife and i had taken ownership of a lovely German Shepherd Puppy which we named Gunner.

We took the time to raise him well and teach him a great many important things for a dog to know. Playful things of course but also ringing the bell when he had to go outside or waiting for his food until "released" when it was placed on the ground, fun things like shake hands and high five, or how to kennel.

From 2008-2011 he was as a son to us in a way.

As im sure many of you have deduced from previous posts, and the fact that i recently remarried, in 2011 Alisha and I proceeded with a dissolution of our marriage... while a difficult time for both of us, it was a necessary evil and of course, a story for another time. During those proceedings, which were fortunately amicable and warranted no lawyers and drawn out proceedings and the various unpleasant logistical things that go with such a life event - it was agreed upon that she would retain possession of Gunner as i would be traveling all over the country for work and would not have the means to properly care for Gunner, and seeing that she would be a newly single woman living alone she would undoubtedly benefit from the protection and companionship he would offer.

I know for a fact and from my own experiences, that her life immediately after the divorce was one of loneliness and confusion... I have always been relieved in a way knowing that she had Gunner to lean on for companionship in that difficult period of time.

I have often bragged to others about Gunner. In fact, i probably mention the dog in conversation at least one or two times a month i guess. when i would meet an individual and their dog, ultimately he would come up. i would brag on his intelligence, his handsome presentation, his elaborate personality and i would go on about all of the tricks we taught him. still, today i continue to do this.

Ultimately she remarried, as have i of course, and Gunner became the "step dog" in a house full of children who, i am told, loved him very dearly and with them he had a family which provided him with an environment befitting of any wonderful dog. I have seen Gunner on one occasion since then, even after many months of absence he was excited to see me and was immediately playful and jovial. we wrestled around on the floor for a bit, shook hands, gave high fives, sat along side one another while my ex wife and i briefly visited... and i never saw him again.

obviously as a result of moving our lives in opposite directions, her remarriage, my own remarriage, and taking on step children and moving into different cities and for many other reasons, my ex wife and i had a bit of a falling out by the conclusion of 2012.

because of this, i only just received the very limited information that in 2013, Gunner was diagnosed with cancer, an affliction which he lost his battle to on March the 5th, 2014.

I have little right to be "saddened" about the loss i suppose. I had not seen the dog in 4 years now, and the chasm created by the time apart certainly distances me a bit from the pain. but, having been a substantial part of his training, his upbringing, and having him be one of the last truly positive things (in a list of many positive things) i shared with my ex wife, his passing has touched me deeply. I know that, for her, it was extraordinarily difficult to say goodbye. I think, almost, that is what bothers me most about losing him... how it must have affected her.

Dogs come into our lives and they touch us in many wonderful ways, they show us a lot of things about ourselves.

I'm reminded of the story where the question is asked "why dont dogs live as long as humans?" to which the small child replies "i know why... people are born so they can learn how to be kind and show love and live a happy life... dogs dont have to live as long because they are born already knowing how to do that."

Gunner, certainly knew how... and i know that his life brought a great deal of happiness and love to a great many people. and i am honored to be on the list of lives that he touched, even if our friendship could be relegated to a brief footnote to the story of his rich and full life.

So, to my old friend, though the paths of our lives diverged, i will always remember you with fondness, I'll always be proud of you, i will often think of you and those thoughts will always bring a smile to my face.

With that, i bid you goodbye

[Gargamel]

I feel your pain GR, having only recently put my Sheppard down.

[Eichhörnchen]

I'm very sad indeed to read about this and understand your grief... our pets are like children to us.

[Cybermat47]

I'm so sorry. One of my dogs had to be put down due to cancer last year, and it was one of the saddest times of my life - but it sounds like you had it worse.

I'm sure you gave Gunner a great life, and that's the best thing you can give any living creature.

[HW3]

Sorry to read this GR. Also sorry it took almost 2 years for you to find out about it. You have my condolences.

[Commander Wallace]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss GR. Eichhörnchen said it best regarding our animals being our children and part of the family. From the way you talk, I'm sure Gunner was more that a just dog. He was a beautiful sheppard and looked well cared for as I'm sure he was.

Perhaps in time, you and your wife may get another dog although nothing will replace Gunner.


Best regards.

Why can't dogs be invincible...

[fumo30]

My condolences.

Our neighbours dog(also German Shepherd) recently, at the age of 9 years, died of cancer too. Cancer cases are alarmingly increasing in the world both within men and animals. Whats wrong, is it too processed food or what?

Originally Posted by fumo30

Whats wrong, is it too processed food or what?

Not wanting to derail this thread, a quick note won't harm though I guess:
It is literally everything and there is no stopping it.
Google a bit, you'll see what I mean.

Life is short, let's try to make the best out of it - whatever that may mean for each and everyone of us.

[fumo30]

^ Ok, i'll go googling.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

Perhaps in time, you and your wife may get another dog although nothing will replace Gunner.


Best regards.

thanks for all the kind words... i appreciate it.

just to point out for clarity, as is written in the OP, this was a dog my ex-wife and i raised together years ago, and that we agreed would live with her following our divorce. this is not the dog belonging to my current wife and I.

I had not seen the pup in closing on 4 years - but the news of his death still saddened me all the same.

[Commander Wallace]

[QUOTE=GoldenRivet;2380578]thanks for all the kind words... i appreciate it.

You're more than welcome. Sadly, we have all been there at one time or another so everyone understands how painful yours and their own loss can be. I think animals are smarter than than some people give them credit for. They certainly seem more in tune sometimes. Like you and others here, I can't imagine my life without them .

Having said that, condolences to Cybermat47, Fumo and everyone else who has endured a loss like that . As Cybermat said, you gave Gunner a great life which is more than some unfortunate animals have .

[sfc]

so sorry for your loss, a dog may be a animal but to many they are so much more.
I had to put down my huskey last year and my wife and I still miss her, even our dog abby now still misses her after only being around chole(our huskey) for 6months.
they are not pets- they are family!!

[Platapus]

Dogs (and cats) are not like a family member -- they are a family member.

Very sorry to hear this sad news.

[TurnedToDust]

R.I.P Gunner.