Remembering Gus

[4 the Dogs]

Gus was my foster dog for a short time in Sept 2011. Gus was elderly, in a lot of pain and had a hard time moving around. He had been found wondering in a flooded area, dirty and alone. Gus was taken to a shelter, wearing tags, but no one returned the calls when the shelter tried to locate his family. They knew he'd have a hard time finding a home with them and they were even more overcrowded because of the flooding. The shelter reached out to a husky rescue a friend of mine started. When she saw him, she knew she couldn't leave him there, even though he wasn't a husky.

Gus at the shelter:


I had been following the story on facebook. The rescue was looking for a foster home, I thought I had a good set up and time. I have a ramp so Gus wouldn't have to negotiate stairs. I volunteered to take him. When I first met him, I honestly wondered if we had done the right thing. He had such a horrible time walking and seemed so tired and sad. My friend was thinking the same thing and we agreed to give him 2 weeks to rest and a decision would be made then.


Gus wasn't the best house guest, but that was ok, he didn't feel good. He developed a bacteria infection that caused him to not have full control of his bowels. He really didn't like Abbey much at all! But with in just a few days, with rest and care, he was feeling better. His eyes were brighter, he seemed to enjoy being outside and laying in the sun and he loved to be petted and massaged. I knew then that we had done the right thing, he had some living yet to do.


It only took a few days and a family applied to adopt Gus. Over the last few months they sent pictures and updates. He settled in nicely and had 2 kids to spoil his and a stay at home with him Mommy. They got him his own overstuffed bed. They were a great family and loved him.

Yesterday I got an email saying he had taken a turn for the worse. He was in a lot of pain and having great difficultly standing up. It said they could see in his eyes that he was ready to cross the bridge and run free again, without pain.
Gus went to Rainbow Bridge today.

I am so thankful to my friend for saving him. He was loved and cared for in his final days and best of all, he has a family to wait for at the bridge now.

RIP Gus! You are a good boy!!

[RubyJeansMom]

Kris, I'm so sorry to hear about Gus.
You gave him a great start in his "new" life. He was loved until the very end, by his family.
My condolences, he was a beautiful boy.

[kian]

I remember Gus, I am so glad his last months were one of love and warmth. He knew love until the very end. ♥

[nezza]

Kris, i am so sorry. Gus had such a sweet face...i know your pain...and i know he will be missed. I know he was loved.

Rest in Peace, sweet boy.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kris, I believe you, and your friend, were Guardian Angels in Gus' life. You helped find the perfect "forever" family for Gus for his final days. My heart also goes out to the family, who so unconditionally accepted Gus for however long it would be as I'm sure the children are especially heart broken tonight which is tough for the parents, while dealing with their own grief.

Gus was loved by many. It easy to see why on that sweet face of his. ♥

Kris, I am sending you a huge, big, virtual hugs angel. ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[daschoundsrule]

Kris, I am so sorry about Gus. I'm glad you were able to find him a forever home. It sounds like he was loved by his new family. May he run free and without pain. Hugs to you my dear friend.

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Gus stole my heart when you first showed us his photos. Re-reading his story and seeing all those photos again grabbed my heart again. Thank you, Kris, for you part in saving his life and for sharing him with us. Because of your help, this sweet dog had a few months of the life that every dog deserves.

Run free, Gus, with no pain. You're a good dog. ♥

[Deerie me]

I'm so pleased he was loved at the end. Run free Gus.

[princelover]

I thought I had commented on Gus but see I hadn't. He was such a georgous guy and I am so happy that he was able to spend his last time loved and cared for well. Run free, sweet Gus!