Rest in Peace Gateway ....

On Friday night, June 21, 2013, we discovered that Gateway was bloating about an hour after feeding them.  I immediately took off for the emergency vet.  He didn't make it ... here is what I sent out by e-mail on Saturday ... 

Gateway was born to a litter of 7 or 8 puppies in October of 2000.  When he was born, he was almost culled by the breeder because he was SPOTTED!!  I have thanked God every day for 12 and a half years that she didn't do that and I am also thankful that I had pick of the litter and was able to bring this boy home with us!!  He has been the light of my life for as long as I have known him.  Last night, about an hour or so after dinner, he was in lots of pain and his stomach was as hard as a drum.  Off to the emergency vet clinic we went.  X-rays were done and the stomach was full of gas and completely twisted.  The only treatment for this is abdominal surgery to right the stomach and then tack it to the sides of the abdominal wall.  This is a very invasive surgery and I just couldn't do that to a 12.5 year old dog.  I made the decision to euthanize him before he was in even more pain.  This was one of the hardest decisions of my life.  He will be missed but the memories of him will live on forever in so many people that met him and loved him.  After he was euthanized, I brought him home and this morning I took him to the vet clinic in North Pole to get a paw print in clay and then I brought him back home and shaved some of his fur that I am going to send to my friend in New Jersey to have her spin it into yarn.  Not sure what I will make or if it will just sit on the shelf with his remains from the cremation.  Just before he was euthanized, I gave him strict orders to go look up Em, Balou, Red Fred, Butternut, Polar Bear and so many others that left us before him.  I am looking forward to the day I get to join them at the Rainbow Bridge and cross over into doggy heaven.  Rest in Peace Gateway (10/10/2000 to 6/22/2013) ... I love you with all my heart and will miss you greatly.  

He was home again on Monday.  He sits proudly on a shelf in the living room.  I am so much more at peace with him home again.  I constantly talk to him and still occasionally call to him as though he is going to be there beside me again. 

Love you G-man.