All Dogs Go To Heaven

Dogs are miracles with paws.

~Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

On Saturday evening last week Adele and my Boston Terrier, Gizmo, passed away. The reality of this has only now slowly started setting in. Gizmo is gone and to me it feels like a piece of me is gone forever.

After 'helping us unpack' at our new house at Tuningi, and accidentally swallowing a few tablets, Giz started getting sick. Initially nothing too serious and Adele and I immediately drove him to the closest vet in Lichtenburg. Blood tests showed that everything was fine and we left with all sorts of medicines that was supposed to get him back to his energetic best.

Things started looking up and he seemed to be improving when on Saturday morning he started getting very sick again. Adele immediately drove him to the Medi Vet Clinic in Thabazimbi. The vet put him on a drip and gave him an injection to make him sleep. He would be watched over the weekend and Monday everything was supposed to be ok.

Adele received the call on Sunday morning. A completely unrelated complication crept in and our little boy passed away in his sleep.

We live a different life from most people in that Gizmo was with us 24/7. The longest time we were apart was for 2 days when we flew to the Sabi Sands for a job interview. Other than that we were always together.

For the last few days the world has seemed a little more dull. Food has not tasted as good. The sunrises have not been as magical. The days and nights are filled with reminders - the little heartbeat at our feet is gone.

On Sunday evening Adele and I shared a bottle of red wine, tears and the most amazing memories as we said goodbye to Gizmo. It has been one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do but I would not wanted to have shared it with anybody other then Adele. For a brief moment in time Adele, Gizmo and I were the perfect little family. It is a time I will never forget!

Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust.

~Roger Caras

I know Gizmo had the most amazing life a dog could ever wish for and that is how we will try and remember him.

He was our child, a listener, a cuddle-partner, an entertainer and most of all - he was our best friend! In honor of our little boy here are a few images of how he will always be remembered.

Even at 6 weeks he was already energetic and game for anything!

Adele and Gizmo at 6 weeks.

Even at a young age he had huge amounts of personality.

For quite some time I was worried that his ears would not stand all the way up.

There was no need as he turned into an absolutely beautiful Boston Terrier. The teeth sometimes gave him a bit of a strange look but that is another small thing we got to love about him.

Gizmo was very well traveled as he went everywhere with us. This was his first trip to the beach. Amazing few days and I reckon if he could choose - one of his bets trips!

Me with my boy.

For almost a year and a half we were the perfect little family. A time I will never forget.

Gizmo as we will always remember him.

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.

~Josh Billings

This is how we felt. We were loved. Gizzie - Thanks for loving us like you did and giving us all the amazing memories. You will always be remembered and have a place in our hearts.

It is very difficult to move on but this is a part of life. We were able to give one lucky Boston Terrier the time of his life and we know we will do it again. Perhaps closer to the New Year Adele and will get another Boston Terrier (or two!!) to fill our lives with the joy we got from Gizmo but for now we will move forward and remember the joy that he brought us.

I find myself wondering if I am 'too' sad about this and whether it is silly the way we are feeling? Then I stop and think no. I believe that anybody who can love a dog that much must have a good heart. You learn from them and they make you realise that unconditional love does exist. For that reason and the way we felt when we were together I know I have the right to feel sad and will do it again and again. Having a dog like this makes your life richer then any amount of money can ever do.

The dog is the only animal that has seen his god.

~Author Unknown

Thanks for reading.

Until next time.

Gerry