Gunny wanted and needed so badly to feel safe and protected by someone so he didn't have to try to protect himself and always be aggressive towards everyone and everything new. He could be the sweetest little boy when he wanted to be held and cuddled or get a belly rub. He also was an incredibly intelligent little boy, who knew some incredible tricks including sit, shake, speak, sit pretty, laydown, flat puppy, rollover and my favorite, high 5. Gunny could kill a stuffie toy in a matter of minutes with the debris surrounding him.

I would like to remember our last 18 hours together. From the time I got home from work until the time we went to the vet, I spent every minute with Gunny. The first thing I did when I got home was take down the xpen and told him he would never have to go into one of them again. Gunny got all kinds of treats, love, belly rubs and got to sit on the furniture. He got a new stuffie to destroy, which he happily did. We didn't go to bed that night. We had ice cream at midnight, went for a walk at 1:00 AM, played ball in the basement at 2:00 AM, had liver sausage treats and played with every toy in the toy box at 3:00 AM. Around 4:00 AM, we laid down on the living room couch and Gunny crawled right up on top of me, snuggled in and we took a nap until about 5:30 AM. Saturday morning we went for four walks, played ball in the basement again, had a gourmet breakfast, got a lot of love and did whatever Gunny wanted to do. I hope it was some of the best hours of his life. Gunnar gave me soft, sweet kisses Saturday morning that I will never forget.

Saturday, 12 November 2005

It is with heartache and heartbreak that I must tell you Gunnar has gone to the Rainbow Bridge today. I held him in my arms, cradling him like the baby he was, talking softly to him and telling him how much I love him and how sorry I am I wasn't able to save him as he slipped away to the Rainbow Bridge.

Gunnar wasn't even 19 months old, had his whole life ahead of him, so much to live for, so many critters to chase, so many toys to destuff, so many tricks to perform and new ones to learn, so much love to give and so many things to discover. Gunny wasn't properly trained, disciplined or socialized as a puppy and soon learned to attack anything he was unsure of before it had a chance to attack him, and that by growling, snarling and biting, he could get his way. Initially, we started off a little rocky, but underneath I could tell there was a frightened, unsure little boy. We had our bad moments, but we also had some really good moments. A week ago I really thought Gunny had turned a corner, had a breakthrough and was ready to accept his role and place in the pack. But, it was not to last. This week he once again reverted back to his old, bad habits.

I will remember Gunny as an adorable little boy, with a wonderful, lively personality who loved to go for long walks in the woods, who loved to rollover and get a belly rub, who knew incredible tricks including giving high 5 and laying flat puppy. I will miss Gunnar pawing me to let me know I was spending too much time on the computer, or running to the door to let me know it was time for a walk, but most of all I will miss his sweet little face and the soft, gentle kisses he gave.
Valerie, Gunnar's Foster Mom

Sometimes we only think of a physical problem as being "terminal", but with the progressive mental torture that Gunnar had endured, this was the only kind thing to do -- the "last gift of love". Mary

Gunner would attack without provocation, not just bite due to fear or something that you were doing that he didn't like. He bit numerous times within our program, and was turned in previously for being a bite dog. CPCRN took him in and said we would give him a chance and have him evaluated for his health . . . hoping against hope that we would be able to find a health issue that could be treated . . . one that would stop his aggression. His bites were not restricted to a single gender [fear of a look or gender] or type of person. His attacks would occur out of the blue and with no warning at all.

When Val said she would take Gunner to foster, we knew of his prior history, but we wanted to give him a chance, and Val said she would be Gunner's Mom. AND A GREAT MOM AND DAD Gunner had. It just wasn't to be where he would find an adoptive home and live "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" . . . BUT WE TRIED, AND VAL TRIED HARD. Hugs, Danielle