Gull, You've brought the sun to me...

[ParNone]

Gosh it's been so long since I've been here. It's been a rough few years. My Mom had a massive stroke back in 2010, then 2 months later, I had to put Oz to sleep for lymphoma. My Mom passed away about 8 mos ago. So it's just been me and Gulliver for awhile now and he got me through it all. Bringing me toys when I was upset to cheer me up. I finally got my feet back under me this year and was starting to feel fairly good and then a couple of months ago, he woke me up in the middle of the night, all panicky. He was trying to stand, but his legs wouldn't support him. I held him up, so he could stand and he stopped panicking, but he really didn't seem aware I was there. It lasted about a minute, then he wagged his tail and trotted off to get a toy to play. It almost seemed like a seizure to me, but the vet thought it was a stroke. We didn't have anymore of those incidents, but I could tell he was slowly getting weaker. And then he had trouble working his legs correctly. He couldn't back up very well and he'd do this lil' stutter step, when he walked. In the back of my mind, I knew our time together was growing shorter.

Last week, I was cooking dinner and dropped some turkey meat on the floor. Called him to come get it. I heard all this commotion, but no Gull showed up. I ran to where he was and he couldn't get up. He was so upset. He peed and threw up all over himself. I tried to lift him up, but he couldn't help at all this time. I called a friend to come help me lift him into my Jeep, to get him to the vet. My vet wasn't there that day, so they tranquilized him and kept him over nite for observation. I went in the next morning to see Gull and consult with my vet. The tranquilizer had long since worn off, but Gull was so non-responsive, when I was talking to him and he still couldn't get up. He looked so miserable, so I made the decision to put him to sleep.

When I put Oz to sleep, I had all nite to basically say goodbye to him, before we went into the vet. Everything was so rushed with Gull, but I said the things I needed to (at warp speed, but I did get the chance to say them at least) and sang his favorite song to him ("Girl" by Davy Jones. With Davy's accent, Girl sounds a bit like Gull). He went peacefully, staring into my eyes. I know he's up in heaven now, playing with Oz and Murph and Maddie. I've no doubt, he's also sharing a laugh with my Mom about the time he drug her thru my flowerbed. And hopefully "Girl" is playing on a perpetual loop for him and he's barking and dancing his way through heaven, to his very own theme song. I know there's a whole lot more laughter in heaven now.

Here's a lil' tribute video I did to his favorite song:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hx0VYqINsc

[robinh]

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Gull.

[Karen]

Oh, Par, so sad to hear this. Rest in peace, Gull, happy and whole again and all the dropped turkey a pup could eat.

Sending hugs to you, and our sincerest condolences. We have missed you!

[ParNone]

Thanks Robin and Karen! After things settle down, I will probably look into a Collie or Sheltie rescue. The house is a bit strange now. And quiet. It's the first time in 23 yrs, that I haven't had a dog in the house. I keep thinking I need to let somebody outside or fill up the food or water bowl. I walk into the house and have to stop myself from calling out for Gulliver. Hopefully when I'm ready, I'll be able to find another pupper, that's every bit as special as Gull. And Oz. And Murph. And Maddie. I've been very blessed, dog-wise. Anywho, when I do, I'll try and be a lil' more active on the board again.

[lizbud]

I am so sorry for the loss of Gullivar. So sorry to hear about your other losses too, so close together.:(:( Sounds like your life
has been turned upside down for a while now. I remember when you used to post with pictures of Oz, Murph and Maddie too.
I hope things start to turn around for you soon. Rest In Peace Gull, then join your fur sibs over the Rainbow Bridge.

[Bengalz]

I am so sorry for your loss Par - thank you for sharing Gull with us one last time - my eyes are smiling through the tears:love:. What a beautiful and happy boy!

I sincerely hope that when you are ready another dear, sweet, loving pupper comes your way.

Big hugs, Betty

[ParNone]

Thanks Liz and Betty! He was really something special. Almost 2 weeks with no Gull. I'm not sure how non-dog people do it. Doesn't seem like a home without the pitter-patter of doggie paws. Gull had the cutest lil' snore too. Actually, I miss all the noise he made, even his barking. And nosing me in the morning to get up and bringing me toys. I get teary-eyed every morning, when I make my smoothie now, because he's not there for his bite of banana. Didn't matter what room he was in, as soon as I peeled the banana, he'd come running (how he could hear peeling, I have no idea).

[Karen]

Thanks Liz and Betty! He was really something special. Almost 2 weeks with no Gull. I'm not sure how non-dog people do it. Doesn't seem like a home without the pitter-patter of doggie paws. Gull had the cutest lil' snore too. Actually, I miss all the noise he made, even his barking. And nosing me in the morning to get up and bringing me toys. I get teary-eyed every morning, when I make my smoothie now, because he's not there for his bite of banana. Didn't matter what room he was in, as soon as I peeled the banana, he'd come running (how he could hear peeling, I have no idea).

Hee hee - I bet it was the smell of fresh banana that called him like a siren! Dogs' sense of smell is hundreds of times better than ours, after all, and that looooong Collie nose probably made it even better!

[ParNone]

Hee hee - I bet it was the smell of fresh banana that called him like a siren! Dogs' sense of smell is hundreds of times better than ours, after all, and that looooong Collie nose probably made it even better!
Yeh that's true. It's funnier for me to think he could actually hear the peeling of the banana though. :) When I had Murph and Maddie, I was a new dog owner and was a bit anal about not giving them people food, cuz that's what all the books said. One of the few people snacks I would give them was pretzels though. They knew the difference between a regular potato chip bag and a pretzel bag. They'd only come running when I opened up a pretzel bag, which always amazed me, but I'm going to guess it was smell for them too.

[Bengalz]

The sharing of food with our babies has always intrigued me. My sheepdog had a very sensitive tummy and I had to cook her food and give her sterilized water. However, she would always sit by me at dinner and my habit for years was to save my "last bite" for her. After she passed, for a very long time, I could not eat my last bite of food ... I still sometimes think about it :love:. It seems our hearts are never the same after sharing this much love with our precious ones:love:.

Good news is that after a while, every time you eat a banana - there will be a smile on your face and the image of your beautiful boy sharing that moment with you.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry for your loss.:( RIP sweet Gull.:( Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Bonny]

ParNone what a wonderful tribute to Gull. Gull was really a character her on earth & I bet heaven is rolling with laughter. I am sorry for your loss & I wish our dogs could all have longer lives because they touch our hearts & bring us so much joy in their short times here.

[ramanth]

Par, my heart breaks to hear this news. Your two made me consider getting a collie. They were both so gorgeous. RIP Gull. You are surely missed. :(:(:(

Hugs to you, Par!!

[AdoreMyDogs]

I'm so sorry :( I remember Gull well and all your funny, adorable videos of your collie and cairn fur kids. The video I will never forget was the "toy from hell" video. All these years later and I still laugh when I think about it. You have a wonderful sense of humor and I can see all your canine friends shared that with you. Rest in peace, beautiful Gull. You were such a handsome, adorable boy and you will be so missed :(

[ParNone]

Thanks Bengalz, krazyaboutkatzk, Bonny, ramanth and AdoreMyDogs for all the kind words about Gull. I got some doggie therapy yesterday. Spent the afternoon at a friend's, who has 2 Goldens and a Chi Mix. I threw the ball, until my arm was sore. I had to make'em take a break, for my arm's sake. lol Retrievers amaze me. Oz and Gull would have been good to fetch for about 5-10 mins, tops.

[K9soul]

Oh Par... I can't tell you how much my heart dropped to see this. I watched your beautiful tribute, which made me both smile and cry a bit. I loved watching your goofy Gull grow up here on PT. It seems unreal that he can have passed and so suddenly. My heart aches for you. I lost Tommy suddenly January 2012, and I know how deep and lasting that ache is, the hole their passing leaves. Loved the video.. loved Gull. I will always remember your funny little movies of he and Oz man. I remember sharing some of them with my mom who is a huge collie fan. She has a smoothie herself now.

My thoughts and my deepest sympathies are with you.

Jess, Tasha, Raven and Rudy

[ParNone]

Thanks Jess! Gull was so easy to make videos for. His quirkiness was an endless well of entertainment and laughter for me. I've finally started working on an Oz tribute (he passed away at a very bad time and I wasn't up to making videos then) and sifting thru all the video of him, I'm reminded of how very different he was to Gull. He had such a majestic, dignity about him, that there's not really any whackiness on film to choose from. Both great dogs in their own unique way.

That is so cool that your Mom has a Smoothie. You'll have to post some pics.

Les...

[CountryWolf07]

Oh my gosh, I am so sad to see this. I understand what it was like, through the chaos of it all, no time. 2008 was that for me. My grandfather passed away in July of that year, then in October, I'm not sure if you remember my two girls, Anna and Rosie. Rosie (Beagle) passed on to the bridge first - her legs gave out on her, paralyzed her back - she couldn't calm down, she was freaking out and kept trying to crawl to the corner behind the TV set. It was time for her even though we wanted to try to save her, but the money was too much - it wouldn't help her either way, too. So we let her go. Anna held on for two more weeks after that - she just gave up, didn't want to eat or drink. She didn't care at all about anything. It broke my heart. I think it was old age too. Never really knew how old she was since we adopted her - probably 13 years old. I think she was heartbroken, and it was time for her to go as well. I was still at Ohio State so I couldn't say goodbye to the girls. It sucked, really sucked. But through it all, Mike (my boyfriend of almost 7 years) was there for me. I was and am grateful for that. My parents got Hank, a Beagle mix after Rosie passed on. My dad just thought, there's no way we're not going to have a dog after he had a feeling about Anna. Dogs are just amazing. Wish they'd be with us longer! :) Hope you're doing OK and just know that they are your guardian angels and now with your other dogs... just waiting to see you again someday.

[shais_mom]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I always think of you when I see Smooth Collies. :) My summer last year was similiar I had Kylie my white cat put to sleep in May and 3 weeks later Keegan. The pain was so intense I couldn't breathe for days. But now I can look back on my time with them and smile. I still miss them but part of me always will.
Much love to you.
Staci

[wolf_Q]

So sorry to hear about Gull. He was one handsome pup with such a personality. I've missed seeing you on pet talk, so sad to see this update. :( You are loved and missed, Gull.

[anna_66]

I've been in my own depression with the loss of Bon and I missed your post :(
I'm so terribly sorry to hear this, it breaks my heart. He was such a wonderful boy and fun to watch in your videos. My deepest condolences.

[ParNone]

Thanks y'all for all your wonderful thoughts about Gull. We've all lost some really special dogs in our life and it's nice to come here, where people understand how deep that bond can be and what you're going thru when you lose one so close to you.

Hi anna. No worries about posting on Gull. I totally get it. I haven't gone to the other memorial threads yet, because the grief over Gull was too fresh to be able to handle it before.