AdoreMyDogs...what a wonderful poem. It's always very sad to have our pets journey on to the bridge. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of Gino. We'll all be thinking about Gino's family today. Knowing that he is with my beloved Misty and Jing and Bailey and Tizzie and Kona and all the others that have gone before us, is comforting. I was very sad when Misty had to be put down right before my wedding almost 2 years ago now. She had had 2 strokes and just couldn't manage anymore. I had her since the 2nd grade. A sad loss indeed, but as Sir Walter Scott says: "The final cause of dogs having such short lives...is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?"
17 years is a long life, and I'm sure he was well cared for a loved very much. I hope everyone can find comfort in that and remember the good times spent with Gino