Saturday, December 20, 2014

Goodbye, Gatsby


I don't do many personal posts on this blog, but today my husband and I lost our eldest boxer to cancer and I felt compelled to go through every single picture we've ever taken of him so I could share a few. We brought Gatsby home this time of year eight years ago and he has been the love of our lives (as well as his brother, Griffin) ever since. Kevin and I don't have any kids, so Gatsby and Griffin are our babies, and the loss of Gatsby so suddenly is nothing short of devastating.

We had eight wonderful years with him though, and I know he understood that he was loved every minute of that time. You will be sorely missed, Gatsby.

62 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss, glad you had some great years with him.

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    1. Thank you, Becky:) We're so grateful for the time we had with him.

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  2. Awww! I am so, so sorry for your loss. Dogs are apart of our family as well and they're family too. So losing a dog is always hard. Eight years is a lot for a dog, I'm glad you got to have some happy years with Gatsby.

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  3. Aww, I'm so sorry to hear this, Jenny. ((HUGS))

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  4. I'm so sorry for your loss, Jenny! I've never had a pet myself but I know my mother had a dog while growing up and was devastated when she died so I know the pain of losing a pet is terrible to go through. Take care, Jenny!<3

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    1. Thank you, Keertana. I work from home, so I've spent pretty much 24/7 with Gatsby these past 8 years, so losing him was definitely losing a member of our family.

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  5. (((((((((((( hugs ))))))))))))))))) from Tonks, Cinder, and Lizzie! I know just how devastating this is! Run free Big G Run free!

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    1. We so hope that's what he's doing. We're going to take his ashes up to my parents' house (on the lake in the pictures above) because he loved it there. I think he would like to always be in the water:)

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  6. {{{{hugs}}} sorry to hear about Gatsby. Glad you had many wonderful years. It is always hard to lose a beloved family member, whether the be two or four legged. {{{hugs}}}

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    1. I agree Melanie, he and Griffin are definitely beloved members of our family:)

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  7. Oh Jenny, I'm sad to hear this. May Gatsby find some fun watering holes up in doggie heaven. Hugs to you and Kevin.

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  8. Oh Jenny, I'm so sorry to hear about Gatsby! I lost my first dog, Lady, two years ago and the pain of losing a pet hurts something fierce. But you and your family gave Gatsby eight years of love and warmth so he went knowing he had a family who adored him. Hugs for you and your family during this tough time. ♥

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    1. Thank you Sandy. This is the first time Kevin and I have had to go through this and it is definitely a special kind of nightmare. We got to be with him in the end though, so I know he left knowing we were right there.

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  9. I need to come over to give you and Griff a hug and maybe have a little cry this week. I will miss Gatsby and will never forget him and Abby 'chatting' over the kitchen step stools - was it him or Giffin that licked her from chin to forehead? I know he and Truman are running around like the dopey pups we loved. xoxo

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    1. Yes please:) And it was Griffin that gave her a full tongue facial. I'm glad to know Truman was there to greet him:)

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  10. I'm sooooo sorry. I hate cancer... We lost two of our Goldens to cancer. Their time with us was too short... Through my tears.... HUGS...

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    1. 8 years definitely did not feel like enough time, though I know it's pretty good for a boxer. Thank you so much for your kind words:)

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  11. We had to put my first dog to sleep 2 years ago due to cancer. We explored every option and just couldn't watch him suffer anymore. He was 9 and I'm not sure I'll ever forget that grief of losing him. My heart goes out to you as you push through this grief. You're not alone.

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    1. We ran a number of diagnostic tests and when all we had left was some form of cancer that ultimately would require chemo no matter where it was, we decided his quality of life was what was most important to us and we wanted him to be himself for whatever time we had left. He fought for a solid 3 months and then suddenly it was like he just couldn't keep on his happy face for us anymore and he let us see how much it hurt. Once he did that we knew he was ready to go.

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  12. I'm so sorry Jenny and Kevin *big warm hugs* on the loss of Gatsby. He sounds wonderful and I hope you can think of the love he brought to you, and find peace in that.

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    1. He was wonderful, Kim:) The sweetest dog in the world, and though I can barely see through my tears to respond to your comment, I know he knew how much we loved him.

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  13. So sorry, Jenny! We lost two of our boxers last year--so hard to lose members of the family. But we now have two more boxers who keep things jumping. Hang in there!

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    1. Haha I'm sure they do! They have so much energy:) Our second boxer seems okay at the moment and we're grateful for that. The vet warned us that he might not eat for a few days, but he's holding it together and helping Kevin and I try and do the same:)

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  14. I'm so sorry jenny I hope he can find peace now.

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  15. I'm so sorry to hear about this, Jenny. I can only imagine how hard this must be. Sending all the hugs and kisses.

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  16. I am so so so sorry for your loss Jenny... Losing a loved one, be it human or furry, is always a stab in the heart. I'm sending you, your hubby and Griffin loads of love and hugs.

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  17. Oh my gosh, Jenny! I am so, so, so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a dog. They are like family members (only better!!) and such loyal pals. I'll be thinking of you during this tough time. Hugs!

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    1. He was the best:) Thank you so much Christina.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer, I really appreciate it:)

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  19. Oh, Jenny! I'm so close to crying, because I know the pain of this kind of loss. Wherever he is, I'm sure he's happy to be pain free and hopefully, if there is such a thing as afterlife, you will meet again one day! *hugs*

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    1. I've been a sobbing disgusting mess for a couple days now Siiri:) I do like to think he'll be up there waiting for us when it's our time though.

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  20. Oh I'm really sorry Jenny, it's always so difficult to loose a dog. Good luck for everything.

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  21. Oh no, so sorry to see this! What a sweet face he had! So sorry!

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  22. I'm so sorry Jen! I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through. Dogs are our best friends. I'm sending you all my love.

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    1. He was definitely our baby, but he gave us 8 amazing years so we're trying to cling to that:)

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  23. Oh, Jenny. *hugs* It's always so difficult to say goodbye. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  24. *Hugs*
    I understand. Losing a pet hurts so much *mourns my cats through out the years*

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  25. Oh no Jenny! I am so sad. I know how hard this can be (we went through this about two years ago and I still feel the loss!). *huge hugs to both you and your husband on your loss*

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    1. Thank you, Ali. I know we'll be feeling this loss for a long time to come, but I'm glad his suffering was minimal:)

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  26. Aw, Jenny, I'm so sorry for your loss. *sending lots of hugs your way*

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  27. He's a gorgeous dog, Jenny. I'm sure he thought he was one lucky dog having you as his mum. :)

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    1. Thank you so much Christy. The breeder sent us his picture when he was born, and we knew he was ours instantly, even when he looked like a weird mole rat with a white face:)

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  28. Ahh Jenny, I am sorry for your loss. This is a terrible time of year to lose a loved one. My sister just had to have her lab put down last week and it broke my heart, and you know I lost my dog this summer. I know what you are going through. Biggest hugs to you.

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  29. Oh I am so, so sorry for your loss Jenny :( Me and the bf don't have any kids either so our cats ARE our family and I can totally sympathise with your situation *hugs* We said goodbye to our 15 year old cat late last year and I still miss her a lot...especially this time of year! Gatsby was a gorgeous dog and I'm sure he knew how loved he was. Sending warm, positive thoughts your way my dear ♥ Thanks for sharing all the lovely photos of him with us! xx

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  30. Oh Jenny! I am so sorry!! You must be heartbroken. Thankfully you have so many years of wonderful memories to help ease the pain.

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  31. So sorry for your loss, Jenny. RIP Gatsby.

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  32. Oh no! I'm so sorry, Jenny. My almost 8 year old dog just had some bloodwork come back with an elevated liver enzyme. Right now the vet isn't concerned other than monitoring it regularly, but it was a scary realization that he's not going to be around forever. Like you, my dog is my only baby and I can't imagine life without him.

    I'm thinking of you...

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  33. Aw! I'm not even a dog person, but I can see from the pictures that he was a sweet animal. So sorry for your loss. :(

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  34. Oh, Jenny. I'm so sorry for your loss, that you lost him during what should be the most festive time of the year. It is so devastating to lose a much beloved pet. They have such dreadfully short lives and you just wish you could have them around forever, you know? Thank you for sharing pictures of your sweet Gatsby with us <3

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  35. Obviously, I'm late reading this post, but I'm so sorry for your loss! Unfortunately, I know what you're going through and I feel so bad for you, your husband and Griffin.

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