04/11/2023
Hello: I’m Gatsby. Dad bought me in 2014 and I lived another 8 years with Christopher meza until 4/10/2023. I was a very happy dog, and made sure every other dog in the neighborhood knew it! I barked hours a day and ran around outside because there was so much more room and dad wouldn’t get mad if I made messes. I hated dog beds, so dad stopped feeding them to me a long time ago. I prefer to make a nest in the dirtiest laundry I can find, even if it's not Chris's, and I have to drag it across the house. I didn't know how to be pet…so if you pet me, I’d wiggle everywhere and act like you were attacking me: just for fun tho. I had to be really tired or asleep if you wanted to pet me like a normal dog. I didn't care what you fed me, but I had to eat ALL of it. Even on easter. I never bit anyone to hurt them. When it came to other dogs and people, everything was a game. I got bit several times roughousing with much bigger dogs, but I never got mad and always wanted to play again later. I did not fight anyone, but made alot of dogs mad because I wanted to win at food. Food was not allowed to be around because birds might come. I hated birds. I kept all the birds away from my house all the time, and never let them land anywhere. In my last days, my favorite place to rest was in the middle of the pool cover, like a hammock…so I could lift my head and see dad’s window when he was working, or the sliding glass door when it was time for more food. I needed my toys spread out in the farthest parts of the yard and living room hidden, in case someone tried to take them. When I wanted to hang out with dad, I spent most of my time in his bed, in a nest made with his blankets. Dad needed protection 24/7…so if he left them room: I came too. If dad was working on something in the garage or carport: I needed to be there. The only times I wanted to be away was if I could try and find anything that might have fallen off the counter near the cutting station in the kitchen…food cannot be allowed to survive (or chewies, or rocks, or papers, or cotton balls, or wood, or anything else I can get my mouth around.) Dad hated this, but I never changed. Sometimes I would bring him things, but mostly I would bring things to him and throw them across the room so I could bring them back and dad would throw them more, or for them to tug on until I got tired. I liked to watch tv, like the humans did. I hated game of thrones because horse noises make me wanna attack the tv. I was a good dog, I just didn't wake up on Monday afternoon for food.
Chris- I am a very strict and careful dog owner, because I have spent so much of my career cleaning up after other people’s lives during what must be a difficult transition: when they can no longer pay a mortgage. Sometimes this makes me sound detached or unfeeling, but only because I hate seeing what happens when they are neglected, abused, or used in a way that disrespects their being. Gatsby was very happy on Easter, and his passing was a complete surprise. I’m still grieving, but writing this memorial was helpful, if difficult. Gatsby had the best life I could provide, and I’m going to miss him alot. I had him cremated at the eastwood animal hospital before closing monday.
Thanks, in advance, for your kind regards.
