07/09/2022
Warning…long post. Our tribute to Gage, MY tribute to MY boy, Gage.
Pic #1 was the view my sweet boy, Gage, would’ve been relaxing and enjoying on the morning that he instead was finding his way to the Rainbow Bridge.
Pic #2 was Gage resting his head in my lap…one of many times, overnight, as I tried to comfort him knowing his journey to the Bridge was already in motion. Many times he would turn his head and check to make sure I was there. I reassured him each time, I’m here, honey. Much of our night was full cuddle, something we both needed.
Gage, ohhhh, my Gage…
He was 6mos old when I got the msg:
his family and vet office that was providing his 10 day hold and the Rescue that had been contacted to help him…were all looking for an alternative for him being sentenced to euthanasia for biting his little human over a stuffed animal.
I was advised: don’t go see him, you’ll fall for him, he’s a cute puppy.
He was SIX MONTHS OLD!!!
I was new to “rescue”, to “sanctuary”, to “saving” those that DESERVED to be saved.
I spent TWO HOURS…TRYING to get this boy to BITE ME!! His Vet came down and asked “what do you think?”, I said, “he’s a VERY mouthy puppy!”. She said, ya, but he’s a puppy.” And I said, ”yes, he IS a puppy. Put me on the list of where he can go after his 10day hold.”
AT the end of his 10day hold, I received a call…I was his ONLY option, WE (A Pawsitive Outlook) were his ONLY option, when could I pick him up? (He was “home” that day!)
Gage was blessed because WE had A Pawsitive Outlook for his future!!!! And boy were we blessed to have this boy in the mix of our pooches throughout his years with us!!
There was not one person OR pooch that was not happy to have been in Gage’s presence. This pup LOVED everyone!!!
And boy oh boy did he find the hearts of a number of our pooches!!! There were so many connections, but none more special than his friendship with Parker.
Those that have followed A Pawsitive Outlook, know that Parker was a VERY special boy, someone had treated him in a way that he could no longer trust pretty close to anybody. Parker and Gage had an instant connection. Parker, so unsure who he could trust, human or canine, and Gage not really understanding what was expected of him…. These two romped and tumbled in the snow and had sooooo much fun…until Parker developed an ear infection. Gage wanted to play, Parker did not.
The absolute ONE thing I wish I could change, in hindsight for Gage, is catching Parker’s ear infection. Gage never stopped asking for play, but Parker would never again entertain play from Gage. Now…I KNOW that these two boys met and played as soon as Gage made it to the Rainbow Bridge! And ALL of our other pooches WELCOMED and ASKED for play when they greeted Gage at the Bridge!!
On the human side…hindsight, ohhh hindsight. Not too long after Gage made his way to us, I had an opportunity to have my grandson spend the weekend so my granddaughter could have a special weekend with my son and daughter-in-law. I wasn’t sure how Gage would react to another small human, and had the mindset of that having once bitten, would run the risk of biting again. Then Gage heard my grandson crying and Gage was soooooo caaaareful approaching my grandson, sooooo, sooooooooooo careful. Hindsight.
The ABSOLUTE BIGGEST MISTAKE I made…was NOT giving Gage his own family. Learning about canine/human behavior and having experienced years of interaction with special pooches, how I wish I could go back a give BETTER to my pups, better to Gage!!
Thank you to Gage’s family (and their vet office) for searching and insisting that there has to be an alternative to euthanasia for their boy.
Thank you to Great Pyrenees Rescue of Wi (GPRW) for referring this boy to us, he had our heart from day one!! And you knew he would!! If only we could have them forever?!?!❤️🐾❤️
