We bought our own house in December of 1997 and I said that as soon as summer came, I wanted to get a dog. So on June 6 of that year, I went to the animal shelter and found Gwinnie.
He was the sweetest dog. He had been taken to the pound for the fourth time, picked up by Animal Control in Douglas. When we adopted him, we asked who his previous owners were. They wouldn't tell us, but Charles, who used to be a reporter, read the form upside down and saw that the previous owners lived just down the street from us, and that they had named him "Dawg".
We named him Guinefort, after St. Guinefort, Dog and Martyr, since we had named our children after saints, we thought we should name our dog after a saint as well.
He was such a sweet dog - he was grateful to be in a family at last, and to be taken care of, and loved.
He was 14 when he died. He was just worn out.
I grieved for him. Although we have had other dogs, I don't think I will ever love a dog like I loved him.
Good dog, Gwinnie! Good boy!
Linking up with Theme Thursday at Clan Donaldson and A Favorite Thing at Mockingbird Hill Cottage!
Ohhh..Your Gwinnie is a good dog, he reminds me of my childhood dog, Whiskers, he looked almost the same..he was a good dog too. xo
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeletePaula, this is such a lovely story. Thanks you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
We care for each one differently, according to their personalities. He's a love in that photo for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a loving tribute, and what a beautiful boy Gwinnie was. I teared up reading your words. We lost our babies a few years ago, and it always makes me smile and cry to think of them. I can't bring myself around to adopting again quite yet. We had two terrible/terrific terriers, and I loved them with all my heart. So I can understand loving Gwinnie the way you do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I'm dropping by from Claudia's, and I'm glad to meet another dog lover.
And I'm glad that Gwinnie ended up with you.
XO,
Sheila
So tough to lose a pet! A real cutie too!
ReplyDeleteOh, he looks so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI know so well the heartbreak of loving and then having to say goodbye to a beloved dog. It was so fortunate and meant to be that you found him and gave him a loving home.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in this week.
xo
Claudia
I love your beautiful header.....what a little angel! Heidi
ReplyDeletetoday I woke up to a glorious sunny day...yeah! I pray you did too...Heidi
Such a lovely tribute to your precious Gwinnie.
ReplyDeleteI've had dogs nearly all my life and I have loved them all to the core of my being. But there was one who loved me like no other and because of that devotion I'm sure, he has the biggest place in my heart.
Sending hugs.
Our precious Dorje just turned 14. She was our son's dog and has been with us since she was 1. We can't imagine a life without her. She still cracks us up with her antics. And, she is laying on the sofa right now waiting for me to stop blogging so she can go for a walk on the beach.
ReplyDeleteI so sorry for the loss of your dog. Sometimes it so hard to get over not having your pup around. We have lost our 2 samoyeds last year and I am still lonely for them. Things will get easier but you will always have a special spot for him in your heart.
ReplyDelete