Farewell Handsome Boy

Our family lost an old friend Friday. He wasn't living in our home anymore, but he still had a warm spot in all of our hearts.

In 2003 Emily and I adopted Gabriel. He was about 1 1/2 years old then. He was full of energy and Emily loved on him nonstop. Caleb was born and Gabe still fit right in, laying next to Caleb on his blankets on the floor and sticking his snout in the crib to sniff the baby smells.

Then Ben was born in 2005. Life became too busy for us to give Gabe the attention he needed, and it became clear that he deserved a better home. One where he would get walked more often and loved on like he needed.

About a year and a half ago Gabe moved out. He moved out and moved up. His new family treated him like royalty. We could not have asked for a better home for him where he would be loved and cared for. Unfortunately he got sick shortly after he moved out. His liver began to fail him, and that eventually took his life.

Emily wrote a poem for Gabe in 2003, and some of the lines from it are below (she did it with dog themed fridge magnets, so we don't have a copy anymore, but she remembered much of it).

Thanks for all the good memories Gabe. Backpacking, taking baths on the back deck, fetching every day after work, Emily putting banana stickers between your eyes, finishing off her yogurts, and many more. You won't be forgotten.





Faithful cuddle wag
Happy Lap sleeper
Wet-nosed lovely friend.
Growling always beg asks barks
Happy lap sleeper
Quiet snuggle hound

Black shed pal, Retrieves his stick (These were lines I added later, against Emily's wishes, but they were so true)