It was a sunny and warm, late May morning when I went for a walk. I went south of town into an area of farms and rolling fields. The freshly planted corn and soybean fields yielded more than a distraction from a day of heavy studies. In the midst of my walk I saw a small black dot coming towards me as I traversed the countryside. It turned out to be one of the greatest joys of my life. Someone had dumped a three month old lab mix out in the country. He followed me some four miles until we got home. I scrambled up some eggs and got a couple of slices of toast to feed him. Then it was bath time. Whatever he had gotten into on his adventures was ripe. That was 13 1/2 years ago when Gus became my best friend and companion.

A year ago, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. Gus was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the lower spine. He was finally showing signs of break through pain and he rushed him to the vet to see if anything else could be done. The vet offered to do exploratory surgery to see the state of the tumor’s growth. Gus as on the operating table when the worst-case scenario was discovered. The cancer was ravishing his entire body. I decided then to let Gus go in peace. Since his passing I have taken to going on daily Gus Memorial Walks with my other dog, a border collie mix, Lady Girl. Gus’s death has been extremely hard on both Lady Girl and I. However, we are both enjoying our walks and I have found a new appreciation for the simpler aspects in life.

Debbie from IL