Our Shar-pei Mix Named Gooch

by Lynn Learch
(Prunedale, CA)

Gooch entered our lives so unexpectedly at 1 1/2 and lived with us for 12 and 1/2 years. He just died November 20, 2012. We buried him under a woodland oak.

Gooch brought so much affection, joy and amusement. His personality entertwined with ours. I often said Gooch and my husband looked a lot alike.

He loved taking walks (which we did every day), chasing the feral cats, and sleeping on the sofa at night while I watched TV. At bedtime he slept in between my husband and me, and often he would stretch out on our king size bed and push us to the side.

I will profoundly miss his facial expressions, wag of his tail, licks on my face and the thousands of greetings when I arrived home. My heart feels ripped out and is in terrible pain.

I didn't want to let him go yesterday but he could not walk very well and had pain from displasia, and back pain. We carried him up and down stairs and had a support harness for when we went out on walks. My husband could see his suffering but I was in denial.

When the vet euthanized him, he went so quickly. He just sank down in the front car seat half way through the dose.

It is such a heavy burden to lose a beloved companion and friend. We feel their vulnerability so keenly. He depended on me and I wanted him to live forever.

I asked God to keep his soul. When I go to heaven I want to see him again.