Gertie's Memorial
August 3, 2012
It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell the story of Miss Gertie. Today was her last day with us and we are more sad than we thought possible. I'd like to share her story with everyone so that her legacy for "Senior Saints" can continue on.
About 4 months ago, Amanda and I drive down to Bakersfield rescue to two Saints from their shelter. It was there that Gertie was brought out to us looking as sad, lonely, scared and disheveled as a dog could be. You could see in her eyes the look of a dog that had just about given up hope. Without any real info on this ol' gal, we could only guess that she was a "rode hard & put away wet" 10-12 year old. Somehow though, Gertie had the sweetest and most desperate eyes and she hung in there for the long ride home to Napa.
We brought Gertie into our home, our ranch and our family. Our Saint Frankie wasn't very excited to meet her, but with a lot of help, encouragement and guidance, Frankie learned how to be a good foster brother and host. Other than being almost deaf, once Gertie learned that Frankie was in charge, everything was a piece of cake.
Everybody loves a puppy, so it's hard for some to understand the benefits of a senior dog. They're already potty trained, they're incredibly grateful for anything they get, and they settle in quickly. In the short 4 months that we had with her, we fell in love with her. She stole our hearts and we figured that she just might not get adopted.
The hardest part of fostering/adopting senior dog is that you pretty much know the time line ahead. The best part? Everyday is a blessing. Every little walk they go on, every friend they make, every meal they eat, they are as happy as can be. Gertie & Frankie became so popular on our walks, cars would slow down and stop to tell us how beautiful they are.
It was an honor to have her. Miss Gertie passed away today, with us at our ranch, at her home. We don't know how old she really was or what a rough life she'd had, but we'd hoped that if she went, it would be peaceful. This was her time, she'd had enough. We hoped that if anything happened, we would be there with her and it would be easy and painless. Thank goodness today wasn't all that bad. Gertie's getting all the snacks, brushing, petting, loving and friends at the Rainbow Bridge. I know she deserved it.
I want to say thank you to all our friends at Sunny Saints who helped get Gertie out of the shelter that she would've just been left to die at, a place that declared her "unadoptable". No statement could have been further from the truth. She was an angel, the cutest little booger who probably made the most beautiful puppies.
I know that Frankie is excited to be an only child again, but I bet he's really gonna miss her snoring. Damian & I loved Miss Gertie so much, everyday. If given the choice, I'd do it all over again. I believe that her last four months with us were the best of her life.
Good bye Gertie, we'll love you & miss you always.
-Jojo & Damian