The Wonder Dog

Tuesday afternoon, I am walking to class and all of a sudden I get a phone call from my sister. She is coming today to visit, so I figure that she has questions on what to bring or what not. I answer and she is hysterically crying. All of a sudden I hear her mumble, "Derek! Mom... and Dad... had to.. put down Shasta!!!". My heart stopped. "I will call you back in five minutes." I turned right around and walked back to my dorm. It took every ounce of my being to not lose it. Once I got back to my room I lost it, I am tearing up right now just writing this.

We got Shasta when I was barely three years old, I do not know life without her. She was the most amazing best friend a guy could ask for. Last night I just laid in bed thinking of all the times she has been there for me. She would rush to the door when someone knocked and would smile as she greeted them. Many people thought it was a snarl but it was a loving smile. She would walk outside and cruise the neighborhood while we were not home. Everybody loved her.

I got an e-mail from my mom. She said that she had been really struggling the past few months. Her legs would give out, she was getting sores all over, and her eyes started twitching. They brought her to a vet and the vet proposed a brain tumor. At Shasta's age of 16, what on Earth could they possibly do? My Mom said it well, "She was too good of a dog to suffer like that." She was so right, but I wish I could have just said good-bye. I miss her so much. That night everyone in my family called, and my Dad called last. He broke down while on the phone with me. One of few times I have heard this. He spent her last weekend with her at her favorite place in the world, the cabin.

I know it was her time to go, I am just so upset I couldn't say good-bye.

Shasta, may you rest in peace, and please know that I will always love you.

RIP
Shasta "The Wonder Dog" Gardner
1/9/93 - 10/21/08
What is a man to do without his best friend?
A house without a dog is not a home.








The Gardners lost a family member Tuesday, not a pet.