A tribute to Gene

This week as not been the best week for Doug and I. We had to make the hardest decision in anyone's life. Our oldest Golden "Gene" was a retired service dog that we adopted when he was five. He was returned from his client as they could no longer take care of him. "Gene" walked into our lives a big woolly bear and remained that big woolly bear to us for 6 years. Gene continued to work for PAWS by doing educational programs for the general public. His favorite was the senior citizens homes as he got to wander and they all just swooned over him. He also was the resident puppy trainer. Whenever we had a foster puppy that needed to learn a "dog lesson" they came home with us and well Gene worked his magic. He worked hard and played hard. We loved him with all of our hearts. Tuesday was a very sad day and an end to an icon for PAWS. Gene was let go to take his walk over the rainbow bridge. He was ridden with cancer and there was nothing we could do for him but let him have some peace. He will be returned to Doug and I and we plan to scatter his ashes at his favorite place in the entire world. Lake Michigan. A lovely cottage that another raiser has graciously shared with many of us. He would have moved in if we would have let him.

So forgive me for taking a blog entry to honor his memory. He was our soul. We miss him deeply.