Gilligan
Gilligan's health took a turn for the worse last night and the sad decision was made to let him go. Oh how I cried while I held my boy and told him how much I loved him. I whispered he wouldn't be alone as Shaggy, Blue, Big Dog, Snoopy, Rogers and the others of our household would all be there to greet him. Kaj told him what a good boy he had been and rubbed his head. While his eventual passing was not unexpected the suddeness of making that decision was not expected this soon. Yesterday, as I drove home I noticed a beautiful rainbow in the sky - I haven't seen one since 2001. Unable to pull over I drove aprox 5 mins so I could pull over and grab a camera and headed back...too late the clouds now covered it. Perhaps that was a practise run of the Rainbow Bridge for Gilligan to make his way this morning? Arriving home, the rain had stopped and the sun came out - so Gilligan, Panda and Merlin took a stroll alongside me in the backyard. I smiled when Gilligan who always lagged behind - stopped to smell the flowers. I'm so grateful to have known and shared my life with this gentle soul who got a second chance at life - thanks to all his friends here at OES. I'll never forget that call from the SPCA that morning....begging me to take that ole guy that had arrived and was in Isolation. He was old and the Humane Society had just picked up 20 pups in a cruelty seizure that same day. Unable to spend the funds for medical treatment for him - he would have to be euthanized they told me, unless I could take him. The SPCA doesn't normally call people to take their animals but I had been a long time foster parent and they knew I especially loved OES. I said I couldn't take him as I already had three male dogs at home and thought bringing in an intact male just was impossible. Under normal circumstances the SPCA would never allow an intact animal out of their shelter but they knew I could be trusted. I was also in transition moving from my former residence to my new one. I called OES rescues but in the end I realized that I could bring him to my former residence and stay with him (while my boys were with Kaj in the new place). That way I consoled myself he wasn't dying alone in Isolation at a shelter and I would give him the best 3 wks of his life and stay with him at the vets to say goodbye. Well....you all know what happened next. It was as a result of the kindness of the OES members here who chipped in for a much needed biopsy to see if the lump in his mouth was cancer. It wasn't. He was given a new lease on life!!! He didn't need to be euthanized!!! Eventually the original 3 wks extra time turned into a couple years of which he lived life fully, was loved and had friends. Gilligan not only worked his magic on me but on the other animals in our household. The others fully accepted him from day one. The cats, bunnies and even chickens (I'm sure that Gilligan had never been around cats before) learned to trust him. At 3 am I sat with Gilligan on a blanket in the middle of our living room....he laid his head on my lap and sighed deeply, Merlin sat next to him and Panda laid beside him. Mama Kat my ancient 19 yr old cat laid on my lap too, their bodies touching and Lil Girl sat on the coffee table above him. Oh Gilligan - this reminded me so much of Shaggy who I always referred to having a good death...surrounded by those who loved her. At 8 am we drove Gilligan to the vets after I called them when it became apparent he was having a hard time. They allowed us to sit with him for 2 hours on a big comfy blanket after giving him a sedative so he was comfortable. We kissed and hugged until it was time. You will be forever in my heart and Godspeed Gilligan. I love you. See over there Gilligan ...it's heaven and that's where all good dogs go...you have nothing to fear.  |
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so sorry for the loss of your loved one.  |
| What a blessing to have had the beautiful creature named Gilligan in your life. And also a blessing to be able to give him the gift of a wonderful goodbye when the time came. Linda Zimmerman |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. Everyone of these furkids holds a special place in our hearts. |
| I am so sorry for your loss.... |
| oh i hated seeing this i felt like gilligan was are boy .. thanks to you he ended up have a great life and he was loved my you and your fur family |
| I'm so sorry he's gone, but rejoice in the time he spent in your Earthly Heaven for Needy Animals. You gave him life, love and a family. I'm sorry more time wasn't part of the equation, but you maximized what was available. |
| My heart aches for you and Kaj. peg & howie |
I found and joined the forums not long before Gilligan was rescued by you and this forum. I was extremely impressed by everyone involved and thought what super people. Of course like everyone else I followed every Gilligan update since. He was vien almost 2 mroe years of life because of you and the forums. And from all the pictures and stories, they were definitely the best time of his life. We should ALL be so lucky to be given such love and such sincere care and attention in our twilight years. Of course it's very sad to hear of Gilligan passing over the bridge. But it can't help but be tinged with happiness. He could have been euthanized in 2010 unnoticed, unloved, and unmourned. He wasn't. And for that I am very grateful to Marianne and the wonderful animal lovers at oes.org.   |
| I'm so sorry for your loss of Gilligan, Marianne. He was able to touch everyone's heart with just a mention of his name, I can't imagine how deeply embedded into yours he has become. Rest easy and in comfort, Gillian. |
It always breaks my heart to read about these wonderful pets that cross. I don't think anyone her has not experienced the profound loss  Marianne and Kaj, you have my deepest sympathy. Gilligan was lucky you all found each other.  I hope Gilligan will play with all my wonderful furkids that crossed as well. Nobody suffering just happy, healthy and playing. |
| You gave Gilligan a wonderful last few years of life and he will be missed Our thoughts are with you and your fur-family |
| I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You all obviously loved him very much! The rainbow was such a nice welcome for your boy! |
| So sorry for your loss |
| Oh Marianne, so sad to hear about Gilligan's passing. But you gave that guy the best last two years of his life! He knew he was loved and cared for. Hope he looks up my kids at the bridge, they will love playing with him! |
| Thank you Marianne and Kaj for loving and caring for Gilligan . It feels like I have lost one of my "own" today and I can only imagine how hard it was for the two of you to say goodbye to this wonderful soul. Run free Gilligan. You have touched a lot of hearts in the short time we've known you and you will never be forgotten. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. |
| Marianne: So sorry to hear of Gilligan's passing. I know he's smiling down on you now. |
| Thank you for sharing Gilligan's story. He felt your love everyday, as I know you felt his. Its so hard right now. I'm sorry for his passing. |
| So sorry for your loss Goodspeed Gillligan RIP |
| So very sorry for your loss of sweet Gilligan He knew joy, much love and extreme happiness these last two years because of you. Rest in peace sweet Gilligan |
| So sorry to read this. You and Kaj gave Gilligan the best years of his life. He will remember the love and kindness you gave him and he will be there to greet you along with the ones that went before. |
| Marianne: I am so sorry for your loss off sweet Gilligan. I so remember when you took him in and he grew in all of our hearts. I loved hearing storys about that special boy. Gilligan is going to be dearly missed. Tears, |
| I'm so very sorry Marianne and Kaj. |
| Hugs Marianne. You were blessed to have found each other. Gilligan found the best home with you that any animal could hope for x |
| I am so sorry to hear about Gilligan but so glad that his last years were wonderful for all of you. You gave him such a wonderful loving home. Carleys Mom |
| Because of you Marianne- Gilligan knew love and security. It's never easy, but your sweet boy is now smelling the flowers in a beautiful place. |
| I'm so sorry, Marianne and Kaj, to hear of sweet Gilligan's passing. You can take comfort in the fact that he knew how very much he was loved in his final years, and I'm sure he gave just as much love back. RIP, dear boy. Say hello to Drezzie for me. |
| I am so sad to hear this news. He will be missed. |
| So sorry for your loss |
Not Gilligan............  I feel like I lost my own dog. I loved him and I never met him He was "OUR" dog. I am so sorry. |
| I am so sorry for your loss. Gilligan was such a special boy. You were so lucky to have had the opportunity to love him; but he so lucky to have had your love as well. He will be missed. God speed Gilligan. |
| I'm so sorry for your loss of Gilligan. Cindy |
| Just before you log on there is a little blurb to tell you the new posts. I saw Gilligan and thought "oh cool, another Marianne story about him"...never in my wildest dreams did I think this. Marianne and Kaj, I know we did not have the physical care of Gilligan but we had the emotional care. Though I never met him, through you I knew him and for that I can't thank you enough. He had the best last years of his life because of you God bless you. RIP Gilligan. |
| God bless gilligan Sheepie hugs to you all |
| It's so sad to learn of Gilligan's passing. There are a lot of good memories in the short time he lived with you so keep those in the front of your mind. Thanks for taking this sad soul into your hearts and home and loving him like he probably never had been loved before. You made a difference in his life and for that you can be very proud. |
| A beautiful moving tribute to a beautiful soul. I am so thankful for the time you shared together and my heart goes out to you and your family. He will be missed but never forgotten. |
| My heart is aching for you. I will remember Gilligan's story forever. He was truly blessed to spend his last years with you. Godspeed Gilligan, my all the oes.org sheepies of the past be romping with you at the Rainbow Bridge. I bet the flowers smell fantastic there. Big hugs to you Marianne |
| I feel like I knew him well...so sorry for your heart break..so glad you gave him the love he deserved |
| I'm so sorry for your loss. |
| Godspeed, Gilligan. You will be missed, but know that you touched our hearts. |
| Thank you so much for providing comfort to Kaj and myself during our grieving process. Your words and kind thoughts have been uplifting and you guys are right..he wasn't just mine , I considered him, "OURS". His resiliance and gentle soul touched us all. I'm just happy he didn't suffer although he had many ailments he was such a trooper. Every morning he loved to do his "walkabout" around the yard, despite having declining eye.sight and his bad hips. I will miss his shuffing lolling walk. Kaj and I use to smile when he attempted to keep up with his brothers. He especially motored quickly when he heard the rattle of the kibbles being prepared for breakfast and dinner. Even the last night of his life he still had a healthy appetite, still asked to go out for bathroom breaks and was aware of his surroundings. Last week I laughed as I gave him a shower as unlike his brothers Gilligan loved stepping in the shower and would lay down and loved warm water flowing over him. That slow growing fibroid mass in his mouth seemed to multiply tenfold almost overnight. I'm not sure what happened if it split open or ? The previous day, I thought perhaps he nicked his mouth on one of his marrow bones he liked and had made an appointment for this coming Saturday for a complete geri panel but I hadn't panicked as while he had old age affirmities nothing in his behavior or disposition gave me reason to panic. That last night however, I noticed he appeared restless and knew something wasn't quite right so decided to spend the night on the couch so I can keep an eye on him. At 3 am he gave me such a long gaze...that in that instant " I knew". I tried to deny it but it was Gilligan who appeared to be the one that kept telling me it was alright by his behavior. It was then I got on his blanket to sit with him and the other pets followed suit. I think they knew too. I gave Gilligan a pain med which the vet had previously given me to use occasionally if his hips were bothering him. At 7 am I called the vet and they called me back immediately and told me to come in when we were ready. Kaj and I both agreed that we would not hesitate to do whatever it took to save his life..however by the time we laid on that big comfy duvet the staff had laid out for Gilligan we both knew it was his time. We didn't want him to suffer as we felt a lump in his throat..it hadn't been there last week as I would have noticed it when I washed him. It hadn't even been there 2 days before when I trimmed his beard or I would have noticed it. His fibroid mass had appeared to what I can only describe as blown up or breaking open in such a short time. We didn't want him to suffer. I hope I'm not being too graphic here but I do want his friends here to know he had a wonderful time and life and it was only on his last night that he was uncomfortable and the pain med was given so he slept with all his friends around him. At the vets he was given a sedative and again he was comfortable...the vet whom I trust so much and I know loved this special boy also said nothing more could be done and it was his time as none of us wanted him to feel pain. They let us stay with him for 2 hours on that comfy duvet with him to say our goodbyes. It was peaceful. Thank you all so much for giving him that second chance ....as while I've shed a thousand tears I take solace he didn't die that day alone in Isolation as the Shelter. He was loved by so many and surrounded by friends and he made a difference. He had that second chance as I wish all dogs would get. Thanks to OES.org that made his dreams possible as I think he wished for a home where he was loved and cared for...and you all made his dreams come true. Already I have memories of Gilligan and his flowers...oh how he loved them and he would stop and smell them all on his walkabouts. In the winter when none were around..he smelled shrubs. Thank you Gilligan for showing us all that sometimes we need to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy life. |
| Gilligan sounds like a great dog that was lucky enough to have an equally great home. He will surely be missed and thought of often. Sorry for your loss. |
| Tearing up again. Thank you, Marianne, for giving Gilligan the home & love he craved his whole life. You were his angel. And I think he taught us all something about life. Godspeed, Little Buddy. You will be missed. |
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| I am so sad reading this , yep t does bring tears to ones eyes. You gave him the best two years that he could ever have. There is no love like that of an old dog. I am sure he is happy at the bridge with all who have gone before him . My thoughts are with you |
| your description was beautiful...every time i smell a flower, i will think of gilligan.... |
Darcy wrote: your description was beautiful...every time i smell a flower, i will think of gilligan.... I agree and reading your posts has made me cry again, but I know how much he was loved, that does ease the pain a little. |
| Gilligan was so lucky to have you Marianne. He had a wonderful last few years!! |
| RIP Gilligan. Thank you for giving him another chance, and making the last years of his life happy and loved...xxxx |
| Having a hard time writing in between the tears....I am so sorry for your loss |
| I am so sorry for your loss. Gilligan was a sweet boy. You are an amazing person and an amazing animal lover by far. The way you shared the story of Gilligan's last hours with you has me in tears and with a lump in my throat. Brings back memories of how it feels to lose one of our beloved animals. |
| Marianne, I'm so sorry. And yet what a beautiful story. He was so fortunate to have you cross his path. If not...Thanks to you he was able to live out his life and knew he was deeply loved till his very last breath and beyond. Kristine |
| I'm so sorry to hear of Gilligan's passing Marianne. Wishing you happy memories and a peaceful heart. |
| Thank you Marianne for giving Gilligan a second chance he was so loved by all. I feel like I knew him. I'm writing this tears in my eyes. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| He was special and lucky to be with you. So sorry to read about your loss |
| So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your Gilligan and what a fantastic photo! Sending our thoughts and prayers... |
| Marianne. I just saw this. I'm so sorry for your loss. You were the best dog-mom Gilligan could have ever dreamt of having. |
| oh..Marianne..I am so sorry for OUR loss~~~Gilligan was OUR dog!! Because of you, we were able to help in a very special way. I loved hearing about his antics..and your love for each other. That picture is so perfect. I do believe that all dogs go to heaven. They have to!!! And looking at that picture, I could almost see Heaven and the Rainbow Bridge. I will look up in the sky tonight and I will know the brightest star will be Gilligan, letting ALL of us know, he is where he belongs, painfree and waiting to meet all of us when our time comes. |
| He was indeed such a special soul and really was all of ours at OES. As hard as it was to say goodbye - I'd do it again in a heartbeat. One day, I'll once again have room in my home and heart and will open it up to another in need as a tribute to those who passed before. The time you all took to comfort me is much appreciated - again thank you to each and everyone of you. Marianne |
| I am so sorry for your loss. It's hard to say goodbye. He'll always stay alive in your heart. |
| Thank you so much I want to share a handwritten note that arrived in my mailbox today. It was from my wonderful vet whom cared for Gilligan or "Gilly" as Grannie Annie referred to him; What a grand woman Grannie Annie is...she took special interest in Gilligan and had numerous conversations with Dr. Armstrong and both were impressed with one another. Here's the letter: Gilligan was given a chance with you in a happy loving home. He was a special boy with a great personality. He will be missed. Take Care Dr. Armstrong DMV |
| I'm so sorry to hear about your loss |
CamVal1 wrote: Not Gilligan............ I feel like I lost my own dog. I loved him and I never met him He was "OUR" dog. I am so sorry. Exactly my thoughts... he was a forum dog for sure. Thank you for taking care of him.. sending love. |
| Thank you Miss M and Heather. You're right he was OUR dog as I felt he was shared amongst all the members who got to know him through that first sad post , our members working together, and later through updates allowing you to know this gentle boy. How much of a difference that made to him because you all cared to step up contribute to his much needed biospy that gave him a chance to live out his days and grow old with me. The best was yet to come. I miss him so much. Heather, you were so instrumental in setting up the original funds that helped to save Gilligan , and to all the other members who contributed. He was all of OURS because of all of you. I also wanted to thank NEOESR, Grannie Annie, and all those involved with this wonderful organization. With year round fundraisers these tireless workers make a difference in a dog's life. Today, I received a letter in the mail from NEOESR expressing their condolences. This organizations and others are responsible for saving so many lives and because of them they make a difference. The work they do is so important in saving many others like Gilligan. As one member of this board so beautifully said...he didn't die that day in the shelter unloved and unmourned. Instead, he became a dog whom we all grew to love and he passed being loved by many. All dogs should have this chance. Thank you so much for giving Gilligan that chance and allowing me the pleasure to know this beautiful soul. |
| Oh my I am tearing. What a touching story. Hope you are at peace now. He is. So many wonderful people on this forum. Thanks for being there for G. |
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