K9 Gilly

09/11/2020

03/12/2020

They tell you not to cry.

They tell you that it's just a dog, not a human being.

They tell you that the pain will be over.

They tell you that the animals don't know that they have to die.

They tell you that it's important not to let him suffer.

They tell you that you can have another one.

They tell you it's going to happen to you.

They tell you that there is more pain.

But they don't know how many times you've looked into your dog’s eyes.

They don't know how many times you and your dog have looked into darkness alone.

They don't know how many times your dog was the only one who was by your side.

They don't know how much fear you have
at night when you wake up with your grief.

They don't know how many times your dog slept near you.

They don't know how much you've changed since the dog has become a part of your life.

They don't know how many times you hugged him when he was sick.

They don't know how many times you've acted like you didn't see his hair getting whiter.

They don't know how many times you've talked to your dog, the only one who really hears.

They don't know that it was just your dog who knew you were in pain.

They don't know what it feels like to see your old dog trying to get up to say hello.

They don't know that if things went wrong, the only one who didn't go is your dog.

They don't know that your dog trusts you every moment of his life, even in the last.

They don't know how much your dog loved you and how it is enough for him to be happy, because you loved him.

They don't know that crying for a dog is one of the most noble, significant, true, purest and warmest things you can do.

They don't know when the last time you moved him with trouble... making sure it didn’t hurt him.

They don't know what it felt like to pet their face in the last moments of their life....

In Memory of all those who went over the rainbow bridge. You all have a place forever in our hearts 💕

Photo Travis Patenaude.
- author Emanuele Spud Grandi

11/27/2018

This great organization has stepped up to assist in the on-going care of K9 Gunnar.

On this please consider donating to Retired Paws. This story below is just one example of the types of canines we assist on a regular basis. Your donations do great things!!! Facebook and PayPal will match donations up to $7 million dollars during this campaign!!

Every little bit helps.

Thank you for your support.

Please share.

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Retired Minneapolis Police Department dual purpose canine Gunnar served proudly from May of 2013 until his retirement in May of 2015. Recently, K9 Gunnar fell ill and was losing a lot weight. On October 30, 2018, an ultrasound was administered where a mass was discovered on his spleen along with two more masses on his lower intestines.

Emergency surgery was conducted to remove his spleen and to conduct six biopsies. We all know that routine veterinary care can be expensive, so it is no surprise that emergency surgery to remove his spleen was a big financial burden to K9 Gunnar’s family. Retired Paws was happy to pay for this surgery.

Unfortunately, K9 Gunnar was diagnosed with small cell lymphoma in his lymph nodes, small intestine and liver. K9 Gunnar is only 6.5 years old and is a fighter; he began chemotherapy to aggressively treat the cancer. We are all rooting for K9 Gunnar and wish him the best of luck during his treatments. We are hopeful that with his young age and fighting spirit, he will beat this terrible disease.

Please donate to help canines like Gunnar!

We can’t keep assisting these retired heroes without people like you.

05/15/2017

01/25/2016

Today was K9 Gilly's last day.

His body was breaking down and I could see in his eyes that he'd had enough...

For as sad as today was eventually going to be, we tried to fill it with fun times and making some happy memories...

Thank you all for following along in K9 Gilly's journey...I am truly thankful...

He was truly the BEST dog and partner I will ever have...

K9 Gilly, End of Watch 1/24/16...

01/07/2015

07/03/2014

I, as a dog lover and owner couldn't stop crying writing this. Never forget that they are gifts of God for you and so are you, for them.

05/05/2014

POLICE WEEK 2014