NCCR Feature: Remembering a Friend

NCCR Feature
Stories reflect the soul of our community.

Remembering a Friend

Gatbsy (aka Taz) Gatsby came into our care in the early spring of this year. When he arrived, he was very nervous and shook continually. All of our volunteers spent extra time with him and he quickly came around. He was very loving with all people and liked to play with the other dogs.

Gatsby was adopted by the Holbrook family. The Holbrook's had adopted a dog from us, Beanie, a few years prior and thought that it was time for Beanie to have a new brother to share their home with. The Holbrooks fell in love with Gatsby at first site. Gatsby was excited about them, too.

Soon after Gatsby, re-named Taz, went to his new home, he began having seizures. The Holbrooks were very worried about him and we made arrangements for him to go to the vet's for testing. All the tests came back negative. Taz went back home. The Holbrooks had told us that they were committed to him and that no matter what happened they would not turn their backs on him, he was a member of their family now. Several weeks went by with no seizures and we all began to relax.

Then things went wrong.

In early June, Taz had gone into a seizure and this time did not come out of it.The Holbrooks took him to their vet who tried for two full days to stop the seizure without success. The Holbrooks vet recommended having him euthanized (put to sleep) and they called us for our opinion. We were so sad to hear this news. We knew though that after seizing for over 48 hours, Taz would never be the same if he survived and their would always be more. So together with the Holbrooks it was decided that it was in Taz's best interest to have him euthanized. It was a very sad day for all of us.

We know that Taz did not have a good life before he came into our care. All the signs of severe abuse were there. We know in our hearts that his life with his new family was the best life he ever had. His family gave him more love in the short time he was with them then he had experienced in his whole life. They have no regrets about adopting him, either. They feel they were priviledged to have him in their lives even for a short while.

They will never forget him, nor shall we.