I figured this would be the best way to let those of you who don't know that Gus died this afternoon at about 1 PM.
He had started getting older and grayer over the years but it seems like he went from elderly to old very quickly. About a month ago, he started having thyroid issues and lost about 20 pounds. At the end of June, my dad took him to the vet and they determined that his lymph nodes were swollen, and that he probably had lymphoma. The only way to test for this was to take out one of his lymph nodes, but due to his weight loss we weren't sure he would even survive the surgery and come back from the anesthesia.
We decided just to let nature take it's course, and it turned out to be the right decision because the cancer spread quickly and this weekend, two weeks later, he was unable to stand up. Even last week he was still able to move around and go outside. It's amazing what a week can do. Now, he had curled up in the bathroom and hadn't stood up for three days. I went to see him last night and he could hardly raise his head, but still was wagging his tail and looking around. His back legs no longer worked. This morning my parents and I decided to call his regular vet, who came to the house so we wouldn't have to move him.
We decided we didn't want him to go from being uncomfortable to being in severe pain. We made the decision that it was selfish to keep him lying on the floor, unable to eat or go to the bathroom. So with us petting him, he drifted off to sleep. The vet said that he filled the syringe with enough sodium pentathol for an 80 pound dog (he was down to about 50 pounds). By the time he injected 20 pounds' worth of the drug, Gus was gone. It was most definitely his time.

I know that Gus was a part of many peoples' lives, and I am so glad that so many of you were able to share him with us.

I will miss how happy he was when he was at the barn, wallowing in the mud and turning completely black, or when Brooke & Megan threw him and Frieda an impromptu "wedding." I will always remember how he was the "Walmart greeter," always ready to say hello to anyone who came through the barn. He loved everyone there so much.

He was my best friend since I was thirteen, and I will miss everything about him.

We'll miss you, Jeeps.

Sleep Jeeps
June 25, 2004

Sleep, Jeeps --
The day's been long
You've run and chased
And carried on.
Go to the world,
Far, far away
Where you trot through fields
And sniffle the hay.

Sleep, Jeeps --
For tomorrow is soon.
Sleep quietly in dreamland
Under the moon
Nestled high upon
Your cushioned bed
With squirrels and jackrabbits
Afloat in your head.

Sleep, Jeeps --
Neatly fold up your paws
Tuck in your tail
As your deep breath draws
Your eyes may be tired
As you lay down your head
But let "Sleep, Jeeps" be
The last words you hear said.