Goodbye Gene


On Friday, September 22, 2006, Gene peacefully went to sleep for the last time. We were able to help him end his life in a dignified way, and halt the suffering he had been experiencing for the last six months or so. It was a difficult decision for us to make, but ultimately it was the right one. After looking through all the old photographs of him and remembering all the stories of how vital he was in his youth, it was hard to justify keeping him alive to appease our pain. He spent so many hours comforting us when we needed it, and it was time to give him permission to go.

Gene was the most gentle, patient and loving dog I have ever known. Despite his terrible start in life being abandoned and abused, he never lost trust in humans. He was the best example of forgiveness and patience I have ever known. Ok, maybe not so patient when there was cheese nearby, but otherwise he was perfect tempered. Perhaps the lesson I was meant to learn from him was that everyone has good in them, and we all deserve second chances in life. Even though he was the one that was rescued, he spent the next 14 years of his life rescuing us.

We love you Gene.

- The Seal Family


Where I adopted Gene from in 1992: http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/RI35.html
Where we found Frankie in October 2005: http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/NY187.html