12/18/2025
I come here to make this post with an extremely heavy heart. Tonight our beloved hospice dog Gus crossed the Rainbow Bridge 🌈
Gus came to us a year and half ago as a hospice foster. He had heartworm and cancer. No one knew at the time how much time he had left, maybe a few months they said. But they hadn't met the Gauthier family. After 3 months the foster situation turned into a free adoption. Gus had gained weight, grown most of his balding hair back, and was bouncy and happy. He finally had a home, a family, and a pack who loved him unconditionally.
Gus became our shop dog and very quickly climbed the ladder to shop supervisor. Of all the places in the world, his favorite was the shop. While he slept on the job most of the time, he was luck to be able to trust Roland Gauthier to keep things going and the business moving. For some reason, Nate Gauthier ended up under his watchful supervisors eye most of the time.
Last year Gus had his very first Christmas and birthday in a home with a loving family. We celebrated him like he's never been celebrated before. This year we did not have the chance to celebrate these things. At the beginning of November, Gus was diagnosed with dementia with sundowners. Yes, that is a thing with animals as well. He began wandering aimlessly and staring off into space and not recognizing things and people, including us. With medications his was slightly better. He was more comfortable and his episodes were fewer. But dementia progresses quickly in animals. Recently he started have more bad days than good, he started having tremors, and we could tell his body was growing weak.
Yesterday we made the tough decision that every loving pet parent must make. It was time to send him off peacefully and while he could still remember the faces of those who love him dearly as he quietly journeyed over the Rainbow Bridge. Tonight, around 6:30PM, Gus made that journey. We are comforted not only by each other but also with the knowledge that Gus had the best life for the last year and a half. Our other comfort is knowing how many friends he has to greet him on the other side.
Gus, we love you more than you will ever know. The joy you brought to us can't be measured. Say hello to all of our friends on the other side. Run free and be young and healthy again our goodest boy. We will see you again some day.
