Gunner was a German Shepherd on the outside with the personality of a golden retriever. He loved anyone and everyone and only wanted to be with his family. His dad, Travis, got Gunner in 2014. He brought laughter and joy we didn’t know was missing. When Gunner’s dad met his mom, Meriah, Gunner instantly had two brothers, Hank the Great Dane and Bo the Yorkie. Gunner was always leading the way or at your feet. He left a little bit of him everywhere he went (hair and love). Even today we still find hairs around and a that brings a smile to our faces.
Gunner developed IVDD and had difficulty walking. He went through spinal surgery at UGA in 2022 to correct the issue. Unfortunately after surgery Gunner never regained use of his back legs. That is when he was custom fitted for his wheelchair. His first time in it, he immediately flipped over. In true Gunner fashion we went from worried to laughing. We didn’t know how to care for a paralyzed dog, but we learned.
Shortly after Gunner lost his big brother Hank to cancer. A huge hole was left in our hearts.
Gunner’s human little brother Colton was born in 2022 and he was the best big brother. He just wanted to be next to him. Throughout his struggles and no longer being able to follow us room to room, the joy in his eyes never left. At his core he was always happy.
In late 2022 we lost Gunner’s other brother Bo to another form of cancer. Gunner was our only dog in the home. Although he couldn’t physically walk, he stepped up to the plate and brought even more love.
Gunner spent his last two years of life in a wheelchair but that did not slow him down. He loved his family, his squeaky toys, riding in the golf cart and chasing a laser pointer. He wanted to be right next to us, even if that meant panting while laying next to a heater because his mommy was cold. He was a picky eater, the only dog I’ve ever seen who would take a whole steak and then walk away, drop it, and sniff it and check it out before slowly eating. He was the best dog, one of a kind and brought something to our lives that we will always miss. God puts the right people, pets and opportunities in front of us when we need it most and for us, that was Gunner. He taught us patience, understanding and most of all unconditional love. We love you so much Gunner and know you are running free now with your brothers.
We hope this wheelchair brings some sense of joy and freedom to another pup. We are so thankful for the team at UGA vet hospital for all their care for Gunner and Bo and Hank. We are forever grateful for the extra time we had with all of them.
