Gus was a true companion. His life centered around us. He was careful to try to love each of us equally and not show favoritism. He was there when we laughed, when we cried, and ESPECIALLY when we were eating. The only two things in the world Gus did not consider edible were green olives and lettuce. Gus loved everyone, and he was really REALLY happy to meet and greet everyone. He went to pet day at school a number of times (once trying to jump on a black Lab about 3 times his size). He was a favorite at the kennel where we boarded him during our summer vacation.
Gus knew just about every trick in the book, refusing only to "roll over". "Stay" was difficult but he could do it if there was a reward involved. He was always ready to play fetch, tug-of-war, chase...and eventually we also had a cat Bonzai that liked him, and they played together (the other cats had always been disgusted). He loved to go on walks, long walks, although in his later years he'd have to be carried home.
Gus knew how to "speak" but he also talked to us...if we played a trick on him, he would jump on top of his kennel to make himself taller and say "oooooooooorrr" ("that's not funny"). On the way to the vet's office he barked non-stop something that sounded like "hurryhurryhurry". In his later years when his eyesight and hearing were failing, he would nap in front of the door, so that when we arrived after school, the door would bump him and he'd know we were home. He loved having a bath, loved just about anything except getting his nails trimmed. He never bit us, ever. He was gentle, good-hearted, and he was our angel. We will always love and miss him.
-Rob, Suzanne, Pete, Kyle
