It is with a heavy heart that I say that Gus, the 12-year old beloved Basenji, passed away last week. I didn’t mention anything about his illness, as we were hoping for more good days and more time with him.
I met Gus about a decade ago when I met Chris (my ex). When Chris and I started sharing our lives together, Gus became my dog, too. When Chris and I split up last year, Gus stayed with Chris. Over the last year, I was lucky enough to get extended “custody” visits while Chris traveled.
Gus suffered from tumors on his spine. They were inoperable and benign. As they grew, they began to effect the movement on one side of his body until it was too difficult for him to get around. Chris made sure he had the very best of treatments. Gus was not in pain.
Here’s what I’ll remember about Gus.
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Gus was a sweet and funny guy. |
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He and Ike were best friends from the moment they met.
Gus was totally the boss, and Ike was cool with that. |
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Gus and Ike were a great team.
Before Chris and I moved in together, both dogs had huge issues with separation anxiety. Once they had each other, they could hardly care less when the humans left the house. |
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The family grew and changed, and every dog that came into the house knew to respect Gus. |
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Unlike other Basenjis I’ve known, Gus enjoyed quiet time on his own.
While everyone else was crowding in for a spot on my lap, Gus could be found happily chillin’, away from the chaos. |
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Gus was a smallish Basenji, and super fast.
It was a nightmare to ever have to catch him when he didn’t want to be caught. |
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Gus lived more places than most people. He was born in Texas, then moved to Detroit. Then Chris was transferred to Seattle, where we met. The four of us (Chris, me, Gus, and Ike) were transferred to The Netherlands. Then it was Houston, with extended stays in Austin with me.
He also traveled across the country in a car several times. He was a super good car dog. |
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His official official name was Augustus Africanis, or something very close.
His full name was Gustopher Wayne. He answered to Gus, Gussy, Gussy Wayne, Baby G – and when he was a puppy, “Dammit Gus!”. (He was a difficult puppy.) |
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Over the last several years, Gus and Ike have both mellowed-out and become more predictable dogs. No more worrying about someone eating the sofa, ripping up carpet, or hiding a toilet brush in the bed. |
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Basenjis are “barkless”, but Gus was quiet even by Basenji standards. When he was super happy he would wag his tail and make an excited little whine – but he never “barooed”.
I always said that the only time Gus would make a noise is when someone stepped on him, which was pretty accurate. |
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He was both sweet and demanding.
He would gently bite anyone who dared to stop petting him. |
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There are lots of people who are going to miss Gus and his big personality.
Chris and I both miss him very much. |
I’d like to end this post on a happy note. This is how I’ll remember him most. Gus had a great sense of humor. While he was truly frightened by a few things – children, thunderstorms, and bouncing balls….there were a few things he pretended to hate for the comedy factor – pepper, chapstick, and spray bottles.
Here’s a little video of Gus reacting to chapstick.
aw, thanks for sharing all of this, staci. i know you and chris will miss him lots. i know i do.
take care. 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs for you and your fur people.
I know its trite, but it really does help (after a while) to imagine them young again, free of pain and waiting for us. It is so hard to let them go, they ask so little of us. Letting them go is pure love for another being.
Peace Staci
My heart just broke a little for you. Love to you and all who loved Gus, from me and my half-breed Basenji mutts. xoxoxo
I’m so sorry for your loss, Staci. Thanks for sharing Gus with us.
Noooooo! I’m so sorry. Hell, I’ll miss him too.
(And I find his fear of children sort of hilarious)
Hugs for everyone.
I’m so sorry Staci. What a great dog.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I’m sending lots of warm thoughts and prayers your way. I agree with the others here….thank you for sharing Gus with all of us!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cuddle the others as you remember him.
🙁 *sniff* So sorry Staci.
so sorry for your loss. losing a pet is very difficult. hang in!
Aw, Staci, what an awful couple of weeks you’re having. I’m so sorry. Big hugs to you and the pups.
So sorry to hear about your sad news. What a lovely tribute to a very special dog.
What a great tribute to him. He was a fabulous dog, and I’m honored to have met him and been witness to his awesomeness.
Staci, I’m so sorry; Gus was a real charmer, and I’ll miss seeing him!
Here is a last respect from the Netherlands for the dog Gus on wooden shoes! You made a beautiful memorial for him!
he will be missed. by even those who never met him. 🙁
Oh, Staci, so sorry to hear about Gus. Sending comforting thoughts your way…
I’m so sorry Staci, I know all your dogs were important to you. You took such good care of him through his illnesses.
Peter said that he saw Chris outside this weekend. But when Peter said that there was only one dog, I told him that it couldn’t have been Chris. But I guess it probably was him. I hope Lou is doing okay by himself.
So sorry to hear about Gus! 🙁
I am so so sorry to hear about Gus. Sounds like he was such a good boy, and it’s never ever easy to lose one of the furry friends.
The picture of him relaxing in the potted palm is priceless.
Hugs for you (and Gus’s dog-mates too)!
Staci,
My heart goes out to you and Chris both. It pains me to hear when others lose their family members, and as far as I am concerned, dogs are family members. May he be in peace, running around and happy as he can be. Gus will be watching over you, Lou, Ike, Abe, Tippy & Chris. He’s your Angel.
Huggs
Aw, Stace! I’m so sorry! I know how hard it is to lose doggies, especially the extra special ones like Gus. Thanks for sharing him with us. I’m sure he is chasing tubes of Chapstick all over heaven. Big hugs!
Staci,
I’m so sorry to you and your family for your loss. The video made me laugh in spite of the heaviness in my heart!
Hugs from Seattle,
This is a beautiful “good-bye” to a beautiful boy. we will all remember Gus in your pictures and writings about him and his co-horts. I feel as though I have lost a good friend.
So sorry to hear about your loss, Staci. Because of you and Chris, Gus lived a happy and adventurous life. That is a funny video. Thank you for sharing!
Hugs!
Staci, what a difficult week you’ve had Alwx and now Gus. Thank you for the photo of the little guy and taking us down memory lane. Your the best Staci
Jo Ann
Oh I am so sorry to hear the news. You did a terrific job sharing your stories and photos and videos on your blog and we’ve all got to know him. He certainly had a very good life with you and you’re honoring his life in a very special way.
I can understand how you feel as I’ve been through it too – and I’m going to take a whole bunch more photos because I think that really helps. ((hugs))to you and your doggie gang
~Denise
I am so sorry to hear about Gus, I am sure he will be missed. I loved seeing all the pictures of him. I hope time will heal your pain. Hugs to you and your doggies.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry to hear about it. 🙁
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort with the ones (dogs & humans) you love.
Staci, when my daughter had cancer and we were losing a lot of our friend’s children, I had a favourite sympathy card that read “Sincere sympathy in the loss of someone so very special”.
My sincerest sympathy in the loss of your beloved Gus. There is nothing like the love of a dog to show you what is important in life: you were lucky to have had each other. I’m sorry it’s been such a yucky week for you.
Oh, Staci, I am so sorry.
I was afraid when I saw the shaved patch on Gus’s rump a couple of weeks ago, and more afraid because you didn’t explain. Still, I hoped that whatever was wrong could be treated. I know that he got the best of care, and that he didn’t suffer.
I was so happy when you and Ike met Chris and Gus; is seemed like it was just meant to be. Things didn’t turn out quite like the ‘happily ever after’ I wished for you, but the four of you shared lots of good times, and surely it helps ease the sorrow now to look back on them.
The video of him and Ike scampering away in basenji silliness is especially sweet. Gus had a great life.
My sincere sympathy to you and Chris and to all who loved Gus.
I always love hearing about your guys, and I know you will remember him lovingly…but I’m so sorry to hear that he’s gone. What a tough time for you – but you are handling it with so much grace. Hope you find peace and happier days ahead.
I’m so, so sorry…incredibly shitty week for you. But Gus had a GREAT LIFE! No one could have loved him more. Hang in.
oh staci, this must have been a hard week for you. thanks for sharing about gus– i like and miss him already and i haven’t even met him. sending lots of hugs in your direction.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
That potted palm picture is priceless! I’m so sorry for your loss~I know from experience how hard it is to lose a pet and a member of the family. Be thankful you have so many great pictures to look at and remember.
It is so obvious how loved Gus was and how he felt the love! Your pictorial tribute to him is wonderful. Hopefully you will find peace that he is in a more peaceful place….Sylvia
I’m so sorry to hear that you lost your Gus. The video of Gus and his posse making a run for it at the sight of the chapstick is wonderful. Take care of yourself and make sure to get extra hugs and smooches from your boys.
Aw Staci that is terrible. I am so sorry. My dogs are members of my family, and my best friends, and I can tell that you feel the same way about yours. Take care.
Staci,
I am so sorry to hear about Gus. Your tribute to him brought tears to my eyes. If I have a next life, I want to come back as one of your pets! I know it’s hard right now, and my heart goes out to you.
What a sweet, sweet guy. Deedle is 12 now, and sometimes I think about the day she will no longer be around. It’s really difficult to imagine. Gus had a good life!
Hugs…Gus was a well-loved dog and I know you and the boys will miss him dearly. I’ll be thinking about you.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Staci. Gus was a very well loved dog, and your tribute to him was heartfelt and moving.
Staci~ ~ ~
I’m so sorry.
Been there too. Lovely tribute.
So sorry about Gus. Loved your tribute and the video made me laugh out loud. He was a handsome devil.
Staci –
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I don’t look forward to that day where one of my beloved Bs need to cross over.
You and your pack are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about Gus. I know you and Chris and the boys will miss him terribly.
Hugs to you. Reenie