There are truly no words for my gratitude for your caring. I’m in shock over the diagnosis and shock that people we don’t even know are there to help us. Thank you for honoring Grady’s memory. Thank you for saving my daughter and me from more heartache right now. You have given us sunshine and hope on this darkest of days.
--Gonzo’s Mom
Hello, My name is Gonzo. I was born to make my beloved Grady’s life better. My boy couldn’t talk or play or even sit up. But we didn’t need any of that. We communicated just fine anyway. My life was being his eyes and ears. I let his folks know about his seizures. I was his protector and alerted them when Grady needed help. I was at every doctor’s appointment. I even stayed with him in the Pulmonary ICU.
I used to lick Grady’s feet or lay my head on his. My heart sang when I made him smile. I activated switches, opened doors, retrieved things …I made his life better. He made my life worthwhile.
I’m proud to be a “registered service dog/mobility specialist” from 4 Paws For Ability and even prouder to be a vital member of my family.
Grady was only 11 when he died. I was devastated. I no longer had a reason for being. Until I realized our Mom needed me, but in a different way. I began sleeping with her and staying constantly by her side. Our snuggles as we tried to survive our grief were the only things that got either of us through.
I nudge her when she’s upset. That brings her out of her fog, so she grabs onto my fur and remembers she still has Grady through me. I roll around a lot and make a snorting noise that sounds like I’m laughing. That makes her giggle. When we visit my boy’s grave, I do that on the patch of grass right by his gravestone. I think he sees us, and that makes him laugh, too.
A week ago, Mom came home from a trip and saw that my lymph nodes were huge. She panicked. Several trips to the people with white coats let them find out I have something called “Large Cell Lymphoma”. It means getting treatments that’ll be hard on me, but I want them because I need to stay with my Mom. I’m afraid now whenever we’re not together, and I’m pretty sure it’s the same for her, too. We’re going to find a way to stay together for as long as we can!
A Message From Gonzo’s Mom:
I am still reeling from Gonzo’s diagnosis. I didn’t think I’d survive when I lost Grady. But I needed to for my husband and daughter. Then my marriage ended, and I wondered what else could happen. And now Gonzo is ill. He’s all I have left of Grady. Even now, he takes care of me and my 12-year-old daughter. He’s done everything for my family. Now, it’s our turn to be there for him.
I can’t begin to describe the depth of pain I felt in realizing I couldn’t afford his treatment. I spent everything getting us through his diagnosis to a treatment plan. We NEED him. He NEEDS us.
There are truly no words for my gratitude for your caring. I’m in shock over the diagnosis and shock that people we don’t even know are there to help us. Thank you for honoring Grady’s memory. Thank you for saving my daughter and me from more heartache right now. You have given us sunshine and hope on this darkest of days.
--Gonzo’s Mom
UPDATE ON GONZO'S FIGHT
Unfortunately, like so many, Gonzo lost his battle with cancer. His family chose to honor his life by releasing him to go be with his beloved Grady. The two are together without pain.
Read the thank you letter Gonzo's mom wrote to all of those who helped bring her comfort knowing she did everything she could be her Super Hero in the end.
