In May 2017, Gator the Golden became the missing piece to our family. We had adopted Gator from Rescue Village in Geauga County where he was taken from a bad breeding situation. Gator was a unique little pup who chomped at the air when he got excited, nervous or anxious, and the folks over at Rescue Village gave him the befitting name, Gator.
For seven amazing years, this dog brought so much love and joy into our lives every day. Not a day went by that we weren’t thankful that he dropped into our laps. It had been over 6 years since our first dog, Barney, had passed, and we wanted to wait until we found the perfect match to be our next furry friend. Gator was the gentlest, kindest soul, with a heart as big as his appetite. He was the embodiment of pure, unconditional love and loyalty, and he was the best companion we could have asked for. Gator loved going on car rides (also known as “bye-byes”) to Dunkin Donuts to get his pup cup, going to parks, or just coming with me to pick up dinner. Looking in the mirror and seeing his head out the window with the look of pure joy is something I’ll always remember. He loved people more than he loved animals, as he would say hello to every person at the dog park before going to play. He loved stealing baseballs out of other people’s yards on our walks, he loved the sound of trucks and trailers as they drove by, and he only liked toys with fur that he could rip apart.
Gator was only 8 years old when he passed on August 20th, 2024. He was diagnosed with pericardial effusion—a cancerous tumor that leaked blood into his heart. Even with surgery, it only would have bought him months, so we had made the extremely difficult decision to let him live out his last days doing all his favorite things. Two days later, he crossed the rainbow bridge. In honor of Gator, we are raising money for Rescue Village where we first adopted him. Animal shelters are near and dear to our hearts, and we want to be able to help other dogs and kitties find their forever homes. Thank you in advance for your kind donation, and even if you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Let’s give back to the place that gave us our boy, and do our part to help all shelter animals. Do it for Gator, whose memory will live on in our hearts.
Love, The Allis family
(Ken, Cheryl, Sarah, Matt and Alex)
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