Our lovely Elder Statesman left us last night.

We suspected his time was close as the seizures and incontinence from his suspected brain tumor had been increasing in frequency. Yesterday morning he was fine…happy and mobile and ‘livin’ large’. By afternoon he could no longer walk or get up off the floor…it was his time.

GRRCC got Chipper in early February of this year when his ‘loving owner’, who had had him since he was a puppy, turned him into the shelter to be euthanized. The shelter staff asked if we would take him and, even knowing he was 14+ years old and heavily heartworm positive, one look at his smile and soft brown eyes told us all we needed to know.

Chipper went quickly into a loving foster home and never looked back. He was clearly grateful for even the smallest of kindnesses and loved the many, many people that soon became adoring members of his fan club. Both Chipper and GRRCC would like to give our most heartfelt thanks to the two Guardian Angels that loved and helped Chipper the most.

To Courtney, who took him into her home on virtually a moments notice, even knowing he would most likely never be adopted and would be with her for as long as he lived. Oh, and live he most certainly did....lounging around with his senior foster siblings in what was affectionately called the canine geriatric ward; surrounded by soft dog beds to cushion his aging bones and with heat and AC vents galore to choose from. Through her kindness and care, this dog that came to us full of fleas and ticks and virtually covered in dread locks, soon sported a gorgeous coat and was the epitome of the majestic senior Goldens we have all been privileged to know. Thank you Courtney, for loving Chipper and giving him what were surely the very, very best months of his entire life.

To Natalie, with her level head and huge heart, who was with him at the end. Who knew what to do and did it, and who held him in her arms as he closed his eyes for the last time. Thank you Natalie, for giving him the dignity, peace and, oh yes indeed, the love he deserved in his final moments.

And finally, thank you Chipper… for coming into our lives and sharing your serenity, your smile and your perpetually waging tail. Albeit for far too short a season, it has been an honor and a privilege to have known you.

Godspeed Chipper….

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