Buddies. The story of Todd and Gunner

Terra and Blake were in college and had been dating for about a year, when they happened upon an adorable litter of puppies needing homes. The couple had previously talked about getting a puppy. But they decided to wait and sleep on it to process the idea. The following day, they woke up and brought home Todd, an adorable Pointer/Lab mix. Todd, was a rockstar! He was a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving puppy without a care in the world. He was the kind of dog who loved meeting everyone, everywhere he went. Such a loving guy that it's was entirely possible he would quickly jump ship and join another family, if they had better treats. And any available laps were fair game for Todd to jump upon. Todd shared his love and enthusiasm with all.

Unfortunately, a black spot was discovered on Todd's tongue, and he was diagnosed with oral melanoma. The cancer was removed and he started getting special vaccinations. Sadly, another tumor was found on the side of his body, which required scans twice a year to keep watch for any new tumors. At this time, Terra and Blake began wondering if they should get a buddy for Todd. A canine companion who could keep Todd active and spry and engaged in life. So, the couple began a search for a friend for Todd. They came across a post on Next Door by a woman who was fostering a Weimaraner. Terra and Blake met him, fell in love, and Gunner joined their family.

Blending their canine family went smoothly. Gunner wanted to be the dominant dog, which suited Todd's easy-going personality just fine. Yet, Gunner really depended on Todd. Gunner was deaf so he relied on Todd to be his ears. To be his alert system and keep him aware of what's going on around them. These boys were like 2 puzzle pieces that really fit together.

Knowing Todd was getting older and battling cancer, Terra and Blake decided they wanted to memorialize their boys so they would never forget them. They decided to have photos taken, before it was too late. The couple chose portraits of each boy, which are displayed in their living room. The portraits are nicely complimented by the large photo book, proudly displayed on their coffee table, containing lots of photos from their private session.

After several years together Todd crossed the bridge, leaving his buddy behind. Gunner is a fiercely loyal dog. He is very smart and can read situations and people's emotions. He is very athletic and will seize any opportunity to race someone up the stairs. (And he typically wins). Unlike most of us, Gunner has really enjoyed Covid, as it has allowed him to be his dad's shadow. Being a creature of habit, Gunner likes the comfort and stability of his dad working at home. But now, Terra and Blake find themselves asking the same question. Should they get a buddy for Gunner? To fill the role that Gunner did for Todd. While having two dogs is a lot more work than one, there is something truly magical about having a companion by your side. We will let you know if Gunner gets his own buddy.

Especially during times like these, we could all use a Gunner by our side.