Randy and Kammy,
I'm so very sorry to hear the news. No one can ever feel the exact pain that comes with loosing such a wonderful friend but, Laura and I can sympathize with you. The one thing that got us through our loss of last year was to know that one day, we'll all be together again..
Our hearts and love go out to you and yours..

Scott

With a nod to Daniel's sad news about his 'Zu-hound, Gizmo: http://www.4x4wire.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=68;t=011185
... I thought I'd post some better news.

Gozar's liver isn't likely to improve, and we're still making weekly trips to the vet to manage the effusion (almost a liter per day!), but his protein count is looking better. Our vet isn't ready to say that it is trending upward, but the plummeting stats have at least stabilized, and I can almost see my way into an upward trend. We're still way low of normal, but... well, we're ecstatic that he's still lint-ing up the air conditioner filter at Chez Burleson! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I've been scared to get my hopes up, but the numbers have been looking better for a while now, so I'll risk guarded optimism. Diet, drugs, and supplements seem to be helping! Thanks, folks, for your support in this thread, on the phone, and in email. We knew Gozar was special, but it is cool to hear that other people thought so, as well.

I'm not sure how long we have with Gozar, but he's plugging along for now, very much enjoying his new high-protein non-kibble prescription diet. We're spoiling the big furball rotten, and that takes some doing, since he was pretty spoiled to begin with, as our only child. I'll be taking him down to the river this evening -- that's the one place where his calm demeanor slides away into excitement (for a Newfie, that is movement that can be detected without aid of a time-lapse camera <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> )

Many thanks for the support from Gozar's extended family! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" /> I'm very grateful for the added time to role-model my fur-buddy's disposition. <img border="0" alt="[Rat]" title="" src="graemlins/rodent.gif" />

Randii

We lost Gozar this week. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

He had the heart and the hope to go longer, but in the end, the complications from his liver condition caught up to him, and we had to say goodbye. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> We were with him to the end.

He was a good dog... no, a great dog -- hell, he was the BEST dog. More than 'just' a dog, he was a fur-person, our fur-person. Kammy and I loved him as our closest family member for nine awesome years, and he loved us back even moreso. We fed, groomed, entertained, and loved him ... and in return, he kept us as his pack.

I've learned so much from him -- how to truly relax, how to supervise from afar, and how to enjoy the little stuff... most of all, perhaps, how to shoulder the abuse the world throws at us, then let it quickly slide off, to be replaced by something better, like a good nap in tall, shaded grass. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Gozar was happy to see you every single time, even if you'd last left in a huff or a hurry... and unconditional love is most truly defined in our canine companions. Most of us non-furry people spend a longer lifetime learning to behave as well as dogs do even a few years into their shorter spans.

Kammy and I are heartbroken that we couldn't have more time with Goz, but he stayed as long as he could, and we feel so blessed for the time that we had. He will be missed, and I regret not one thing, except how soon he had to go.

Thanks, all of you from Gozar's extended family, for your emails, calls, and cards that encouraged us in the past few months. Gozar always introduced us to the best people.

I have a hard time imagining four-wheeling without him, but we won't stay away from the beauty of the places we visited with him. Utah's Red Rocks, California's Sierras, Colorado's Rockies, the Northwest's Cascades -- we traveled far, and met many, and our massive, shaggy friend was always a big part of that. Revisiting those places, their people, that's how I hope to remember Gozar best.

[color:"blue"]. . . . . . . . . . . Rest in Peace . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . Gozar the Destructor . . . . . . . .
Newfoundland, shade-hunter, and water-hound
. . . . . . . . . . . . beloved . . . . . . . . . . . .[/color]

Randii

Randy, I am very sorry to hear of Gozar's passing. Susana, Rex, and I will be thinking of you, Kammy, and Goz.

Your note is too true. Unconditional love - man, what these dogs do for us. Never take a day with them for granted......

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Randii,

My heart goes out to you and Kammy.

Dave

Randii

As I stated before, you have the care and consideration of all hearts in my household. It was true when Gozar was ill, and it is even more so, now that he has moved on. Treasure the time he shared with you, as I'm sure you will. Think of wheeling as a tribute to the times he was there with you and always save him a seat.

James

I'm very sorry to hear about Gozar. He was definitely the coolest of dogs.

man, i'm sorry, although i didn't have the privelage of knowing Gozar, i understand the pain of losing a member of your family, i understand that to many he may have appeared as just a pet, but i know how much of a role your pets can take on in your family, we have one pet that absolutely runs the house, as someone who understands the blessing of having a pet like Gozar that takes on such an incredible role in your life, i send my heart felt condolence.

Randy and Kammy,
We are so sorry. We will all miss him at the Adams houshold where Gozar made his home from time to time.
Todd Linda Megan and Blaze

Randii & Kammy, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Gozar - my heart goes out to you. Remember all the good things, and enjoy the places you all went together. I've found that to be the best therapy.
God bless- Tam