In Memory of Gator

Gator had to be put down this week

Gator was taken in by a vet tech volunteer and fostered for a week. He had been slated for euthanasia at the shelter due to aggression, but we took him to see if anything could be done for him.

Though things appeared to be going well, and Gator's episodes of aggression seemed predictable, there was a sudden change in his behavior. Earlier this week, Gator bit our volunteer's husband, then attacked one of the dogs in the home, the older dog he'd gotten along with better than any of the others. He appeared to be having some sort of neurological event, as he was unresponsive to his name, to sound, to whistles or other stimula. His eyes were unfocused and rolling and he licked compulsively at the floor and the walls of his crate for 20 minutes following the attack.

Both dog and person are recovering well from their wounds. After a number of calls and discussion, the board decided that Gator should be euthanised. He spent the day with his foster mom, receiving many treats, including some peanut butter cups, before he was sedated, fully anesthetized and sent to the Rainbow Bridge while resting in the arms of his foster mom.

We are grateful to have been able to give poor Gator a week of love and attention, good food and friendly dog companionship. We are also very grateful to our volunteer and her family, and we share their grief and sadness at losing poor Gator.