I picked up your paw casting today

Dear Gunner,

Today I drove to Brandon to pick up your paw casting. It was the final piece to your passing. Our memorial will be private,I will honor you in style.

I packed a small suitcase with your picture in in and some clothes.  I didn't think I could go back home right now. I cleaned the house, did my errands and left a note.  As I drove I kept singing because if I allowed myself to think, I would cry and I didn't want to cry.  If I cry, I stop breathing because my cries are like sobs. Our neighbor thinks it's disturbing. I think he is an asshole for saying it, so we are even.

I was met by a very lovely lady who hand delivered your paw print to me. We had spoke in the past and she was very lovely. She was very sorry and I expressed my dislike for the ER vet. I praised Dr. E for her help and care, but thought the ER vet was horrible.

We chatted a minute and I knew it was time to get in the car. I was calm and steady, I texted Aunt Ronnie and asked if she was free.  She immediately replied yes and I called. She knew instinctively I needed her to talk me through the drive home. We chatted about you and then Politics, and the weather, the a puppy bulldog and life. She stayed by myside as I drove back home.

Once inside I threw the note away and unpacked. I know Maggie needs me and I know I will be ok, somehow, some way you will make me a better person. The Wrinkle Ranch will continue, our No Bulldog left behind will continue, without even batting an eye, my love for you will continue.

Tomorrow is Mother's day - which has been a huge day for you and I.  I remember you taking me to brunch at the Bistro in Clearwater and we sat on the patio. We were dressed up and you stole the hearts of everyone who passed by us. You were the best dressed man there. Tomorrow I will make breakfast for Mags and I will think of how you would jump in my bed,give me budgies and step on my boobs. I miss you so much.

Love to the moon and back.

Dear Gunner

Dear Gunner,

Today has been a rough one. Many of your friends and pawrents have sent some of the most gorgeous memorial presents, flowers, and cards. I do not feel worthy of them. I sit and cry. You are all over this house, I cannot go in one room and not see you there.  I needed a place to put all the beautiful gifts, so I picked your spot at the front door, your favorite place, where I can go and pray and see you.

Each card I open, I look for you to read it to you, that was our thing.  You would smell the card and then cock your head to the side as if to say, proceed.  I miss you more today than yesterday. No one told me this was going to be so hard, I have lost many people in my life, nothing compares to you leaving me.  I am so sorry for not protecting you better.

The Bulldog and Breakfast is not the same without you. I wake up thinking I hearing you snore, I jump up tonight hoping this has all been a bad dream. It's been a bad reality. I blast our favorite play list, I dance with one of your stuffies. I can still feel you nuzzle my ear.

It's going to be a long road for me, I want to hold you again, I want you to look at me with those huge brown eyes and make this all go away. So much pressure for a bulldog, it was a job you handled with ease. I miss you GunnerButter.

Time is not healing all wounds...

It has been 8 days since Gunner left me. I cannot put into words the void and hurt I feel. My emotions go in waves. I have lost a few friendships for saying "he was just a dog"... The loss is real and painful.

Making arrangements, cancelling insurance, processing invoices, and what to do with the house. I make no bones about this, every room in my house was Gunner.

Before I go on, I will tell you I have Gunner's littermate sister Maggie, she is wonderful and sweet. Probably the perfect bulldog if you must know. She was my sister's, when my sister died I inherited her. They were side by side buddies for the last 5 years.

It is not the same with Maggie. Gunner was a bigger than life presence. Which is funny because I just had someone say that about me as well.

What do I do with the crates strategically arranged in the house? Gunner loved his crates. He liked to nap in his room in his crate often. He slept in a crate at night (his choice). That's just the start of it. He has furniture of his own, beds, photos, toys, clothes, oh my heavens he has clothes. I have decided to make shadow boxes of Gunner. One will have his Charlie Brown sweater which was his absolute favorite sweater to wear. He would pick it out of the drawer when I was getting him dressed when the cold weather came.

We are so blessed with all our friends. Our OG gang has really been amazing. Miss Dixie and Sugar Lump and Dooley family has been a rock for me. Coach and Mac's parents have been a constant support and a willing ear to listen to my crying. Cleo's family has been so sweet and caring about us, and Bubbles Mom has been just a blessing. There are so many others that have touched our hearts. Emmy and Luna Bean's Mom helped guide me with Gunner's originally planned surgery. Star has been so caring. Most of the Original #StudClub have reached out to me, it's been a great feeling knowing how much Gunner meant to all of you.

I have a memorial service planned for Gunner, judge me not, he deserves this. I hope to continue to honor Gunner with our Roscoe's Rascals No Bulldog Left Behind Angel Fund. We donate hundreds of dog food to rescues and make Angel fund donations to help with vet costs.

I want to personally say that if you met Gunner you loved him. He made you love him, he was the light in the day when it all looked bleak.

I have sorted out some of his clothes, I am really undecided what to do with them. I cannot imagine another dog wearing his clothes. We shall see what the future holds. Please do not forget Gunner, he has never forgotten any of you.

My heart is broken

Gunner has passed away. Those words cut like a knife. Gunner MacGyver - Lyerly's This Guns For Hire. Love of my life.

Gunner has had a fairly illness free life, he had a few Upper Respiratory infections and a bit of a skin issue in his wee early days.

We were blessed with 8 years and 3 months with him. In the beginning with Gunner it was a challenge, he was not the fat happy bulldog that would sleep. Oh no, he was 100mph sun up to sun down. He needed to be entertained. I took him to music appreciation classes, play dates, meetups, lunch at Bistro's, a few road trips and taught him how to order room service. He was my life. Being divorced wasn't lonely for me, Gunner was a constant companion that loved watching Hallmark Movies with me. He was not happy unless he was within zero space from you. He would lay on my lap and hold my hand. However, everyone wanted to be near Gunner so his Dad was never far from us, or anyone else who wanted to be around.

He was spoiled, no doubt. I like to say Well Loved. Anyone who spoke to me knew about Gunner and then eventually Maggie when she came to live with us. Gunner has more clothes than most humans. I can guarantee more know about Gunner than my personal life. I had a rule; to love me was to love him. We are a packaged deal. He had a Manny. A Male Nanny. All of our lives are shook right now.

His final days haunt me. these past two days I wake up screaming and crying. I miss going into the bathroom and closing the door most way and having him pop his head in as if to say "haha you can't keep me out" I never wanted to, I just liked the game of it. I remember when he was a about a year old he started coming to the back bathroom and poking his head in the walk in shower. He would stand there as if to say "whatcha doing"?

Gunner has his own 200 square foot room. He has his own furniture and this is his house, I just get to stay here. What do I do with this? I have had a few conversations with the Vet's he treated with and the surgeon after he passed away. None of this makes sense to me,  I will never come to grips with it.

About three months ago, Gunner and I had a talk. We discussed this upcoming summer of going to meet his girlfriend Cleopatra. We wanted to attend the Bully Bash so badly, but his paw was giving him some issue. He was a constant licker. I commissioned a grooms tuxedo for him and a bridal gown for Cleo; I planned to surprise everyone with a wedding. It was a little secret him and I worked on. He would watch me sketch and send the drawings. I started making him cuff links and corsages for the girls. He would pick out the fabrics we were looking at. He only liked certain fabrics so I wanted to make sure he liked it. Sadly he isn't going to be able to attend.

Gunner was not just a dog, he was my life. When I didn't want to get out of bed because I was sad, he was my reason. I never experienced depression, I was just hopeless. He changed my life in ways I cannot even tell you.

Every night I would read him a story and we would watch bulldog videos. He loved mail. His first Valentine was from a human sister of a bulldog (Collins). He loved it. He would sniff it all the time. Gunner was preceptive. If I put on makeup or a nice outfit he would come right over to me and sniff my neck. He was the first to notice a new hair cut. -- Go ahead think I am crazy... If I put lipstick on, he would nuzzle my neck. He loved perfume.

If he ever learned to talk, I would be up shits creek without a paddle. He knew EVERY single secret I had. My little man was my hero. He protected me when I needed it, he loved me when I needed it and he entertained me when I needed it.

I have so many memories of Gunner and I plan to write them as I am doing now. This is for me, and no one else.

xoxox G Mommy misses you.

it's BullAWeen time... Halloween Costume Party October 27, 2018

Friends it's that time of year... Pumpkin spice, orange and yellow everywhere and HALLOWEEN is right around the corner. 

We are planning a Halloween (BullAWeen) Costume Party 

We have a great impartial Judge and we will have treats and snacks for everyone... 

Prizes for the best costume and lots of fun!! Join us please. 

Any questions- email at GunnerThisGunsForHire@gmail.com 

Georgia Love Richey - RIP 11-13-2003 - 10-06-2016

So here are a few of my favorite pictures...

So here we go... Meeting Georgia and her family was one of the highlights of Twitter. Each and every turn, if something was going on, they were there with a kind word. I believe Georgia is the OG of strollers. After she had one, everyone got one. Personally for me, her bottom teeth were my favorite sight each day. I loved the family bond and when rescues stopped to visit, Georgia was as sweet as can be. The day Emmy came to town, I wondered if Georgia would lose her spunk. With each story of Emmy and her wayward ways, Georgia made you feel apart of the learning curve of a pipsqueak puppy. One night we were up very late, hadn't had any sleep and couldn't fall asleep, we started looking at twitter friends pictures and writing little things about them so we would have a memory of all our funny stories. Unfortunately we lost our writings, with 2 exceptions... One was about Georgia. Always a cheerful good morning, always that toothy smile that makes me want to squeeze and kiss her. Often I forget Georgia has 4 legs and cannot vocalize, but I am sure if she could she would say, #GOYA and exercise. I loved that about Georgia, always there smiling. Today is not a day I ever want to relive. I did not meet her face to face, I did not call her on the phone, we did not share an ibone session, but we shared in admiration of our love for Georgia. I wish we had more time, we were going to hand deliver her birthday present. I felt this would be my chance to say thank you and see her teeth in person. That didn't happen... We love you Georgia and want you to know we want to be as good as you! Fly free at the bridge and plenty of kisses for you!

Finally we are back...

We have gone through quite an ordeal with our computers. Mommy got that very bad virus that they demand money for. We lost all kinds of things. First and foremost my baby pictures. My friends emails and mailing lists. My whole world of social media came crashing down. We have been trying to get passwords to things like our blog, our website, our life links.

For the last five months it's been a living hell. Lost the best computer system, had to buy all new computers, lost thumb and external drives. most of all had our bank accounts drained. We are finally on the mend, but not 100%. We have missed you all and thankfully one small saving act has allowed my Mom to save a few pictures, TWITTER keeps a lot of them.

We are more appreciative for our friends past and present.

Much love,

Gunner

Maggie say's Gunner Gunner Gunner...

Living in my house right now is like watching Ferris Bueller's Day Office movie. My sister Maggie is very jealous that I got to go to the ER Vet on Friday, Saturday and the big Vet yesterday.

So much so that she is pouting and giving My Mommy a very hard time. She is misbehaving and acting out. I am trying to comfort Maggie and let her know it's because I am sick right now. She isn't having any of it, she is angry! So... Mom bought her a new baby to sleep with and I gave it a lick, I am hoping my sister gets over being jealous, I luff her very much and I don't like to see her upset.

Signed the favorite son...

Gunner xoxoxo

Gunner update Oct 27 2015

Last known was Gunner went to vet on Saturday. They diagnosed him with a Mass on his Bladder and a UTI and Bladder infection. Sent him home with antibiotics and no other treatment plan.

Regular Vet's were both out of town, spoke to one and we had a small idea to just go with the antibiotics and let me the Mom make some choices.

The little voices in my head that tell me what to do or not to do spoke loudly. NO one is addressing this Mass issue.

I made the appointment with the Bulldog Expert Vet and off we went. Gunner has a severely enlarged Prostrate and has some other issues involving that. He requires surgery within 30 days. No Mass found on either Sonogram and X-rays.

I won't get negative only to say this; IF YOU HAVE A GUT FEELING GO WITH IT!! I read a few posts that said to me that I was over-reacting. It's my dog, my life, my checkbook and my way!!!!!

Thankfully my doubting saved his life.

Please keep my buckethead baby in your prayers please.

Love to all!!!

Gunner, Maggie and Kym

Sincere Thank you from the Gunner family

First and foremost I would like to say a very sincere Thank you to all our twitter and facebook friends. This has been a trying time with Gunner. I want to thank you all individually because you mean that much to us. You rallied around us with prayers and thoughts when we needed it most. I truly appreciate my prayer warriors.

I am going to post a second update on Gunner in a few minutes, but we all really love each of you and thank you from the bottoms of our paws!!!!

Gunner's sick

Friday afternoon Gunner began acting a little offish. When he would walk he would slink down like a cougar and take deliberate steps. He ate fine, but was not acting right. Later that evening he was acting strange and had zero energy (which is a huge red flag).

We decided not to ignore it and head to an ER Vet. Our vet is on vacay and our other doesn't do after hours. We load Gunner up in the car and began to travel to the ER Vet. To our surprise they are not open and we panic. We head to the second one and they are closed. At this point Gunner is booping around and acting very normal. We call a third one and they say come in, it's 1 am by this time, and he is full steam back to normal.

Through the night he slept well, I checked him every hour on the hour. Saturday morning, I had duty and he was home with the dad. Gunner wouldn't eat. By 1145 he was much worse, and I was not home. I send them packing to the vet but they get in a traffic jam. I leave duty and head out to meet them. We finally arrive at a Vet ER Clinic and begin our wait.

Immediately the vet is stumped, but knows something isn't right. After some nudging from me, I get him to do a full exam and he discovers a Mass in Gunner's bladder. They ask for a urine sample and they will do a blood panel, and they will do an x-ray if I want one. I did ask if they had to put him out for the x-ray and he said no.

The Vet tech was unable to get a urine sample so I got one for them, and that test came back off the charts high. The blood work was high for low white cells and his alkaline was high, as was his sugar. The Vet excused the Vet Tech and asked me to assist him with another examination since the Tech wasn't very experienced. With Gunner being in tact (still has his jigglies) I think the Vet was hoping it was that, however, his prostrate was clear. I felt the Mass he referred to and I believe it needs an expert review, however, ER Vet wasn't sure. He opted not to do the x-ray for some reason.

At the conclusion, Gunner's temp was elevated, his white cells and levels were high, and he decided the best course of action is antibiotics. We take him home and he won't walk, sit up, or move at all. I give him the antibiotic immediately and try and feed him. He will not eat at all, nor drink much.

I freeze Cranberry juice in ice cube trays for later to keep him hydrated and it's good for UTIs. Later I try to feed him again and he will not eat. I am scared since he had a pill he needs something in his belly, so I scramble him some eggs and give him cranberry juice cubes.

Gunner goes to sleep after being so down right sick, I had to rock him for 2 hours and he finally went to bed. He was up most of the night and not sleeping very well. This morning he is still out of it, and not feeling great, but I did get him to eat dog food and drink water and a cube of cranberry juice. He is slowly walking on his own and moving a bit more, but it's not over by any means.

Gunner was not given any pain medication at all, and I am not one to self medicate so I am trying all kinds of home remedies, such as heat and ice, fluids and tons of kisses. That seems to be his favorite. He avoided Maggie until just 3 minutes ago, but is still not all over her like usual.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We are going to try to see Dr. B in the morning, and hope that everything is fine. I will update if need be.

There is a nip in the air...

We are loving the little bit of coolness in the air. Plus Mommy is baking and cooking this morning. I guess you could call her an old fashioned kind of girl. One that knows how to cook, knows what to wear, and when it's time to call it a day.

We are tasting lots of great things today. Plus little paw muffins are in the oven.

Happy Brisk Columbus Day.

Fall is in the slight air...

Happy Fall time my friends... I want to do a quick Public Service Announcement and then some fun info after that...

With all the wet and rain everyone has, October is bringing out a lot of mushrooms... Read this about mushrooms. I'll wait... go here...Mushrooms click here

With that said please please take an extra moment to check your yard or your favorite watering hole - haha I said watering hole.


Now for the fun stuff....

October is a great month! Very busy, but a great month. Halloween is just around the corner and then the holidays will be here before we know it.

We were not going to do a Halloween party this year because we didn't think anyone would want to do one. However, Mom has some serious swag she has to get rid of. I mean really get rid of. My closet looks like a Bulldog Gift Shop.  So we are thinking if anyone is interested, they can let Mommy know via twitter or here she will put the swag up as prizes.

Happy Fall Everyone!!!

Gunner and Maggie

Gunner love - Mommy author

It is no secret how much I love Gunner. Once he was in my life I was smitten to say the least. Truly I believe he was a gift from God, as was Maggie. Gunner has been many things in my life. At times I have to pinch myself and remember he is not of the human kind, but of the Canine flavor. I am sure you have clicked off by now saying "oh boy Gunner Gunner Gunner"...

Gunner is the most sensitive caring dog I have ever had. From the time he was 11 weeks old we watched videos online of other bulldogs. At 12 weeks he started a music appreciation class that we still do today. Night time rituals include Mommy love and story time. When Mommy is not home, she calls and face times him. Please do not call the men in white jackets, they have already certified that I am nutsocoocoo.

From the first group meetup at 16 weeks, Gunner would not hump or bother other dogs. He would play and run but would give each dog their space. When a fight would break out, you would find Gunner in the middle separating the fighters. To say he is dog polite might be odd. Our lives have consisted of mutual love and admiration.

When Maggie came into the house I was very concerned his feelings would be hurt. She is his sister and needed some extra love after losing her Mommy of 3 years. At first they did not get along too well. I was really hard on Gunner, I accepted nothing less than his being polite and loving. I spoke to other bulldog families that had a girl and boy dog, seeking some insight. Fortunately I ignored the comments that would say "they will be fine" Being fine with no intervention is a recipe for disaster. So I knew I had some real work ahead of me. Gunner is a sensitive soul. You never have to punish him for something because he knows what he did. My solution was; I applied some tried and true behavioral methods and within 2 weeks my fears of them not getting along were long gone.

Gunner amazes me daily with his kindness. I wish two legged people were as kind and loving as Gunner.  He always waits for Maggie to start eating first, for her to go through the door first, for her to get treats first, and has really given up so much of Gunner's things to her. With all that kindness I cannot let him be left out. That is why we have double of everything. I do keep certain things just for Gunner.

With all this love and admiration I feel the need to share it. Gunner has the heart I wish I had. He has the ability to listen and forgive. His love of protection and family goes without saying. While he has some personality quirks that make me wonder if I gave birth to him, he means the world to me.

I find that when I am struggling, he is there. I talk to him as a human and he seems to understand what I am saying. When I am tweeting or watching a video, he is right beside me over my shoulder. To say that dogs do not understand, I would strongly disagree. Put Rocco's little sister on a video and Gunner comes out of his room to watch. If he see's Henry and Collins picture he slightly puts his cheek to her. Until the prior Flood, he had all his friends pictures on his wall, he would lay under different ones during the day, as if he were visiting them.

Think I am crazy, that's ok. I am truly blessed with two very special bulldogs that fill my heart with love. In a world of negatives and jealousy, I find complete comfort knowing my two are what's right with this world.

I love you Gunner more than you know, and I love you Maggie with my soul.

Sick sick sick - Mommy author

Gunner is sick. Not sure what has gotten into him, but he has some stomach issues.  Gunner is not a typical bulldog, he does not pass gas like most bulldogs. As a matter of fact, Maggie is the gasser in the house. When Gunner expresses gas, he gets upset. It really offends him.

So that started the belly issues, and then he began throwing up. We are on the mend and hopefully he is better for this weekend. Daddy is babysitting us the next 2 days. Hope for the best...

Poorly bellies all around

We have been a bit sickly since Monday. We ate some cheese slices and Mommy thinks it hurt our bellies. Maggie and I had some belly issues. Even the Mommy had some too.

It was a great excuse to stay close to Mommy and snuggle up. Today is New Toy Tuesday and we are very much looking forward to that!

I hear Mommy rattling around in the kitchen, I think she is preparing an early breakfast treat for Daddy and us. She cannot sleep when we are sick. Poor sister Mags had the flashlight in her face about 8 times through the night. Me on the other hand, well I probably slept through that...

Let's hope the gingerale we sipped and the pumpkin makes us all feel better.

Gunner and Maggie

We wake up in separate rooms. Somehow we find ourselves in the same room and the same spot trying to get Mommy's attention. We roll around and wrestle until the loud voice sounds and we have to stop. Our days are filled with love and joy.

Today we get to play with new friends and visit the new house. We want to give it our paws of approval. However, last night we saw the bakery items being delivered so this could only mean TASTE TESTING.

Our Gunner bars and Maggie Muffins are a real treat for us. I hope Mom makes them after our busy day.

Happy First Day of Fall!!!!

Tomorrow is Fall.. Our favorite time of the year.

Hello friends - tomorrow is the first day of Fall and we couldn't be more excited. We hope for cooler nights (haha in Florida) and we cannot wait for the pumpkin and apple treats.

With Halloween only a month away we were thinking of what we should be for Halloween. Over the last three years we have hosted a costume party online. However, this year we are going to let someone else do it.

The Twitter parties were great and all the fun we had. I hope someone else picks up the party. If not, maybe next year we will do it. But this this year we are stepping off...

So on to the Fall fun... Cannot wait for Oktoberfest and Mommy's big party.

Raising parents is a tough job

I have two parents. One Mom and One Dad. I had a second Dad but he was kind of part-time. My parents use to be married to each other. So I am from a broken family. Oh don't pity me, I reap the benefits of sad eyes and constant reminders of how I am from a broken home.

However, I recently realized I am raising them. Each night I have to tell them to go to bed. I cannot just let them stay up to all hours of the night, they have work in the morning and we all need our sleep. I also have to remind them to clean up the house. I have to trick them a bit by moving all the covers and furniture around, but it usually gets them in the groove of mopping, vacuuming and straightening up my toys.

Just tonight I had to tell them it was time for them to have their evening snack, I barked at the fridge until they fed me pretzels. I was really doing it for their own good.

Raising parents is hard work. I just don't know how the older people did it.

Gunner

How do you know you're old? By the Mommy

Guest writer: The Mommy...

I use to hear stories as a kid, when I was your age, we would do or say this. I use to think those old people... Today while reflecting on 9/11 and snuggling with the dogs, I began to think about life in general. I pulled out Alan Jackson's song and video of Remember When and then it hit me... I am freaking old. I am that old person.

So I thought about the things said today and what they meant in MY day...

Dope = meant they were stupid.

Sick = duh sick as in ill

Fly = bug

Coke = soda

Whip = a whip you used on a horse or a naughty date

Down with that = Something was down, as in you put it down

A solid = solid foods?

Props = extra items in a movie

Chill = it was cold

So here it is, I am freaking old. Ready for the horse farm or something. While I take my dope sick fly self in my whip, I give props to my ride or die for a solid, I am down wit that anytime...

Translated.... get a hobby, ebonics is not for you...