Life of Gaag

BEAUTIFUL GAAG IN HIS BELOVED SNOW

Dear Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue,

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Gaag, formerly known as Heath (a.k.a. Bernie), died unexpectedly on Feb. 24 of an aggressive cancer.

Shortly after we adopted Gaag, Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue posted this blog post about his new life with us and our plans for him to become our next therapy dog (http://redlakerosie.blogspot.com/2010/02/gaag.html), so we wanted to take a moment to share with you the rest of his journey with us.

Although we had just six years to spend with Gaag, we made the most of every moment we had with him. He did become a registered therapy dog, and in his almost five years of service, he made more than 100 therapy visits. He specialized in corrections, making a difference with his story of survival and resilience with both adults and juveniles in local detention centers. He made many other visits as well, to hospice patients, nursing homes, Girl Scout camps, church services, and other local organizations and events where he demonstrated what it takes to become a therapy dog.

GAAG AT WORK AND LOVING IT!

Gaag also had many other adventures in his life. He learned to do carting and weight pulling and made lots and lots of friends. Gaag is the only dog we’ve had who was never kenneled or left with anyone during our travels – he was always a part of our adventures. His travels included visits to many states, islands, and multiple ferry rides. He was always game for our next adventure, especially if it included hiking – he visited dozens of state parks across several states. His love of hiking was second only to his love of snow.

In addition, Gaag was a source of comfort and stability for the other two dogs with whom we currently share our lives. Both of them are rescues as well – one is a Neapolitan mastiff, and the other is a Great Dane mix. They, too, experienced significant loss and instability in their lives, and with Gaag’s guidance, they both have learned how to be happy and enjoy life.

Gaag touched many lives during his time on this planet, ours first and foremost. We miss him dearly but are so very thankful that he was a part of our life and will always be grateful to everyone who helped make that possible.

Sincerely,
Don and Stephanie V~

GAAG WAS PROUD OF HIS CART PULLING, TOO!

KAREN SAYS:
Gaag came to RLRR dirty, thin and sad with a painful muzzle embedded with porcupine quills that had to be removed surgically. His new family honored his past with the name Gaag, which means porcupine in Ojibwe.

This story is inspirational and a tear jerker for me. Just imagine these treasures we are entrusted with saving! Look at what difference this one rescue dog from Red Lake made in his life!!

I want to thank his wonderful guardians who loved and respected him so much!

Gaag

Heath (aka Bernie), a young St Bernard, had been living at a house with little food and no shelter, but his owner did not want to surrender him.

When the infection from Heath's mouthful of porcupine quills and his starvation became so serious that he could not stand, his owner finally agreed to give him to Karen.

Heath came to the Cities about 50 lbs underweight and with an extremely painful muzzle and mouth. The night he came down, we picked quills out of his nose and muzzle, as they surfaced. Several days later, he underwent surgery to have the quills removed, since most of them were submerged. With antibiotics and plenty of food, he gained strength very quickly.

Heath's temperment is as sweet as can be, and he is a great big puppy, since he is only about a year old.

Heath is now in his forever home with another large friend, and he is going to be a therapy dog! His adoptive family has named him "Gaag," which is porcupine in Ojibway.

Dee