If you knew Gunnar, you know he was a one-of-a-kind, special dog – more human than animal.
Gunnar looked imposing – all 125 pounds of him. But he was a gentle giant who still believed he was a puppy.
His big, brown, marble-like eyes pierced your soul and melted your heart.
Gunnar never met a stranger and often preferred humans to animals because he truly considered himself a human.
So did we.
For more than 13 years he filled our home with an immeasurable abundance of love.
And we loved him back, with everything we had.
We gave him a spectacularly big, beautiful life, including many trips to his favorite place – the beach – where he ran like the wind with pure and unabated joy.
We included him in everything, and thankfully, I always had a camera pointed at him.
We now have a treasure trove of videos, photos, and memories reminding us just how happily he lived.
He was the best.
He was our constant.
Our family glue.
Our biggest, sweetest boy.
Our hearts are broken into what feels like a million pieces.
The house feels empty.
The grief is overwhelming.
The pain is deep.
Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe or that I can’t get through this. If you know, you know.
My niece sent me this quote and it hits hard.
“I will endure a lifetime of missing you for the privilege of loving you.”
It was a privilege to love you, Gunnie, and we will never, ever stop missing you.
The beach will never be the same without you.
Nothing will.
But you are with us.
Always and forever.
Gunnar
2013 – 2026
