In Loving Memory of Gideon

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11/11/11 – 11/20/24

I’m a professional writer but have found it difficult to sum up Gideon’s life succinctly or sufficiently. I know my fellow Brussels Griffon owners will understand how impossible it feels to summarize their unique personalities…. Their silly “Griff Sit” … Their Velcro tendencies that underscore undying love. I rescued Gideon fka “Jack” in 2013 and he eventually overcame his fear of loud noises and his leash with lots of care and patience. I’ve never loved anything as much as I did my best friend, Gideon. He was whip smart with tricks especially when treats were involved. I didn’t need an alarm clock so long as Gideon woke up every morning at 6AM and demanded bedtime at precisely 9PM with a grumpy, cocked head, stare. He suffered from allergies and lots of health scares, but I was gifted with twelve years as his mom.

I hear people say all the time, “We don’t deserve dogs” and while I agree with the sentiment that their perfection only highlights our faults, I never felt like Gideon saw any of my flaws and only with him, did I feel perfectly complete. The pain of losing our beloved pets feels intolerable at times, but perhaps if I focus on living a life worthy of such dedication, maybe someday I’ll deserve another dog in my life.

Julie Benson