George---goodbye to my amazing pal

George, 15+ years old, died peacefully with his mom, Kathy, holding his paw on March 2, 2019. 

He was rescued when he about 2 years old back around 2005 from Second Chance.   George was a black lab / basset mix.   Here he is as a puppy (photo credit to Jyl).

George loved car rides.  Didn't matter where they were going, he was happy to go along.  Even vet visits, since he was super healthy until the cancer hit him a few years ago.   One of his favorite spots to visit included Kathy's work---especially the Good Technology office where he and a few of his friends (Stormy, Jake, Nadine, Delila) would often come to run around on the empty first floor.

George did not like the beach or the lake, but he loved to travel there.  He almost accidentally drowned his mom at Lake Gaston once so she learned her lesson about how he felt about water.  He spent many weekends at the beach though with Kathy's friends and family.  He became buds with his Aunt Lynn and Uncle David's dogs Monet and Chloe and always went to Nana and Grandpa to get pats on the head.  They were always so good to him and he loved the attention.  George acquired a step-dad several years ago and John always treated George like his very own.  He was the most amazing dad to George and support to Kathy, especially when he was first diagnosed with cancer and being there and helping after he had the first mass removed.

Not a fan of water, but when he would go stay with Jeannie and Dominic, he would run around their yard watching Memphis chase ducks in the pond.  He loved that they always had cats in the house too.  He lived with a cat for a brief time and loved to sit like a cat on the back of one of Kathy's couches. 

There was never a dog he didn't like or want to like him.  He met Logan (his mom Naomi is friends with Kathy) on a camping trip with the North Carolina Toastmasters.  They were never able to form the bond that their mom's have, but that was due to distance.  He always said he wished he could have spent more time and get to know Logan better.

He also loved getting to see his mom's friends when she traveled.  Heather was one of his favorites and she would come stay at the house so that he didn't have to take all his things with him.  He loved time with her and would go upstairs to her room at bedtime.  Of course George also loved to go directly to folks that were not "dog people", especially Tiffanie and Sandy.   

He LOVED getting in trouble with Jake when he would go stay with Tami.  Running around that farm and getting to see horses was quite the treat for him.  Tami was the reason that George even came into Kathy's life----she is the one that found him and said Kathy should go see him, forever cementing a special relationship.

Speaking of trouble, for a little guy he sure knew how to get stuff off a counter if no one was looking.   Hopefully Athena didn't get that bad habit when he went to stay with Shannon and Josh.  He also tried to teach this to Nadine and Delila, but they were too smart for that.  Their mom Johanna also loved George so much and was part of the Good Technology "dog mom" crew.  Running around with those girls was one of the joys of George's life.

When Kathy spent a block of six weeks out of town for work, George got to spend that time in Virgina with Kathy's cousin Mary, her amazing husband Mike, and their son Zach.  Wow---he got to run and play with so many other dogs!!!  He had the best time and made a ton of new friends.

George also spent a lot of time over the years with Larry and Joe who live across the street from Kathy.  They have always come through in emergencies, planned, and last minute travel.  George loved them like they were second parents and barked hello every day when he saw them.  The wagging tail make it quite evident how much he adored the amazing neighbors.

Some of George's favorite times were when he got to play with the neighborhood kids.  Jessica would come by randomly and ask to take him to play.  He would run and have the best time----those nights he would crash out from all the excitement of being around all the kiddos. 

George's health declined slowly after the surgery, but he always maintained that sweet, calm, and awesome disposition.  Even when the arthritis set in and he was shuffling across the room, he would just plop down in whatever room the action was happening in.  His face grayed over the years, but you can tell from the pictures that he was adorable all of his life.

He had an amazing life with many special people and animals that passed through.  Give your pets an extra treat today in honor of George.

Most likely going somewhere to see his doggie pals

Favorite Chair

George indulging his mom with costume shenanigans

Even in pain, still has that smile

Grinning and about to get a treat...

He learned this from a cat

Best selfie ever...