Obituary - Gunner

Here is daughter Lorna's entry on Facebook:

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beautiful Gunner. We were only his family for the last three years of his life, but they were such a precious three years and we loved him so much. He was a gentle, happy chap. He sneezed and grinned and his ears stuck out when he was pleased to see you. He had the biggest paws ever. He thought that East Common was his exclusive place to go for a walk. He didn't eat his dinner until given permission. His widdles and his poos tended to be walking along affairs. He could widdle for yards and yards. He had a particular penchant for widdling on other people's suitcases at train stations. He loved strawberries. He would bring you a shoe or a slipper at every opportunity. He loved swimming in the sea. There is a beach in Cornwall that will forever be Gunner's Beach. He didn't like getting a bath. He patiently tolerated Ben getting into his bed with him and would gently rest his velvet chin on Ben's cheek. He was a people dog - as long as you were in his line of sight, he was happy. We were so blessed to have him in our family and we will never forget him. RIP Gunner 29th May 2004-15th February 2016.

click to enlarge - feet especially

Clockwise from top left:   

1.  Gunner on the day we got him from the Kennels - a sad story in itself, Gunner's original people had gone on holiday.  On their return and before they could collect him from the kennels, Gunner's 'Mum' died.  'Dad', in poor health could not cope with Gunner alone.

2.  The warmest spot at the water tower - where a cluster of underfloor heating pipes channel through an opening.   Just look at those front feet.

3.  Gunner's hunting background and soft mouth came in useful for poo bags.

4. Mug shot.

5.  A favourite place - on a sheepskin rug in one of the water tower window recesses where he could keep an eye out for passing talent.   Gunner had an impressive pedigree and there are a good few Gunner look-alikes around here so he had a fulfilled early life.   He had been 'seen to' when he came to us, nursing some spectacularly swollen ex-testicles.

He never married.   R.I.P.