[Southpaw]

I am sure you have fond memories of Gator and so will your boys. Gator lives on with you, them and everyone he touched that much is certain. I sometimes forget my own name seems like but I can still vividly remember each and every dog that came through my life and some the great and bad events plus a whole bunch of other horses and interesting cats since grew up on a gentlemen's farm. As many bird dogs, retrievers and yard dogs we had its amazing what you remember about the animals that touch you.

There will never be another dog like Gator for you but I'll bet there will be some more good ones to come. It is not right the good ones can't last longer than you want them too.

I still remember my first dog or at least the one that I called mine. It was an old Brittany named Ranger that my dad had retired to the yard. I was bad rambunctious 3 and 4 year old and that dog thought I was its pup or something. He had nice spot in the garage with an old piece of tent canvas tied around an old sofa cushion. He stayed there every chance he got and would not move a muscle for hardly anyone else unless it was time to eat. But if I came out he pulled himself up and where I went he tirelessly hobbled behind me. We also had a big dinner bell that you could hear ring along way off. Rule was when bell rang it was time to come running home, original text messaging. I would race Ranger home and I always won but he was right behind me going as hard as he could. Fond memories and I'm sure your boys will have their Gator memories.