[Bear Island South]

Thank you to everyone who commented, it has been and emotional few days for our family. Gus was our first family pet, and not just a pet but a member of the family.
We spoiled him and in return he gave us some great memories.

I found this from a 2004 article in the Boston Globe:

It’s a bit tearing but so true on the love these blessed dogs bring to us..
They should come with a warning label, these creatures. They should come with a label that says you're going to fall hopelessly in love, only to have your heart shattered before you could ever possibly prepare. And then you face one of life's truly wrenching decisions.

In the end Gus suffered from a cancerous tumor in his nose and nasal cavity so it came down to a decision of quality of life.