Remembering Our Past Fur Family - Gypsy

Last but certainly not least in our past fur family is Gypsy who is the bottom left corner of the photo above. She is the one with the huge smile which was indicative of her character. Gypsy came to us at two years old and lived until she was 14.5 years old. Prior to her coming to live with us full time (we had previously doggy set her) she was mostly kept outside by her prior owners. She had to deal with coyotes, bears and mountain lions living outside. She was not chained up nor did she have a fenced in area to keep her safe. She was allowed into the garden room on very cold nights but was outside most of the time. A friend finally convinced her prior owners to surrender her to us.

She had a close encounter with a bear having been chased. With her prior owners they didn't know she had gotten out of the vehicle at the post office and they pulled off without her. They were a few miles down the road before they realized she was gone. Fortunately when they went back she was huddled up and shivering but safe. They she was involved in an auto accident with her prior owners. We were able to keep her safe except when I was walking her down the road on leash and a coyote ran out after her. Our dog Ben who could be very frightening dissuaded the coyote immediately.

With us she was an inside family member and safe. Gypsy in spite of her being in a roll over accident was a good traveler and she was always happy like she is in her picture. She had a wonderful personality and was never out of our sight. She did exact her revenge on a bear that had wandered up and was right outside the door that goes under our house. She could smell a bear a long way off and when she would get excited we knew there was a bear around. On that occasion I went on the front deck to see where the bear was and she went out with me. When she saw the bear she ran along the slanted overhang and leaped off and landed in the middle of the bears back. I have never seen a bear as scared in my life. It bolted and ran up the nearest tree wondering what happened. I quickly retrieved her to the bears delight and it came down and ran (actually ran) off and never came back.

Gypsy was an important part of our fur family and I hold a special place in my heart for her and will always miss her. She ended up with a long,happy and healthy (and safe) life until the very end. We miss that smiling face of hers and having her curl up in my lap.

For now this is the end of our past fur family.