Very apprehensive still, seeking constant interaction and reassurance.
He’s a big boy, at 125 pounds. Well trained, although walking is a bit of a problem if he sees a squirrel.
He is curious about everything.
He loves the back yard, almost as if it is a magical place to him.
Our first meeting, at a McDonald’s in Joliet, IL, about 30 minutes from my house.
Author: otisandtess
Otis, an 8 year old 106 lb. lab/Dane mix, became a Tripawd on February 9, 2016 after his right front leg broke due to osteosarcoma. We did 4 rounds of carboplatin, but lung mets were discovered on Agust 25, and he passed on September 4. Otis was half of a bonded pair, and his adopted sister Tess, passed suddenly of hemangiosarcoma on October 9. The day before Tess passed, a local lab rescue group had identfied Gator, a 120 pound 6 year old yellow in need of a home, as a potential companion for her. His picture was on my phone, and my house needed a dog. . .
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15 thoughts on “Welcome to Gator!”
Hello, big Gator! My husband’s cousin has a big Lab boy named Gator, too… he lives in FL appropriately enough.
So handsome and, yes, a little uncertain, but boy, does he look DELIGHTED with his back yard! Seems so very promising! So happy for you both… Have we met any kitties?
Wow! What a great homecoming for him. He looks like he will settle in quickly and be a whole lot more comfortable soon. He is one lucky dog…and as you said, he’s BIG!
The very first thing I noticed, the very first, is the look in his eyes! The veil of uncertainty has been replaced with joy and relief!!
The waynhe stands soooo proud and so happy in the magical backyard Paradise says it all! And this is just day one!!
He has such a big smoochable muzzle too! So much to smooch!
To me, one of the greatest gifts in lofe is to be able to sleep with a dog (or dogs) by my side in bed! I hope Gator, and his Gator stuffy, leave you some room!
Otis and Tess sent you a real sweetheart! ,I wonder who theynhave in mind fornyiu next!! 🙂
LOVE
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too y
Awwwwww! he’s such a gorgeous boy. Great pics of him enjoying his new home and that one in the yard is beautiful. It even has a certain magical fairytale quality to it, something about the light and the way he is standing.
Gator has found his happily ever after…
Lovely pic of you both together too.
Sending love
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Love all the pictures of him smiling. The one in your yard shows especially a happy relaxed boy look at his ear placement in that one. He’s totally a hunk of love. This just has a fairy tale ending attached to it I think. “And they lived happily ever after” is what you deserve Christine!
He is beautiful! And it didn’t take long for that smile to come out. It will be so much fun for you both as he explores and accepts his new life. Both of you do indeed deserve a “happily ever after”. Congratulations on the new addition, sent from your angels in heaven.
He is a big boy. Beautiful. I noticed that smile. The first meeting with you he wasn’t sure but boy once he got home that smile really came out. Otis & Tess sure picked a sweet one out for you.
He is very very proud.
hugs to you & your family
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
What a gorgeous smile he has!!! He is beautiful! I am not familiar with normal lab sizes … is that really big? I have always had dogs under 40 pounds!
So happy he’s home and adjusting well. Curious is a great sign! Jasper hid a lot her first couple of days home but in hindsight, I think she knew she hit the jackpot and didn’t want to be forced to leave! LOL
So happy to see these photos!!!
xo
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
60 – 80 pounds is more standard for a male. Topping 100 is big for the breed. Of course, Otis was not a pure bred and I can guarantee Gator is not either. Labs have a habit of jumping fences.😀
Hooray! Gator is here! (there?) He is beautiful and BIG! I’m so happy you have him and vice versa – I was thinking of you most of the weekend. Evidently not enough to log in but I was thinking of you. My money says he is food motivated (as an understatement) – I’ve never met a lab that wasn’t all food, all the time. Congrats and can’t wait to see more pictures and reports! Have fun!
Not the least bit food motivated. I have never had a lab who wasn’t so training is a challenge. Very critter motivated – 125 pounds of dog chasing a squirrel dragging me along at the end of a leash requires a new training method,
Hello, big Gator! My husband’s cousin has a big Lab boy named Gator, too… he lives in FL appropriately enough.
So handsome and, yes, a little uncertain, but boy, does he look DELIGHTED with his back yard! Seems so very promising! So happy for you both… Have we met any kitties?
Wow! What a great homecoming for him. He looks like he will settle in quickly and be a whole lot more comfortable soon. He is one lucky dog…and as you said, he’s BIG!
HOLY MOLY! He IS a big boy!!
The very first thing I noticed, the very first, is the look in his eyes! The veil of uncertainty has been replaced with joy and relief!!
The waynhe stands soooo proud and so happy in the magical backyard Paradise says it all! And this is just day one!!
He has such a big smoochable muzzle too! So much to smooch!
To me, one of the greatest gifts in lofe is to be able to sleep with a dog (or dogs) by my side in bed! I hope Gator, and his Gator stuffy, leave you some room!
Otis and Tess sent you a real sweetheart! ,I wonder who theynhave in mind fornyiu next!! 🙂
LOVE
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too y
Awwwwww! he’s such a gorgeous boy. Great pics of him enjoying his new home and that one in the yard is beautiful. It even has a certain magical fairytale quality to it, something about the light and the way he is standing.
Gator has found his happily ever after…
Lovely pic of you both together too.
Sending love
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Love all the pictures of him smiling. The one in your yard shows especially a happy relaxed boy look at his ear placement in that one. He’s totally a hunk of love. This just has a fairy tale ending attached to it I think. “And they lived happily ever after” is what you deserve Christine!
He is beautiful! And it didn’t take long for that smile to come out. It will be so much fun for you both as he explores and accepts his new life. Both of you do indeed deserve a “happily ever after”. Congratulations on the new addition, sent from your angels in heaven.
Paula and Nitro
He is absolutely beautiful, tears of happiness for you Christine! Big hugs and kisses to you both! Summer Patchy and Pack
He is a big boy. Beautiful. I noticed that smile. The first meeting with you he wasn’t sure but boy once he got home that smile really came out. Otis & Tess sure picked a sweet one out for you.
He is very very proud.
hugs to you & your family
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
What a gorgeous smile he has!!! He is beautiful! I am not familiar with normal lab sizes … is that really big? I have always had dogs under 40 pounds!
So happy he’s home and adjusting well. Curious is a great sign! Jasper hid a lot her first couple of days home but in hindsight, I think she knew she hit the jackpot and didn’t want to be forced to leave! LOL
So happy to see these photos!!!
xo
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
60 – 80 pounds is more standard for a male. Topping 100 is big for the breed. Of course, Otis was not a pure bred and I can guarantee Gator is not either. Labs have a habit of jumping fences.😀
Congrats! He’s adorable. Love the big puppies. Glad that you both have each other.
Karma, Adelaide and the crew, and always with our angel Brendol
Welcome Gator! Congrats, he is so gorgeous! Absolutely love the photos of him, keep them coming! xxx
Hooray! Gator is here! (there?) He is beautiful and BIG! I’m so happy you have him and vice versa – I was thinking of you most of the weekend. Evidently not enough to log in but I was thinking of you. My money says he is food motivated (as an understatement) – I’ve never met a lab that wasn’t all food, all the time. Congrats and can’t wait to see more pictures and reports! Have fun!
Not the least bit food motivated. I have never had a lab who wasn’t so training is a challenge. Very critter motivated – 125 pounds of dog chasing a squirrel dragging me along at the end of a leash requires a new training method,
Absolutely wonderful to see!! XXX