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Searching for Gomez is an extraordinary true love story about the search for a vulnerable senior heart dog who is lost in hostile bushland, and needs help to get home.
It's also about an unprecedented response by a community of dog lovers on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, who come together to find Gomez.
But it's also about the wonder and joy of dogs: love, grief, the importance of community, the positive use of social media and the power and solace of kindness, empathy, hope and commitment, and the need to ask for and accept the help of others.
On the eve of #WorldKindnessDay (13 November 2024), we spoke to the Author, Gwenda Gray, about why she decided to share their story.
“Gomez was my “heart dog”, a very special and precious dog with whom I had a deep heart connection. I probably realised that Gomez was my heart dog when there was a risk of losing him to cancer at four years of age. Until then, Gomez had tested my patience as an extremely challenging pup, and we were only just beginning to settle into an easier relationship. I had always loved him, and I knew that there was something special about him.
When he had the diagnosis of a malignant tumour, I did not question the need to do everything I possibly could to help him to fight the cancer. I knew that he had the strength to do so, but that he also needed my unswerving commitment.
I felt the intensity of our attachment and that bond kept us both motivated through a challenging year of surgeries and chemotherapy, heartbreak when the tumour returned and then joy with his unexpected recovery.
Some dogs are trained to be “emotional support dogs”, but Gomez was a “natural”, with his cheerful and wonderfully distracting style. He did not like it if I was upset, but would just get close to me, and often do something quite silly, where I had no choice but to laugh.
Some dogs are trained to be “emotional support dogs”, but Gomez was a “natural”, with his cheerful and wonderfully distracting style. He did not like it if I was upset, but would just get close to me, and often do something quite silly, where I had no choice but to laugh.
Gomez did a wonderful job of looking after me when I needed him.
People absolutely adored Gomez, everywhere we went, and he had a strong fan following!
Gomez did the most wonderful job of looking after me, and I did a wonderful job of looking after him, firstly when he had cancer, and then as he aged and needed special care and attention. He needed me, and I did everything I could to help him to be happy, comfortable and safe. I also had so much joy from my interactions with him and so many belly laughs.
My life with Gomez and his older brother Monty, then his younger sister Priya, was full of fun with outings to the beach, daily time at the dog park, beach holidays and playdates. I always tried to take my dogs everywhere and they were always such wonderful company. The unconditional love received from dogs is such a solace from the busy and sometimes unkind world. As a single person, my dogs have given me so much.
When Gomez was just over fifteen years of age, we were renting a house in Buderim, bordered by dense and treacherous bushland, having moved to the Sunshine Coast a couple of months before.
When Gomez was just over fifteen years of age, we were renting a house in Buderim, bordered by dense and treacherous bushland, having moved to the Sunshine Coast a couple of months before.
As a senior dog, Gomez naturally had some health issues. He had a toe removed at eleven, lost a lot of weight at twelve years and had eye surgery at thirteen which did not really work, leading to stains coming down from his eyes. His tumour became a little larger and started to put pressure on his bowels, so he had some problems with incontinence. Gomez needed constant care and reassurance, and I spent time gently cleaning him up after his accidents.
Searching for Gomez is available in paperback (RRP $43.99) and Kindle ($5.99) on Amazon AU.
1) Like our post (12/11/24) + Facebook page and/or our Instagram Account
Gomez had also gradually developed arthritis over a few years, and this was managed by a range of medications and regular gentle exercise.
He was also very deaf, and only responded to a high voice and clapping, unless he could see me, when he responded to eye contact and hand signals.
It was rare for me to have a full night’s sleep, as I would listen out for him, as he sometimes had what sounded like a panic attack, where his breathing was erratic and ragged until he relaxed to my touch. While he still lived life to the full, he knew he needed some extra help and accepted it from me. I had an end of life plan, but it was not yet time.
So when my beautiful and vulnerable senior boy went missing in the bushland, I knew that I had to find him, and I knew that I needed help to do so. The thought of him alone and scared, and possibly injured, filled me with horror and heartbreak. Gomez needed me, his medicine and safety. And as you'll read in my book "Searching for Gomez", my precious heart dog inspired a whole community to help me bring him home.”
So when my beautiful and vulnerable senior boy went missing in the bushland, I knew that I had to find him, and I knew that I needed help to do so. The thought of him alone and scared, and possibly injured, filled me with horror and heartbreak. Gomez needed me, his medicine and safety. And as you'll read in my book "Searching for Gomez", my precious heart dog inspired a whole community to help me bring him home.”
*** Win 1 of 3 copies of Searching for Gomez, signed by Gwenda Gray ***
(Total Prize Pool: $132.00)
HOW TO ENTER:
1) Like our post (12/11/24) + Facebook page and/or our Instagram Account
2) Tell us "why you'd love to read the powerful story of this unique bond" via our Facebook page or Instagram page.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. This Competition opened on Tuesday 12th November 2024 (4:00pm, AEST) and closed on Thursday 21st November 2024 (11:59pm, AEST). Open to Australian residents only.
1. This Competition opened on Tuesday 12th November 2024 (4:00pm, AEST) and closed on Thursday 21st November 2024 (11:59pm, AEST). Open to Australian residents only.
Congratulations to our winners this week: M. Gardner, T. Reynolds, A. Prenzler (via Facebook).
Please allow 1-2 weeks to receive your book directly from the Publisher.
2. To Enter, Like our post (12/11/24) + Tell us "why you'd love to read the powerful story of this unique bond" via the Australian Dog Lover Facebook page or Instagram page.
3. This Promotion is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winner.
The entries will be judged by the Australian Dog Lover team. The winning entries will be selected based on the most creative, informative or useful statement.
The entries will be judged by the Australian Dog Lover team. The winning entries will be selected based on the most creative, informative or useful statement.
4. Entrants in the competition can only enter once.
5. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be redrawn.
* Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of all terms and conditions.
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