Gatehouse Mastiffs' Rainbow Bridge

Shantytown Gonna Letit Slide, RN, CGC

Tyson at 8 years old - Fall 2006

Ty at almost 9 years old - June 2007

Tyson was purchased on a spur of the moment decision. We went to look at a litter of Rottweiler pups that a “backyard breeder” had for sale. I just wanted to go ask questions about health testing that I knew they wouldn’t be able to answer and maybe educate them a little bit -- but there was one pup I fell in love with. He was the only one in the litter that looked even close to a ‘nice’ quality Rottie… and he was such a sweetheart. He came up to me and climbed into my lap and gave me kisses with that sweet puppy breath… nobody can resist puppy breath -- I don’t care who you are!

Tyson thought he was a lap dog. It was a rarity for anyone to come to my house without ending up with “The Tyne-Tyne” on his or her lap. His favorite place to sit was on the footrest of the recliner when it was leaned back – of course blocking the view of the TV so I could only pay attention to HIM.

When Tyson was 8 1/2 years old, I made the decision to take him to a few shows and get his Rally Novice obedience title. He had been obedience trained before the Mastiffs came along, and I felt that it was only fair for him to be able to earn a title that he so deserved. Ty finished his Rally Novice title in 3 straight shows a week before his 9th birthday and placed in his class 2 out of 3 times. He made me so proud. He had never been to a dog show before in his life, but he took the crowds, strange dogs, camping the heat of the summer - even posing in ridiculous places for the sake of a good photo - all in stride.

My sweet Tyson passed away at home on the evening of January 13, 2008, after a week-long fight with pancreatitis. He was only sick for a week, and only truly suffered badly for the last few hours. The 9 years he was in my life went so quickly, and it was not nearly as long as I wanted him to stay...

blowing out his candles on his 3rd birthday

Ty teaching his little brother Banner to be a "lapweiler" :o)

8 years old, watching "Uncle Collin" eat lunch. Mmmmm

Tyson's beautiful smile!

Don't miss me too much, the view is nice and I'm doing just fine.