Mugusi

2003 - 2015

Sitting here at work thinking about Mugusi again. Today will be 1 week of her passing. Remembering things we've done in her 12 years of life on earth. I remember when we adopted Mugusi at 8 weeks old. We were living in the log cabin house on Barnes Road when Suzanne brought her home. The adoption fee was $75.00 for Mugusi. This was the best $75.00 ever spent. I'd give a Hundred Million Dollars to have her back!
I remember going up to the vet clinic where Suzanne was helping out. I just got off work one morning and I went up to see Suzanne for something. Well this cute little brown puppy with white markings with a white spot at the tip of her tail came running around the corner to greet me. She was very playful and happy to see me. I could tell from the way she was wagging her tail and the way she was trying to jump up on my lap, so I picked her up and held her for a bit.

This lady came out from the back of the clinic to retrieve the puppy so I asked her what the puppy's name was and she said, "Mugusi!"

"Mugusi," I asked. "What kind of name is that?"

Well it means the Enlightened One in Swahili. Supposedly, Mugusi was a Basenji "The barkless dog".
Well it took about two weeks to find out she wasn't a Basenji. One day Mugusi was at the front door of the log cabin barking at something and would not stop well that gave it away no Basenji there.
Later in her life we kind of figured she was a border collie Labrador retriever mixed. Driving to work that night I called home and told Suzanne I'll give her the $75.00 for the adoption fees to get Mugusi. She said it's already been taken care of Mugusi was our new family member.
At night we would put her in her cage in the living room that's were she would sleep sometimes. Well she didn't like any part of that. She sure learned to yelp and she wouldn't stop until dad would come down and bring her upstairs then she would sleep at the foot of our bed. Her dinner time was a laugh also. The kitchen, dining area and living room was one big opened area. Well, this eight week old puppy would jump up on the couch and sit on the back rest of the couch and watch us prepare her dinner. This was hilarious to watch this everyday. What amazed me is the love she had for cabbage, shredded carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, apples, pears, grapefruit, strawberries, peaches, watermelon, blueberries, and oranges. She didn't care for bananas, but would eat them as long as there was ice cream with them. We even made her a special smoothies.

On weekends when I would take Saturday and Sunday off from work, she had to have her one egg and bacon. I'd say I spoiled my little Gooser!

In the summer when we would pick veggies from the garden she liked to hang out by the asparagus patch and eat them as the would grow, we caught her there many a times. Then there were times at the log cabin I would be using the hot tub off the back of the house, Mugusi would jump in and we would set her back on the deck and there she goes back in the tub so what the hell, enjoy! She also enjoyed our swimming in our pool at the Onondaga Road house, she must have been part water dog.

One time I was doing some yard work so Mugusi went out in a small pen we put up for her, well she didn't like it there either. Next thing we knew she's out there digging a hole under the fence. Fill in the hole and there's a new hole. So that led to putting her on the leash. She liked being out in the garage with dad when I would be working on the Harleys. I'd be laying on the garage floor removing the oil drain plug to change the oil and she would always come over and start licking my face. That was her way of telling you she loved you . Well, I love you to sweetheart!

Playing hide and go seek, I don't care where you hid she knew right were to find you. It must have been her nose. What was also funny was Mugusi and Bailey were the last thing I saw when I left for work and the first thing I seen when I got home. I never knew a dog to read a clock. At a young age, Mugusi would sit at the door and whine if I wasn't home at a certain time. Taking Mugusi and Bailey to the store to get diesel fuel for the dually was comical. I'd ask Mugusi if she was going bye bye and she would always lick my right ear. She knew that we were also going for beef jerky her favorite treat.

She had many nicknames Goose, Goose Goose, Goosey, Gooser Helicopter Tail, Big Girl, but most of all " Mugusi"
Mugusi passed away on a Friday, 03/13/2015 at 3:14 p.m.

This was the worst pain we have ever experienced loosing our baby. She lived 12 years and almost one month with us. That's 84 years human life. Her birth date was on Valentines Day of 2003.
She's crossed the Rainbow Bridge waiting for the ones that gave her love and took care of her here on earth.
God Bless you "Mugusi "
Mugusi was a very unique dog, we'll never find another to replace you. Mom and Dad love you very much.
We were both happy that we had the opportunity to have you in our life. You taught us a lot in those fun loving 12 years.

You were a friend to all and a teacher to Bailey. Since you've been gone poor Bailey and Bella aren't the same.
The pain of your death will be with me and mom for a long time. We have your ashes at home and we promise to take good care of them.

We will see again someday in the future at the rainbow bridge.
We Love you and miss you every minute.
Goose GOOSE 💙

Love you forever !
Dad, Bailey & Bella