WILMINGTON — The story of Gibson, the 3-year-old boxer-mix who was shot and killed in his own backyard is tragic for his family, but in a serendipitous turn of events, they are getting a chance to have at least a small part of their beloved pet back.
Gibson, like most dogs, was born in a litter with brothers and sisters who were eventually adopted out from an animal hospital. Earlier this month, Leigh West, Gibson’s owner, got a call from College Road Animal Hospital — a call she had not been expecting.
“On Friday we got a call from College Road Animal Hospital [CRAH] letting us know that the family that adopted Gibson’s brother were no longer able to keep him. They needed to relinquish him, but the CRAH’s Paws adoption program is full right now. I was immediately flooded with so many emotions. We were in no way looking for another dog. We were nowhere near ready. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready again,” she wrote in a Facebook group called Justice for Gibson.
Unsure about taking in another dog so soon after losing her pet, the family decided to do an overnight test run with the pet.
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“Losing Gibson broke my heart into pieces. But sometimes things happen for a reason. Sometimes the things you weren’t even looking for fall into the exact right places. We decided to meet him and have a trial run overnight. I wasn’t sure at first, but I realized quickly that this little boy had adopted me. He is the sweetest baby and looks so much like his brother. He follows me everywhere I go, and I am his person now,” West wrote.
While nothing can bring back Gibson, having his brother has brought some joy back to West and her family.
“He’s absolutely perfect. He’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever met and we have fallen in love with him. It’s so tragic what happened to Gibson but it’s like having a piece of him back,” she said.
It’s more than just chance though, West said that when she first adopted Gibson, ‘Baby Dog’ (Gibson’s brother), he was in her top three choices.
“I remember when the pups first came to CRAH and I was trying to decide who I wanted, he was in the top three. I honestly feel like Gibson has found his way back home to us in some strange way. I am overwhelmed with emotions and my heart is so full it feels like it’s going to burst … When I look in his sweet eyes, I see my sweet Gibson. Fate, destiny, stars aligned just right…whatever it may be, I feel whole again,” she said.
The case continues
As far as the legal issues surrounding Gibson’s death go, the case has been continued from it’s early June date, and will likely be continued again.
“I can tell you the case has been continued again. I spoke to the DA’s office last week and they said it will likely be continued several more times as it makes it was through the process and most likely into superior court. Right now there is a date listed on September 5th but I believe it’s just a place holder. She mentioned that there is a possibility that it will be handed off to a different prosecutor who has a passion for animal cruelty cases,” West said.
As for West’s efforts to encourage District Attorney Ben David to prosecute Gibson’s killer to the fullest extent of the law, her group Justice for Gibson has managed to acquire more than 800 signatures on a petition to ask him to do so.
“We are hopeful about that. We have over 800 signed petitions and people are still out there getting more. We are so grateful to the people in the community who have helped us be Gibson’s voice,” West said.
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