Garner Kramer-Forgey,

Garner Kramer-Forgey, the big, beautiful, beloved Newfoundland boy belonging to Pete Forgey and Katherine “Katie” Kramer crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday July 31, 2024. 

In the sweetest words of Pete, “Last night at 11:30 Garner gently put a paw on me and woke me from a nice, relaxing dream and said, ‘Dad, I am tired of the pain, and it is time for me to go.’ This morning at 8:30, with a trusting look and deep sigh, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge to run, swim and play pain free and be reunited with Buddy and Ulla.”

Garner was born on Saturday, September 20, 2014. in British Columbia, Canada and maintained dual citizenship. According to Katie “When he barked it was -woof woof eh?” Garner then immigrated to the USA in December of 2014 to join Katie and Pete, along with his new forever family of Buddy and Ulla in Vancouver, Washington. Garner was a ruggedly handsome, loyal, sweet-tempered and intelligent pup. He was appropriately named after the famous actor James Garner, who also had those same characteristics that were so rare in his industry. Garner joined two other Canadian born Newfs: Buddy and Tallulah “Ulla “. Buddy was a black Newf and Ulla was a Landseer Newf which is black and white. 

In 2008, Katie and Pete partnered with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where the school, known as the “Pioneers” introduced a new logo with a Newfoundland dog. Buddy was the first live mascot at Lewis & Clark. When Garner joined the family, he started tagging along as the mascot’s little brother. When they were on campus they were called “Pio” They went to football games where Buddy led the team onto the field along with attending student and alumni events with Garner becoming the mascot in training.

While Buddy was the mascot the college commissioned a Seattle artist to sculpt a life-size figure in bronze of Pio.  Buddy was one of the models and attended the unveiling ceremony. They gave Buddy his college letter and inducted him into their athletic hall of fame in a big ceremony.

Sadly, in July of 2018, Buddy passed away, which meant that Garner had big paws to fill. Garner took over the role of 'Pio' and did a magnificent job. He even had his own parking spot by the football field, right next to the college president! He was the mascot up until two years ago when he and his family moved to Indiana. He was and still is greatly missed at the college. "They truly became members of not only our athletic department but the entire L&C community and their presence on campus will be deeply missed.”-Lewis & Clark College Associate Director of Physical Education & Athletics - Senior Woman Administrator Sharon Sexton. Buddy and Garner were true celebrities at Lewis & Clark College!

Garner loved to travel. His favorite trip was to the beautiful Oregon coast. He enjoyed taking walks with his dad along the ocean. Garner really loved being with his family, as long as he was with family, he was happy.

Katie owned her own business and Garner went with her to the office every day, where he became a good insurance advisor and greeted all of Katie’s clients with a tail wag.

After numerous surgeries over his almost 10, too short, years Garner spent his last days with his health continuing to decline and being in extreme pain. After much heartfelt discussions Katie and Pete made the decision to ease Garner’s suffering. 

Pete sadly expressed, “No more will he almost knock my laptop off my lap, demanding attention. No more will he awaken me at 4:00 in the morning to tell me it is time for me to go to the bathroom as he lays back down to sleep. No more will he bark loudly, alerting us to someone at the door. No more will he let the people at the drive-thru know that he is in the car and needs a treat. No more will he have a “conversation” with the dogs next door. No more will he slap me to tell me to continue to pet him until he is finished. No more will he jump to attention and head to the door as soon as I ask him if he wants to go for a ride in the car. No more will he lay on my feet until he decides to move, or it is time for me to fix his dinner. No more will he greet me at the door, barking, tail wagging and jumping on me as if I had been gone for a year instead of an hour or two. The tears are not for his passing, as he is now pain free, but for the deep hole left in our hearts at the loss of our beloved friend and protector. Goodbye sweet Garner, I know that Buddy, Ulla and you will greet us when the time comes.” 

Newfies are known to be stoically dignified and loyal and sweet.Gentle Garner was the epitome of these traits. Garner loved Katie and Pete, if not for the pain, he would have remained by their side for as long as time would allow. If love could have saved him, Garner would have remained by their side forever. The staff at Always and Furever In Our Hearts Pet Cremation Services are honored to serve the family of Garner Kramer-Forgey, 

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