Marty McFly may have traveled to the future, but we’re sure there’s nothing he would do to go back to the past.
Fifty-nine-year-old Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox is mourning the death of his beloved dog named Gus. The Back to the Future star recently announced the heartbreaking news through Instagram. In a touching memoir, Fox called referred to his 12-year-old pooch as a wonder dog. He also described him as a constant source of support as he fought his long-standing battle against Parkinson’s disease.
In his caption, Fox said he would dearly miss Gus, a great dog and a loyal friend to him over the years. He proceeds to reference a couple of pages from No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, his memoir from 2020. Aside from his touching tribute, Fox also uploaded several photos of him and Gus through the years via his Instagram stories.
The Great Dane-Labrador mix had been a devoted companion for Fox, who is battling Parkinson’s Disease. He even described his late canine companion as a reliable companion who has been a source of support during the struggles with his health.
In his touching tribute, Fox said that he didn’t rescue Gus. And while many would say that the canine saved him, Fox believes that Gus would be too modest to make such a claim. Last year, Fox openly spoke about Gus’s impact on his life during an episode of The Pet Project in CBS’s primetime special.
Fox went public about his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998 and shared how the disease was a force multiplier. But despite the difficulties, he said that having an animal by your side who you connect with makes you feel, regardless of your situation. He added that having a chronic illness makes you isolate yourself and makes your world feel small, leaving you little to deal with. However, when you have a dog by your side, you will feel open.
And for him, Gus played a significant role in his ordeal, especially as he relearned how to walk after his 2018 surgery, where a tumor had to be removed from his spinal cord. The Family Ties alum shared that Gus was waiting for him when he returned home in a wheelchair from the hospital. Fox had an interview with CBS News’ Lee Cowan, where he shared that Gus happily circles his wheelchair, barks, and sits in front of him, giving him a look as if to say that everything will be okay.
Run free in dog heaven, Gus!
Source: Michael J Fox / Instagram