It seems that Gonzo has stolen the hearts of so many of you! Since I shared the story a few days ago, tons of you have reached out wanting to be updated on what has been happening since his journey home. You can find the original post *here*

Again, I didn’t take these photos, nor did I write these words, but so many of you have been asking for an update….and so I’m passing it along! 🙂

What started off as an email to a local news station has turned into an ever-evolving story.   ‘The Story of Gonzo’ has gone viral.  As of Saturday (2/9), the story has had near 2400 shares.  Karen McMillan, Corey’s mother, was contacted on Wednesday (2/6) and asked to share the details of Gonzo’s journey.  Karen reached out to me.  This is where I, Jamie (Vallo) Margiotti, came into the picture to share what has happened over the past week.  Never did we imagine how much this story would affect peoples’ lives.  People from all over the U.S. are sending messages and sharing stories about Corey and Gonzo.

 

Here is a glimpse of what has occurred over the past few days…….

On Thursday (2/7), Gonzo was reunited with his beloved owner.  The funeral home made special arrangements to have Gonzo and Corey’s mother, father, brother and sister, see Corey for the first time.  Gonzo immediately ran up to the casket, put his paws on it and starting licking Corey’s hair.  This is when Gonzo knew that Karen, Shawn, Colton and Jamie were not strangers.  They were Corey’s family members.  They were now HIS family.  Gonzo’s family.

 

Corey attended West Virginia University from 2008-2010.  When he was contemplating joining this traveling group, one of his friends decided to surprise him with a traveling companion.  She presented Corey with a 6-week old puppy.  Corey named him Gonzo.  Then, the journey began.  A story began.  A boy and his dog.  Traveling all over the United States.

 

Friday (2/8) was the viewing.  Seeing Corey holding Gonzo’s collar in his hand provided a sense of comfort for many people.  Corey’s friends from WVU trekked through the snow storm and paid their respects.  They had not seen Corey in two years since he began his travels.  At the end of the night, the funeral director, Jim Ferguson, told Karen to bring Gonzo back to the funeral home.  When Gonzo entered, this group of friends from WVU, including the friend who presented Corey with the puppy two years ago, were reunited with Gonzo.  They hadn’t seen him since he was 6-weeks old.  Once again, Gonzo ran up to his companion, put his paws on the casket and began licking his hair. Gonzo seemed comforted.

 

Not only is Gonzo a member of the McMillan family, he is now a member of the Blairsville community.  Corey’s 17-year old brother, Colton, is now the proud owner of Gonzo.  But there’s more to it.  Gonzo seems like the community’s dog.  People are coming out of the woodwork asking what they can do for Gonzo.  People are offering to dog sit him, walk him, buy him supplies, etc.  He has had so many toys, food and supplies bought for him over the past few days.  People are stopping by just to see Gonzo.  I like to refer to him as the most famous dog!

 

Saturday (2/9) was the funeral service for Corey.  The McMillan family was surprised by a family from Illinois.  During Corey’s travels, there was a man he met outside of the Dollar Store.  This man opened up his home to Corey, two other travelers, Gonzo and another dog.  This man fed the boys hobo chili.  Wouldn’t you know, Corey made sure that the dogs were fed first.  Then, he proceeded to eat.  This man, his wife and his daughter became friends with Corey and Gonzo.  There were many times during Corey’s travels that he passed through St. Louis and would stop at this man’s house in Illinois.  This man’s 9-year old daughter pleaded with her father to come to the service.  They arrived at 2:30am and he spoke at the service.  He mentioned that his daughter adored Corey and fell in love with his big brown eyes.  She recently wrote an essay. She won first prize.  The essay was about Corey and, of course, his big brown eyes!

 

You see, stories about Corey and Gonzo are popping up everywhere.  Corey and Gonzo have inspired many lives throughout their journey.  Gonzo will continue to inspire the family, friends, community and strangers.  When you see Gonzo walking through Blairsville, stop and say hi or give him a wave.  Speaking of Gonzo going on a walk, I want to share what happened on the first walk that Karen took him on.  He knew to stop at every crosswalk.  He would stop and look both ways.  He saw a train car, or whatever you call it, stopped along the railroad tracks and he pulled towards it.  He thought he was to get on it.

 

Corey’s ultimate goal was to be along the west coast in Oregon with Gonzo by his side.  They tried to make it there twice but came up short.  Corey was cremated and part of his ashes were buried next to his grandfather at The Blairsville Cemetery.  What will happen with the other part of his ashes?  Corey’s family hopes to some day be able to take a trip to Oregon and take Corey to his final resting place.  Many people have asked me what can they do to help out Gonzo and the McMillan family.  Here is what you can consider doing – a memorial fund has been set up through Comerica Bank to collect money to send the family to Oregon.  Corey was known as MC.  That was his nickname.  Donations can be made out to –

MC’s Final Journey

Jamie Margiotti

PO BOX 1134

Mansfield, TX 76063

 

Gonzo has become a household name.  Many people are enthralled with this guardian angel.  Everyone can read upcoming articles and watch Gonzo get up close and personal with various local media in the days to come. 

In times of darkness, there is light.  This is a story about how a dog brought his owner home, and how a dog’s love for his master never faded, even after death.  Shine on Corey and Gonzo, shine on!

 

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