HELLERTOWN, Pa. — Scanning her property on Friday morning as the wind whipped through the crisp autumn air, Nanette Keck's eyes filled with tears that weren't caused by cold breeze.
"There's a hole in my heart," Keck said, placing a hand on her chest.
"He just laid down and went to sleep."Nanette Keck about her late pet buffalo, Gus
Her beloved Gus, a 23-year-old bison who became a mascot in the Hellertown community he called home, passed away Wednesday.
"He just laid down and went to sleep." Keck said.
The bison's health had been declining for some time, despite Gus' veterinarian trying a variety of tactics to help the animal both fend off parasites and regain weight he had lost.
But at some point, you can chalk it up to resilience: The big boy had exceeded the species' life expectancy by nearly three years.
Keck turned her head to see a car pull up to her property; inside sat Tolly Sinko, a neighbor and one of Gus' biggest fans.
On her way toNew Bethany Ministries, where she often would donate produce to the less fortunate, Keck would stop by and toss Gus a treat or two.
"I am just so sad that he's gone," Sinko said, holding Keck's hand. "I loved Gus so much."
"We all did," Keck replied.
Hellertown's unofficial mascot
The Hellertown and Lower Saucon communities took quite a liking to Gus throughout the time that Keck owned him.
His enclosure backed up to the Giant Supermarket on Route 412, giving community members a convenient and up-close view of the bison.
"I think to myself sometimes, 'Man, we really raised a buffalo. Seeing all this support, it's clear he meant a lot to people."Nanette Keck about her late pet buffalo, Gus
Some shoppers would leave the big guy treats, such as fruits, vegetables and sweets. Some would snap selfies. Others would just sit and say hello, watching as Gus foraged on grass.
He also became quite the commodity on social media, with users on the HELLERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA Facebook group often posting pictures of Gus and commenting on his whereabouts.
Upon hearing of his passing, members of the community were to quick to show their support.
"One of our greatest memories of moving to the area, was the day we spotted Gus. What a community treasure he was," said Colleen Marshall.
Stacey Rivera suggested that it should be taken up with the township to build a statue commemorating the buffalo, saying that "We should set up a GoFundMe."
"I think to myself sometimes, 'Man, we really raised a buffalo,'" Keck said. "Seeing all this support, it's clear he meant a lot to people."
She added, "I just want to thank everyone who brought him goodies over the years.
"You were so kind to him."
New beginnings
Despite feeling an insurmountable amount of grief, Keck said she is determined to pick up the pieces and "regroup."
And sometimes, animal therapy is all that you need.
Walking into her backyard, Keck opened the fence to reveal little Winnie, a miniature horse that she bought from a farm in Ronks, Lancaster County.
Keck purchased her in early October, right when Gus was beginning to deteriorate.
The little horse is small but mighty; when she wasn't demanding "scratchies" from "Grammy," she darted around the backyard, neighing in delight.
She also was receptive to hugs and kisses from her new mom.
"She could never replace Gus," Keck says with a smile, running a brush up and down the horse's thick coat. "But she's my new friend."
However, she knows that Gus will always be "Right here with me."
