We got Zoey about 11 years ago. She was a rescue dog about 2 - 3 years old. She gave us her heart and we gave her ours.
Yesterday we learned that she had advanced cancer and we had to put her to sleep. It was awful to have to say goodbye to her. I just wanted to take her back home and have everything be ok.
Every morning I wake up first and as I sit up in bed she would be there. Happy to see me and yes, of course, I need to pet her and tell her good morning. And then it's "come on, come on" it's time to feed her. She would go half way down the stairs and then look back to make sure I was coming.
Then throughout the day she wanted to be by us. When I was home she would follow me down to my office. During the day my wife worked at home and he would sprawl out in her office. When we were out and got home she would go nuts barking until we got in the door just frantic to see us.
At times she would grab her dog bowl and carry it around or cause it to roll. And she would cry in anguish over it. It was the funniest thing. She also had a stuffed moose that she carried around much of the time and was so proud of it, constantly showing it to us.
She loved walks. Especially when she saw a bunny that she could chase after. Or when we got to the park and could throw the ball for her. The last couple of years as she got old that all slowed down but when she was younger she had incredible energy.
And she was a guy's dog. I could rough house with her and she loved it. She was a total alpha dog having to go through the door before the other dogs. She would come to me first when we all walked in together. In a house with all girls (my wife & 3 daughters), she was in my corner.
But mostly she loved being with us. We would sit down to read and she would plop down next to us, very content to just be there. Or we would pet her and her tail would wag and wag and she would happily sit next to us forever as we did that.
This morning I woke up and there was no one there happy to see me awake. No feeding her breakfast. No keeping me company while I make my breakfast. When I come home she won't be there overjoyed to see me home.
She gave us her heart and her love and asked nothing in return. She was always there for us. She rescued us every bit as much as we rescued her. Our lives were so much better for having her in them. And we lost her way too soon.
I love you Zoey. And I miss you. I miss you so much. I want you back so bad.
