Year 2011 Tributes

For pet names beginning with "Z".

Zeus was my first dog and a Rescue. He was pit/lab mix and only 5 months old when I brought him home. I was so new at this and a bit scared and he was, too. I made a vow when I got him that I would be the best dog owner possible. We formed a bond and friendship that I never knew was possible. Zeus was my best friend for many years and we had so much fun together playing ball, hiking, swimming (his favorite thing to do), gardening (I planted and he dug), car rides and hanging out with friends and family. Zeus was with me through job changes, new homes and new relationships. He could always make me smile when I was down, with his licks and snuggles. I learned so much from Zeus, the biggest lesson was unconditional love. I never thought I could love an animal so much that I would put his well being ahead of mine or anyone else. And I know that he loved me and would protect me to the end if it came to that. Luckily, it didn't. He lived a very long and happy life. In the end, I feel that he told me it was time to let go, he was so tired and weak. But yet, he never complained, he just wanted to make me happy as long as possible. As his beautiful dog walker, Linda, would say, "he is a real trooper". I miss my Zeusie so much it hurts but I know in my heart it was the best gift I could give him.  
RIP my Baby Zeus. I love you with all my heart.  
Forever, your devoted Mom, Carol

Ziggie, you are my baby, my kiss bundle, my protector, my source of joy. To my parents you were a child, a companion, a love and a friend. We had a beautiful life thanks to you, thank you for letting us cherish your company. You lived a relatively long life! You have been a true lover of life, living a full spectrum of things: overdosing on sweets and cigarettes, peeing in Paris and moscow, wandering trough Crimea,walking in a cast, surviving ER, enjoying walks on the beach in Oxnard, munching on sushi and other delicious foods ( boy, you loved it spicy). Thank you for coming with us to playa del Carmen, even though you didn't like it. But you liked Sedona, right? Thank you for being such a trooper, protecting my parents from street robbers in Encino! Thank you for escaping from a mean coyote!!! Thank you for staying strong, vivacious and beautiful till the end! Thank you for giving me that last farewell look!!! And thank you for dying so peacefully by my mother's side. You were a true class act! We miss you and please say hello to our precious cat Archie, take care of him, he loved you very much. So long, Zigushechka. We look forward to meeting you on the other side. Greeting Anna, Olga , Rosti, Naj, Alex. Pease and love to you my beautiful baby.

Going to miss you terribly my little friend. Seems like only yesterday I brought you home. You were not feeling well and to have kept you any longer would have not been right. Run with those other "kids" up there until I get there and we'll cross The Bridge and be together forever. Love you my little man.

Sorry, it took us so long...But you were always on my mind. The disease AIDS finally took us away from us. We couldn't bear to see the suffering anymore, always hoping you would get better. One of your last cry at home pushed us to bring you to the vet for your final journey. We stood by you until your final breathe. I know you are up there with your girlfriend "Nigna" who also left us in 2010.

We rescued you from the street and you adopted us. Your were our second cat in the house. You fell in Love with her too. Then one morning you decided to add another cat to the house. You showed up one morning with you street buddy... then he became our third cat in the house. You were always gentle and peaceful. We all miss you. Too bad your life as a cat is so short compared to human beings. LOVE always from both of us. Say Hi to Nigna for us.

We aren't house proud. If we were, we wouldn't abide the scratches on the door frame, the holes in the screen, the darkened shine of worn spots on the chair.
We would wince at the mottled carpet and fret at the hair clinging to our clothes. We don't.
If anything, we lovers of dogs are a tolerant lot, finding greater value in the unabashed affection of our friends than in immaculate sofas.
Shoes can be replaced, but heroic retrievers are timeless.
Without dogs, our houses are cold receptacles for things.
Dogs make a fire warmer with their curled presence. They wake us, greet us, protect us, and ultimately carve a place in our hearts and our history. On relection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs.
By Paul Fersen

my precious zoe, i was not prepared for the depth of loss i feel
without you. i look for you constantly. i check to see if it is dinner time or meds time. you were so loving and sweet. you can never be replaced. things i learned from zoe
1. when offered a free meal, chow down
2. when offered a soft bed, snuggle up
3. when offered a hug, jump at it
4. when someone is mean, bite'em
5. when they are big and mean, run
6. forgive, forget, love and be loyal

Zoe came into our lives after she was abandoned at the daycare center we take our other husky Loki to. We brought her home for the weekend &all of us bonded instantly. Little Zoe had a liver shunt - she was on medicated food &had to take medication 2x a day. It was expensive but we didn't care. We wanted her to be as healthy as possible. When her health started to decline we knew she needed the $3,000 surgery immediately. In the last two weeks, wonderful people donated to our sweet Zoe.

On Sunday she was the happiest dog ever. Her &Loki got to go to the Salt Lake Tribune office &take photos. They had the best time every running around. They went to the dog park &daycare. Early Monday morning Zoe started pacing. When I got up to check on things she was still wagging her tail - happy despite not feeling well. A few hours later she collapsed &started having a seizure. Loki stood over her &cried. We rushed to the vet but she did not make it. Once we got to the vet they tried reviving her - no luck. We miss her so much, it feels like it gets worse every day. The only thing that helps us is to know that she touched SO many lives. Everyone who met her, instantly loved her. She would flop over on her back &wiggle around - waiting for you to give her rubs. She had so much personality. She will forever be missed.

The donations we received for Zoe will be given to another group to help animals.

She had barely turned 2year old.

RIP our sweet gingerhead baby Zoe, I can't wait to see you again. xo.

My baby Zoey passed last night. It is very hard and I don't know how to cope. I had her for 7 years, she had heart disease and did all we could for her. She was such a sweetheart, was so loving and brought joy to everyone she met. We nicknamed her Sweetface because she had the most precious face :] This is the first pet I've had to deal with losing and it is so very hard. I love her so very much, and she will never be forgotten. And her bestfriend (cagemate) is missing her dearly. She will always have a place in my heart. I love you forever ever and always Zoey. RIP baby I love you Sweetface :) Mommy can not wait to see you again in heaven!

I will love you forever Zoli. If love alone could have saved you, you would be alive today.  
Forever in my heart, the purest and most unconditional love that I have ever known.  
Your Mom,  
Samira

---

Zooey, 07/15/01 - 03/06/11

Zooey was adopted into my home at 5 years old. We drove home together, in a Taurus, from Salt Lake City to San Diego. I kept looking in the rear view mirror at her face, hoping she was comfortable and would like her new family. Given the bond we formed, I know in my heart she loved her new family and all her friends, including Munchie and Bones, the two cats that bossed her around. She gave me the gift of love. I shall forever be indebted.

You are our best friend our sweetheart You left a big paw print on our hearts the day you went to the Rainbow Bridge. We had you for such a short time, it wasn't fair. For those times we were together, they were the best, and so special. Thank you ZORRO for all the wonderful days you gave us. We love you Papa forever !