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Saturday, May 10, 2008

In Memory of....

We lost a family member today, a best friend, our Zackie Boy. Zack was diagnosed with Mast Cell Cancer, stage 3 (out of 3 stages) in February. This morning we made the decision to allow him to go with dignity and love. It was extremely hard....but the right thing to do.
Zack was an incredible dog. He weighed 140 pounds in his prime and he did not have a mean bone in his body. He did not realize how big he was, he was sure he was the ultimate lap dog...and he was. He was my shadow, followed me everywhere and was never happier than when he was by our sides. He was a wonderful guard dog. He ferocious sounding bark greeted every visitor. Little did they know that he would kill them with slobber and kisses. Slobber was his speciality....I think he could hold a gallon of water in his jowls. You did not want to be near him after he drank water.
He was a very generous and loving dog to other animals also. He welcomed all newcomers with enthusiasm. He would share his food, water....
...and his bed. He was never jealous of our new four legged additions, even Baron, our obnoxious puppy was welcomed into our home last year. Up until his last hour, he tolerated Baron's pestering with kindness and tolerance.
Zack never showed us how much he was suffering. Last night we noticed a huge tumor in his abdominal area that extended up to his front legs. He must have been suffering tremendously...we never knew. This morning he greeted me with a smile on his face, a bone in his mouth and his tail wagging. He left us a few hours later....he looked at me with love as if to thank me for helping him....He was an incredible dog and will be missed greatly.....


Goodbye my sweet boy....I will see you Over the Rainbow Bridge....

31 comments:

Kim said...

Oh, Alison,

I am so sorry. I ache for you and tears pool in my eyes. I know you will miss your Zach every day - a testament to what a wonderful friend he was.

Mamarazzi said...

i am so sorry for your loss. he sounds like an amazing dog.

Grand Life said...

I'm so sorry about your dog. I know you will miss him.
Judy

Jan said...

I'm so sorry. It's the hardest thing to make that decision, even when you know you must. Bless you.

Just Courtney said...

I am so sorry for your loss. He seemed like a wonderful dog, and I know he will be greatly missed.
((((Alison & Family))))

Unknown said...

Oh I am so sorry! What a wonderful friend and companion!
I am so sorry for your loss!

suchsimplepleasures said...

i'm so so sorry to hear about your loss!!! it's so yucky to lose a family pet...a family member!!
sending big hugs to you and the rest of your family!
xoxoxoxo

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Alison, I am so very sorry :(

Run free at the Bridge Zach.

Tera said...

Alison,

I am so sorry. I am sure Zach was very happy with your decision to let him go peacefully and without further pain. May you always remember his wonderful antics and that special love. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

Zach, Rest in Peace.

Tera said...

Alison,

I am so sorry. I am sure Zach was very happy with your decision to let him go peacefully and without further pain. May you always remember his wonderful antics and that special love. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

Zach, Rest in Peace.

ChrisB said...

Oh Alison, I am very sad for all of you. It is heartbreaking to loose a much loved pet and wonderful member of the family like Zach. I am thinking of you x

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I'm so sorry about your dog. They truly become our family don't they.

**hugs!*

Have a great Mother's Day!

Becky said...

So sorry for this loss. They become so special I know.
Happy Mother's Day.

Irene Latham said...

So sorry to hear about Zack. It is never easy to say goodbye to those critters we love. Thanks for sharing the pics. Thinking of you on Mother's Day! xxoo

Heather said...

Alison,

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Zack sounds like he was an amazing dog. Your pictures really showed how sweet he was. The ones of him with the kitten were especially sweet.

-Ann said...

Sorry to hear about Zack. Giant dogs who have no idea of their size are the best. I hope Zack is somewhere romping with Kodiak. They sound a lot a like!

Sherryl said...

Hi Cuz!
I am so very sorry about Zack! He was an awesome, loveable dog! I will miss seeing him in August when I'm there. Love you ....
Sherryl

Anonymous said...

Oh Alison...

It is so hard to lose a pet. They become such a part of our families and part of our hearts. He was beautiful. I love the pictures of him with the kitten.

I wish a blessed Mother's Day for you... in the midst of your loss.

storyteller said...

My heart goes out to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Zackie Boy. Someone once said that the only fault of dogs is that they don’t live long enough. I’m saddened along with you that Zack’s life was cut short by cancer, but I’m sure he’s grateful for the release.
Hugs and blessings,

tiki_lady said...

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss! These dogs are so giving and great. I am glad you were able to do what was best for Zach! Hugs to the kiddos.

Celeste said...

I'm so sorry. I am always amazed at how much love our four legged companions give without asking much in return.

karisma said...

Im so sorry for your sadness, but very proud of your decision to not let him suffer! My mum had to do that this week too and its not easy! Hugs to you all xxx

May his spirit be free and happy!

IamwhoIam said...

Sorry for you lose, but his love will remain as long as you remember.

Anonymous said...

Awww. I'm so sorry. I've been through this with my cats and I don't wish it on anyone. Sounds like he had a great life and that you did what you should for him

{{{{{{{big hugs}}}}}}}}}

Sayre said...

I"m so sorry to hear about Zachie Boy. I had a big black lab named Beryl who sounds like our version of your Zachie (especially the lovey, drooly thing). And she thanked me when I put her down. They know. And they know when you love them. We lost her a little over two years ago and we still miss her everyday. Hugs to you my friend. I know that was very hard.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain. Zack is now with our Junior...Over the Rainbow Bridge playing with Elmo.
The next time your at my place, read about Junior. He's on my left side bar..."Goodnight Friend."
That last photo says it all. They are BOTH smiling.
I'm sorry.

Jeni said...

Those who scoff at the rest of us who talk about losing pets as losing a member of our family must never have had a pet that they fully cared about. It is a family member, for sure, and it does hurt to part with them -very, very much so. The dog -sweet little black mutt -I had while in high school -has been gone for almost 45 years (it will be that next month) and I miss him as much today as I did when he left. I'm so sorry for your loss of your beloved dog but I do like the thought of the "rainbow bridge" and meeting these once so important members of our families again.

Pamela said...

oh so hard to do... I'm so teary eyed thinking of the decision you had to endure.

Someone very wise told me that dogs don't understand death. They do, however, understand pain.

It is our duty to care for them - even to the end.

God bless you as you grieve this week.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I have tears in my eyes for you and your family- I know how much those furry little "people" mean to us!!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP, Zack!

Anonymous said...

i'm sry to hear ur loss. zack, the huge cuddle bug...u will be missed. RIP