I will be making a decision tomorrow but it may be getting very near Zekie's time to leave us. Today I came home early as I had a memorial service to attend to. I came home and got Zekie up and he was having a hard time walking. He went P and then went to have a BM and fell down. I had to use a towel to help him get up and walk back in. He was very winded when he got back in the house.

I am going to stay home tomorrow and see if this is just a "bad" day or if he is like this again. He is still smiling, and happy to eat, but his ole bones may just have had it. If he has another day tomorrow like today, I'll make an appt. for Saturday.

He had a pain pill this afternoon and I'll give him one so he sleeps well tonight.

March 21, 2003

I slept with him most of the night on his doggie bed in the dining room. My back was in dire straights so I went to bed about 3. He was sound asleep so i didn't think he'd mind.

this morning we couldn't get him up to go out, but he ate well and had a bit of water. Greg and I worked with him and a towel around his chest to lift him and walk him out. He was able to pee and wanted to walk a little (with help from towel). then he layed down. Took three tries to get him back to porch. I think his breathing is a bit labored after so much work. We will try one more time for the last 15 steps into the house and on his bed before Greg leaves for work.

I'll be with him all day loving on him. I believe that I'll be making the appointment for tomorrow.

Just after sundown Michelle came over to love on Zekie for awhile. We took the opportunity to take him outside to do some duty which he took 3 p's but no poop!

Anyway we had to lay down for a bit as this is real work. I went and got some treats and I was able to catch this wonderful shot of someone who knows they are getting treats! SMILE

It really hurts to see him happy but know that his body has given out.

I got up and we (Greg and I) got him outside to visit the morning air and see what business we could handle. Still no poop!

Was able to get this shot of MY FOUR AMIGOS. These are the three that have lived 13 months with Zekie and they were a true pack from day one.

An appointment was made for Saturday afternoon. Three aunties would come over at 1 to love on him and help me take him for his final visit to the vets. Zekie was still smiling and chomping on his Charlee Bears on the way down. Since he couldn't stand, we layed out a comforter and placed him on it, and each of us took a corner and carried him to the van. Greg stayed home, as he just couldn't bear going. He said the hardest part, was watching us leave with him on that comforter pallet, and all he saw was his tail hanging down wagging, as if he was the king being carried by his women.

Zekie left this world at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2003. Amongst his mom, and three aunties, knowing he was loved.

I did tell him to run for the light and not to look back. I told him also that I would try hard not to grieve too long so that his spirit wouldn't be pulled back to me instead of moving on. I did have him wear his party bandanna so he'd be ready for the great reception at the bridge and also sent him off with his favorite woobie, Mr. Rabbit. He left very peacefully.

The gift I had of him will last me a lifetime, but he touched not only my heart, Greg's heart, but anyone who read of him, or met him. He truly was sent to us (and I do mean everyone) to teach us some lessons. I hope that this story has been touching to you, and also has given you some gift.

*Don't ever feel sorry for yourself, there are others out there with much worse to bear.

*Be an inspiration to others, share your smile.

*Be a gentleman or a lady with everyone you meet.

*Share nothing less than unconditional love for your friends.

*Enjoy live each and every day, because you never know what tomorrow brings.

*Life is not always fair

*Smile at whatever life throws to you

*Find love and embrace it

*Have courage and strength for all challenges

*Make each day a good one

*Be the life of the party

*Appreciate the simple things in life that mean so much

A Haiku for Zekie

Walking your last steps
Like a king, run for the light!
All your woobies wait

We may not grieve so
Gently as you passed, but we
Will shine golden light

To show you the way
As you did us, for thirteen
Months and fourteen days

Suzanne Bria

---

A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign him to a place of honor,
for he has been a faithful servant
and has always done his best to please me.

Bless the hands that send him to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing him from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of his life
with the love he has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor him
by sharing those memories with others.

Let him remember me as well
and let him know that I will always love him.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow him to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of his companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give him to you now.

Amen..
- © Brandy Duckworth, 1998

---

While each of us will at some point in our life have to deal with the loss of a sweet friend, rejoice in their life, cherish the memories, and don't ever give up and think you couldn't love another. Because I work in rescue, I know there are so many out there that need a home, a family to love, and a good healthy environment. We think we did right by Zekie, and he went to the bridge knowing that. He touched me... and for that I'll always continue to have the rescues in my life, giving them what I can, which is all they ask for.

We are put here much longer than they are, seniors and special needs dogs need the time, the loving and caring just as any other animal would. Please consider it... after all you may find a doggie like Zekie that touches you and brings you more than you ever give.

It has been hard to put this website together, but it was a labor of love. I release this website 1 day before his 1st bridge anniversary. My gift back to you.

I love you Zekie, always will sweetie, you were a true inspiration. Til we meet at the bridge Zekie, you show all the bridge kids where all the woobies are and where the Charlee Bear treats are!

 

	This is early morning, he sees a cookie, so this lick is with anticipation!		In the early morning sunshine, we wanted to take full advantage of every minute we could for the day.
	I left him for a minute, so I call this Welcome Back Mom, I surely missed you!		He is roo-rooing at me, we call this a JOYOUS NOISE.
	Getting some ice cream, what a wonderful way to start the day.		And this is that awesome ice cream smile... Thanks mom!
Click to hear a .wav file	Click to hear Zekie's single bark.	Click to hear a .wav file	Click here to hear Mr. Zekie barking

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