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The shelter Zeus spent most of his life in was closing right before the COVID lockdown in March of 2020. We took him in and tried our hardest to make up for all the love and family he had missed out on. He had such a hard life, but he was the most sweet and gentle soul.
His pet bio described him as an inside boy who would go outside to do his business but wanted to come right back in, and as being so laid back he would get picked on by the other dogs. The day he came to our home he carried a donkey light up chew tow in his mouth. He was so fucking adorable.
He took to the comforts of his new home very quickly and we were bonded almost right away. When lockdown went in place we snuggled on the sofa watched Tiger King on Netflix. He loved to go to the park and ride around the city. When I got pregnant, and we installed a car seat, he couldn’t really seem to get comfortable in the back seat anymore, so he started riding shot gun instead.
While I was pregnant he would snuggle up to my belly like he knew the baby was coming soon. I was honestly a little worried about how an older shelter dog would react to having a baby around, but once she was born he was always such a patient and gentle big brother. Even when she would take his toys to claim as her own, he didn’t seem to mind sharing, not even his donkey.
Last year, tumors started popping up all over Zeus. Even when we would get one removed, it seemed like 3 would pop up in its place. About month ago, Zeus would hardly touch most food we gave him. Last week, he seemed to stop eating completely, and I had to start feeding him baby food and yogurt with a syringe.
We knew the end was coming soon, so I spoke to my vet and decided I would do my best to keep him comfortable and arrange for euthanasia at home. On the vet’s advice, I read rainbow bridge to his sissy to try and help explain what was happening.
I tried to make his last days full of happy memories, and when he couldn’t walk to the grass at the park, I carried him. He still wouldn’t eat much on his own, but did take a few table scraps and seemed to enjoy just being out doors and with his family.
Last night we read our bedtime stories together and his sissy gave him a big hug goodnight. He seemed to be savoring it. I had been planning to schedule everything for as early this week as we could, but didn’t realize that would be the last time they saw each other.
When I woke up this morning, I thought he was just sleeping at the foot of my bed like always, but he was gone. It must have been within an hour or so of when I actually woke up, and I’ve never been more angry with myself for hitting snooze on my alarm. I wish so badly I had been holding him when it happened.
Rest in peace my Zeusy. We already miss you so much it hurts. You were the best boy and the best big brother we could have ever asked for. 💔
My condolences.
You gave him a world of love to live in.
Thank you for being his best friend. It makes me really happy to know that he had a good family to care for him. He was a very good boy.
I am so so painfully sorry for your loss of a clearly wonderful pupper.
You did something incredibly beautiful by giving Zeus the love and the forever home he always deserved. From what you’ve shared, you did everything right.
Please keep this in your heart: Zeus passed at the foot of your bed and while you wish you were holding him, to him, he was in his comfort place and WAS with you. To dogs, who can hear and smell a lot better than us, and gain so much just by being in proximity of those they love, he no doubt felt your calming presence the entire time; your heartbeat, your smell, your breath.
To him, he passed peacefully exactly where he wanted to be. With you.
I’m sure Zeus is happy and grateful for his last six years with you. May your mourning go by fast, so you can go to that slightly melancholy place where his memory brings a smile with only a tinge of sadness.
My dog is twelve. She’s a big dog, and they don’t usually make it this long.
Every day is a gift.
They’re too good for this world, and they should all live longer than us. But, well, that’s not how it is.
This song makes me feel better when I think about what’s coming. I hope it makes you feel better, too. A bit dark, perhaps… But that’s life. There’s nothing we can do sometimes but kiss them goodbye.
We’re all on the same road. The good ones just tend to get there first.
What a beautiful, wonderful dog. I’m glad he got to spend his final years with you, and I’m so sorry for your loss. I can tell you loved him very much, and that he matched that love right back.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave him a beautiful life and I’m sure he loved every moment with you. He never thought for a moment about the sadness you feel now only of the happiness you gave him everyday. He left doing what he loved most, being close to you.
I miss my puppers and now I miss Zeus. Damn, it’s hard to let them go.
💜💜 Thank you for sharing Zeus’s beautiful story… My heart hurts for you, knowing the loss you feel. Zeus was so blessed to have someone who loved him as your family did.
Aw man. Thank you for sharing this. I’m sobbing from missing my own sweet dog as well. There’s nothing wrong with being sad you can’t be with them anymore.
Don’t be angry with yourself, he would have wanted you to get your sleep. Death happens, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish you all the best!
That was a beautiful eulogy for a wonderful creature. He has found peace, I hope you do too.
He seems like he was a really special little dude. RIP and my condolences, losing a friend is never easy
Such a good boy. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s not fair that they’re with us for such a short time.
My sincerest condolences. There is nothing like the love of a dog.
