Honoring Zorro

It has been a sad day at our house today.One of our three dogs passed away.Zorro was Jean's dog but over the three years she lived with us,she had become quite a wonderful friend.This is especially true for my dog named Harley.Harley is a Jack Russel Rat Terrier mix.Zorro was a Chow/German Shepherd and maybe a few other things mixed in.They were both renegades of sorts.Zorro had been terrorizing the older smaller dog she was living with and Harley was a terror period.He is sweet but just so danged hyper.Harley and Zorro were the perfect match.When Zorro moved in she quickly established her alpha dog reputation but often times let Harley think he was actually top dog.They played together all day and slept together at night.When Harley ran away for 5 days a couple of months ago,Zorro and I grieved together.When he came back,she let him have her bed while she slept on the floor.

When Jean called for the dogs to come in out of the heat for an afternoon nap (something they did everyday in the summer), neither dog came.Jean went out to the backyard where Zorro was lying on her side on the sidewalk.Harley was sitting with her so she would not be alone.

Harley shows signs of missing Zorro but he is also getting use to the 10 week puppy Jean got 2 weeks ago.Her name is Sandie and is a miniature dachshund.Jean wanted to get the puppy for a number of reasons but one thing she had told me was that she felt like Harley would need a playmate whenever we lost Zorro.Course we thought we had Zorro for a couple of years more.

I think it was best said by a breeder interviewed on NPR.When we become pet owners,we enter into a contract to have our hearts broken because we most likely will out live our pets.

I am so grateful Zorro was in our lives for 3 and a half years.I learned alot from her...her patience with Harley was amazing..she also had this way of sitting at your feet and looking up to you adoringly waiting to be petted with her tail wagging the whole time.Thanks Zorro.You are loved and will not be forgotten especially by a little Jack Rat named Harley.