Big Loss

As a pet owner, you sometimes think how long your pet will live. Just like in the movie Marley & Me, Marley went from a wild pup to a mature old lab then started having health problems and you knew the movie would not end on a happy note.

Brent's sweet English Mastiff has always had hip dysplasia but it never really bothered him until this past year.

We don't have a back yard because of the pool so we kept Zeus locked up in the kitchen to keep him from crushing Beck. Last summer, on many mornings we would find poop in the kitchen because it was getting difficult for him to hold it all night. So, we took him to East Texas so he could be free to poop where ever he wanted at Wes and Kath's big yard.

Zeus loved being free in the country but took a turn for the worse and had difficulty getting up and down. He pooped and urinated where ever he laid because it was too painful to get up.

Shortly after Christmas, Zeus developed a tumor on his eye and the vet said he needed surgery but did not recommend it because of the shape he was in. We had to make the very difficult decision to put him to rest so that he would no longer be in pain.

Zeus was put to sleep on Saturday morning, February 27th at 8:00am at Wes and Kath's house. Dean Haws was kind enough to dig an 8 x 5 x 5 hole with his back hoe. Unfortunately, the dirt got wet which made it hard for Brent, Wes and Kath to shovel into the hole. Beck wanted to help too so Kath gave him a tiny shovel to use (actually, it was the pooper scooper). But that got old quick so he was back to running around all over the place while I chased him.

Zeus was 12 years old and was with Brent through the best of times and through the worst of times. He was there to see Brent start law school then saw Brent go through a very sad time because of losing his Uncle David. Zeus finally got to meet Brent's sweet wife and shared lots of cuddle time together. Finally, Zeus got to meet Brent's first born child, Beck. Beck was never afraid of Zeus even though he weighed over 175 pounds. Zeus was always very sweet and gentle when he was around Beck and anybody else for that matter. The only time I saw a glimpse of anger was when Brent tried to take a bone away from him.

Zeus, we will miss you terribly but we will always remember you and treasure all of the memories!!!