by Jennifer Cortinas
I will never forget going to pick out Zack, he was a Warlock Doberman. We had a choice beteween him or his sister Chancey. There was absolutely no contest... this little bundle of joy, who had the sweetest brown eyes and wagging stub was just perfect. I was six years old when we got Zack, I am 22 years old now. I feel like I grew up with him. I rememeber playing with him and chasing each other around the yard..(funny how you rememeber stuff like that). Zack was a gentle giant. People have this misconception that big dogs are mean, nothing could be further from the truth about Zack. If you were crying he would try to lick your tears away. He never bit anyone. I swear if a burglar had broken in he would have rolled over for a tummy rub. Several years after we had Zack I was walking home from a friends house and spotted this small wet dog, skinny as anything, and scared shivering in the rain. I called her and she came, unsure at first, but upon sensing that I was "acceptable" she followed me home. We named her Lady. After some good old fashioned TLC she became an outgoing and fun loving dog. Her and Zack were inseperable. Thinking back I remember how she ruled the roost with him... he let her have her way until he had enough. He was just so loving. Then a few years ago we noticed that Zack was yelping as if he was in pain. We had just moved so we took him to the local vet who informed us that he had advanced stomach cancer. Our other vet had misdiagnosed it as a urinary tract infection. The pain in our house was heavy, as were our hearts. We had been his pets for 11 years and now it seemed we would have to put him to sleep. We all went to the vet on that sad day, and cried and as he was put down. He was so brave and so..so... Zack. We mourned for months. But none so much as Lady. She was sick with grief. I felt her pain, she was no longer so outgoing. Just quiet and reserved...mourning for her buddy. Not too long after that she got loose from the yard. She was a sweet dog, but she was sheltered...knowing nothing of the dangers of the road. I wasn't home when she was hit by a truck. I don't think I could have taken that much loss in such a short amount of time. My uncle had already buried her and set a marker so I could mourn for my Lady. I know that she and Zack are together.... I hope to be with them someday soon. The only solace I have is knowing that he is no longer in any pain and she is no longer grieving for him. I love you guys... you were my friends and family. You will always remain a part of me until we meet again.
Love,
Jennifer