Saying goodbye to a loyal friend

It was a cold winter afternoon when we picked up our new found friend Zoe. With puppy breath and a sleek chocolate coat, Liz and I took her home with the expectations of an exciting December  morning. Our kids Ashton & Lewis received the puppy as a Christmas gift at their grandparents house. I am certain 14 years later, its the only present they remember getting that year.

One of our Appalachian Trail Journeys

Elizabeth, put Zoe into full training mode which the results showed up the rest of her life. Zoe walked with me on a few Appalachian Trail journeys. She followed Elizabeth and I up and down Oak Meadow lane as we attempted our health walks. Many times, we would walk on to the busier Ratledge Road, we would tell her to “Stay”, we would walk a mile or two, and when we returned, she would be sitting there just waiting for us.  She shadowed me and my horse on our rides around the farm. On good days and bad, she was there to greet us as we came home.

After the trail rest.

She was there at the prom pictures, birthdays and cold Christmas mornings. On my daughters wedding day, she greeted all the guest at our house. Lewis, our son, treated Zoe like his on. She wasn’t a guard dog, although now my heart needs guarding.

It is our time to say goodbye. Her health is poor and she is no longer eating. Her body is frail. On this cool Friday morning, Elizabeth and I made the decision she doesn’t need to suffer any longer.

Zoe was loyal. She watched our family grow. In some small way, she raised us. Today, I am functioning with a broken heart, but tomorrow, I will walk with memories that only a man and a dog can create.