I hated to say good-bye

Well... I am not sure even where to begin. Almost 14 yrs ago we brought home a not so little fur ball and named him Zeus, we knew he was going to be big, after all what choice would a dog that was 50% Black Lab and 50% Great Pyrenees have but too be large. And he was not only large he was larger than life. Zeus had the best disposition of any animal I have ever known or seen, he was a lover of both animal and human.
With our kids he was the greatest, he was a friend and a protector, he loved and watched over each one of them. I generally am the last one to go to sleep in the house, I think it is the dad in me, I don't know. There where many of nights when Zeus would get up look over to me and the wife to make sure we where alright and he would make his rounds. He would check on each kid and make a trip or two around the house to make sure all was right and in order and then he would return and lay down and take his place by my side.
For the past few months he has been down with degenerative arthritis of the hips and in the past month he has not been able to get up on his own and has relied on us to help him up so he could go out or get some food and we were happy to oblige since he has always been there for us.

Yesterday, my friend began to passing blood in his urine and this morning we had to put him to sleep as he was now in pain and not even able to woof. And you have to know Zeus to appreciate the bark because it was not just a bark or a yap, it was a WOOF, one that would bring fear in your heat just when he wanted to say hello.

The lady where I work offered to allow us to bury him on her farm since we could not afford to have him cremated. Thanks to our neighbor for going with me and helping me dig the hole and place Zeus in and gently cover him up. Zeus now rests under a beautiful Oak tree, in a pasture where I am sure if he were still alive he would have loved to run and play.

I hated to say good-bye, I hated it when my wife's dog Willy passed away in 2007 and once again I hated to say good-bye. I hate it for my kids who have all grown up with Zeus, so please pray with me for them that they are able to share their pain, share their feelings, their grief and their sense of loss, and pray that they will be able to share the love and memories that they have a of the greatest friend (wife not included) and dog I have ever had or known. Lastly pray that in this they would find peace and comfort from their family and friends and that we would all enjoy and cherish our treasured memories of Zeus who was more than "just a dog" he was one of a kind and a member of the family who we will all miss greatly.

Coming home will never be the same again, Zeus we love you and we will always miss you!