For Zelda, Our Absent Furry Friend

When I married Linda in 2022, I gained more than a loving wife and life partner. I also gained a charming little twelve pound, then five year old Morkie dog with the Jazz Age name of Zelda Fitzgerald.

 

I had never owned a dog before, so I wasn’t sure how this was going to work out, but it wasn’t long before I understood what all the dog owners I have ever known meant when they said there is nothing quite like unconditional love and affection a dog brings into your life.  It wasn’t long before Zelda and I became best buds, as you can see from the various photos that accompany this post.  

Loved when Linda would drop her leash from across the street and tell Zelda to “Go get him!” and she would run across the street and jump all over me.  

Loved it when she would cuddle up to me on the couch when I was watching TV. or reading a book.

Sometimes, she would even read with me!

Loved it when she became The Grandstander's Executive Assistant.

Loved how she would always let you know when it was time for a walk,  

Loved how she somehow just knew when I was having a bad day and would snuggle up to me. I even came to love her sleeping at the foot of our bed and then somehow worm her way up between us during the night.  Well, I didn’t always  love that part, but then she would lick your hand or arm, and one look at her face, and, well, how could you possibly be upset with her?

I even loved it when she spent too much time talking on the phone.....

Over the past several months, Zelda has encountered a number of health issues.  No need to detail them here, but they have changed her wonderful personality, and she has been suffering.  Linda and I made the agonizing, and that is not an exaggeration, decision that our dog needed to be put down.   This came after many consultations with vets and others who have owned dogs (including Linda, who has gone through this process at least three times in her life) and had to make similar decisions.  We knew that we were doing what was best for HER, Zelda, but that didn’t make things any easier.  The ten days spent between the time we decided this until her very peaceful euthanization on Friday, April 25 were simply terrible for us, but I can assure you that we loved her right to the very end, and that we always will.

When I first came into Linda’s life, I used to tease her mother and her about how they treated Zelda.  “She’s just a dog” I would say, but I have learned over these last three years that beloved pets are a whole lot more than that,  

Especially, Zelda.

Rest easy, oh loving and faithful companion.

Christmas, 2022

I posted this on Facebook at the time with the caption

"We Are Family"