A true friend to the end

Sydney

Bless her little soul. She made the decision so I didn't have to.

She died peacefully at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic, under the best of care. Just went to sleep so quietly that, in the five minutes that a doctor was not attending to her, nobody noticed anything unusual.

My little girl.

Sydney "Miss Mess" Zerbisias came into my life August 9, 1996, after I found her on the then-Ohio-based American Eskimo Dog rescue site, Heart Bandits. Now there are branches all over North America.

My fifth Eskie, she represented  the best of the breed -- beautiful, alert, intelligent, loyal, affectionate, eager to please -- and was my little co-pilot, companion, white shadow and fur angel.

I just returned from the vet's where, along with her walker Darlene Reid, we had a visit with her and many good snarfs into tissues. She looked peaceful. I know that wherever she is, there are lots of Marrobones and little kids in strollers dropping Cheerios and Goldfish crackers for her to clean up.

Thanks again for all your sympathy.

Amazing how we love our poopers.

P.S. If you want a dog, please adopt an adult who needs a home. They'll love you to pieces for it, and you'll know its temperament upfront. My next baby will be coming from here.

Comments

[sooey]

that's a beautiful photo of sydney, by the way, ms zerb. and if they could read, older dogs and cats in need of adoption would appreciate the message at the end of your touching tribute, i'm sure.

[Iain]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Just looked at Sparky, he seems perfect. I hope it works out.

[jiminy C at the other daughters]

And JUST in case you have second thoughts about an adult adoption in general and Sparky in particular - I know where there's a litter of 15 chocolate Lab puppies for the picking......

[Bruce]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Allan Sorensen]

for every condolence posted above, there are a hundred who found your loss unbearably heartbreaking, and stayed silent)

[Antonia Z.]

Looks lioke Sparky found a home already. Not mine.

[Scotian]

Antonia Zerbisias:

You have my sorrow and my condolences. I come from a family that has been in the dog showing/breeding world for around thirty years now. I have had to put down a few dogs over those years, one of whom was my 16 birthday present. It always hurt to do so, but watching them suffering and knowing it would only get worse made it something I could deal with. However, the last time I had to do so was a couple of years ago and it was the hardest thing I have ever done as this was the one dog with which I had that much talked about deep bond with that one rarely actually gets to experience. She was and still is one of the most important companions I have ever had, one that loved me and kept me sane through a very traumatic period of my life and having to decide to put her down was the most painful decision ever, and to this day I feel the pangs of it.

I write this so as to indicate that I can truly appreciate the emotional turmoil this decision must have caused you as well as to understand how relieved you must have felt to have the decision taken out of your hands. I hope that the wound that this passing has left you with passes swiftly and heals cleanly and allows you to be able to take pleasure in any/all animals/pets you have from this time on.

Take care and be well.

[Lisa]

My heart goes out to you. We lost our beloved Border Collie LeeRoy to cancer this past May and we're still too stung by the loss to get another "pal" for our Beagle, Sammy just yet. We called LeeRoy our "boy" and he was family. I truly can feel your pain.

[sooey]

lisa? i have a sheltie/beagle cross and today i was in the wine rack buying staples and the guy behind the counter asked to give him a treat. well, gawd. i had to practically point to it on the floor. poor old guy. he seems young the way he's still completely untrained, so people are often surprised by his age. when we first got him people in the neighbourhood would say, "you really should train that dog - he's a good dog - very intelligent". but my ex did a test on his behalf and it turns out he's not, so... we never did train him.