Zeus fair well
So this story begins with a dog that chose their right owner. I lost my first dog in 2010 and told myself it would be awhile before I was to get another pet as losing Freckles was a hard time for me. So I decided about two years after his death to use my free time and help walk dogs at the Longmont Humane Society since they have dogs that still need love and I wanted to be around dogs again and wanted to help a dog that is in need of comfort as I needed it as well. One day while walking the first dog out for the day we walked through the building as we always did and we past an area with a glass window wall and there was a pin of black lab puppies behind the glass window across the isle and as I walked by they were asleep, except for one dog woke up and walked to the glass with a giant cute face and tail wagging and pawing the glass. I mentioned oh boy are you too cute and proceeded on my way out with the dog for our walk. And when we walked back through from our walk the same little guy got up from the sleepy pile of puppies and came to the glass looks at me wagging his tail and pawed at the glass again! So I took the next dog out for a walk and when we walked back by the window the same little guy got up again and pawed at the glass as I walked by. After the third dog I took out this cute puppy kept doing this each time I passed and even barked a few times to make sure I was paying attention to him. I asked the facility what the deal with the puppy’s were and was told they will be going up for adoption. I asked if I could see one guy in particular and it was an instant bond and love when we were introduced. From there I would start an amazing adventure and journey with an amazing loving caring lab and was given the most amazing opportunity to build the most unimaginable bond and companionship between my buddy, my best friend and upmost my family member and fur baby Zeus. I learned a lot from this companion and he taught me that his strength and unconditional love for me and my family and friends was next to nothing you can compare and could never be broken or compared. With Zeus he was such a huge part of my life and he was always excited to see me arrive home if not with me. He always knew if I was having a bad day he knew a dog’s love would make it better with a giant lick and a hug. He always wanted to help carry a bag or whatever he could help with and always wanted to be with me and be included in doing whatever I did even if it was just sitting outside relaxing or hanging out and I made sure he was never left out unless dogs were not allowed. He taught me what it truly means to share your pillow which translates in lab to your pillow is now my pillow and bed space hahah! I learned that labs have exceptional ability to understand and feel your emotions as well as tell time for knowing when it’s time to get up and time to eat and they have appetites of a hobbit family. I also learned as well if you share a piece of fruit or vegetable (dog safe) they are forever entitled to a fair share going forward and you better offer that portion or forever be judged until the next opportunity! When working in the shop or just hanging out he would be right there looking over you asking what you are doing and if you knew what you’re doing and reassuring you that you are doing a great job and you are taking the right part off and you almost go it, or would be passed out sleeping. He loved truck rides head out the window taking in all the sights and smells each trip and walking trails and open spaces smelling all the new smells! We had great adventures together from dressing up each year for Halloween, which was his favorite holiday as all of his friends would come to the house and he would hand out treats. To camping and hunting every year which was always an amazing adventure! We went through TPLO (knee) surgery in Aug 2019 without an issue and recovered great. With the 2020 work from home pandemic Zeus and I would go for walks on lunch and noticed he would try to pee towards the end of the walk and nothing would happen and took him in to get checked out. The vets looked him over and with a ultrasound and cell sample, Zeus was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May 2020 and was given a short life expectancy with this type of cancer which was devastating news, but knew we would stand by his side and support him love him and fight the hard fight with him to the end. We tried to fight the cancer with chemotherapy to no avail as the cancer grew with the first treatments administered and was told we had 1-2 months of life expectancy in August and he fought all the way up to January because he did not want to go or leave me behind. So from there we made it our goal in August to spend all our time with Zeus and cherish the remaining time with him and spend each day doing the things he loves which included lots of puppy cookies, going on multiple truck rides a day with puppy lattes to cap the ride off. To getting his own order of French fries to enjoy on the ride as well. We set goals to help us get him to certain days and his favorite holiday was Halloween, and really wanted him to have one more Halloween before he passed and we were blessed and given that day even though all the friends were not allowed out with covid. From there each day was another day we didnt take for granted and with each goal achieved and a new one set we were grateful and thankful to have the extended time with him and for him to have another thanksgiving which was a gizzard extravaganza and another Christmas with presents we truly were blessed! The remaining days of his life he was eating rib eye steaks, bacon and sausage eggs! He was so strong to fight as long as he did and lived 4 months longer than the doctors anticipated and I’m so proud of him and honored to be his master!! I’m so thankful he’s no longer in pain and can be a normal dog again and do the things he loves so much. We have so many amazing memories and stories from the life and adventures we had with Zeus that he will be greatly missed but never forget! Until we meet again, thank you for all the laughs, love and life you gave me and our family. Look forward to seeing my buddy again!!