Saturday, February 3, 2018

Lessons from a Dog

I'm writing about Lessons from a Dog. Not just any ordinary dog! My dog Zion. On Wednesday January 17 at 9:30 a.m. i walked numbly into the animal hospital with my best friend and companion that had been with me through so much life. Fourteen years of it. I am a totally different woman today and Zion was there for the entire journey.

This was no ordinary dog. Her namesake came from a "soul searching" trip at 40 years old when i had to get away from my life and start figuring out what was wrong with me and why was i not happy? It was on that trip that i returned home with Zion, all 4 inches of her. She was the runt.
We went to Zion's Canyon in May 2017. I knew it would probably be the last time i would take her there.
At 40 I had everything life seemed to offer, wonderful children, good-looking husband, successful business, beautiful home, nice cars, and lots of friends. I took my kids to church every Sunday and i had an abundance of family around me. So why was i not happy? I started this blog a few years after getting Zion which chronicles my life lessons and the events that took place to get authentic with myself. Zion was my one constant sidekick. She brought me joy. She comforted me. She made me laugh and she played, boy did she know how to play, that girl could play soccer like nobody's business!


In time everything changes. I knew it was time to let Zion go, frankly i had held on to her too long. It had been such a hard decision to make. She hadn't been in any pain, but at 14, stone cold blind, disoriented most of the time and me dragging her everywhere i went, well, i guess, she was tiring of life. The last few days she was barking (which she rarely did). and then putting a soccer ball in front of her and her ignoring it, that was my cue, she was ready to go home...and oh how i wanted to keep her!

It's interesting to think about all the things that a dog teaches you... as for me, here are the wonderful things that Zion, this beautiful creature taught me:



1.  Accept life as it IS.

2. Play hard. (Maybe you should get yourself a pink ball?)

3. Trust your instincts. I can guarantee you they're probably right.

4. Cuddle at night with someone you trust. It will make your life longer, and the life that you live more satisfying.
I will miss this. We did this every night. What a blessing she was!

5. Talk and sing to your Dog. They listen.

6. Don't worry about what other people think and about what you look like. Zion was skinny and a short-hair. She had numerous coats, winters were hard on her. This last winter, i bought her a pantsuit. When i walked into work with her in that pantsuit, TJ said, "is that dog wearing pants? followed up with a comment to my assistant, "would you put your dog in some shit like that?!" We've laughed about that numerous times!
This was the last coat i bought her just before Christmas for our trip to Arizona. I knew her time was drawing near. I did not know how close. I will cherish that time with her forever!
7. Be vulnerable. Dare to be dependent. Zion depended on me to care for her and in turn she served me more than i served her. It formed Trust. Not neediness. Trust. We humans could learn something from this.

8. Choose to be happy. When you think about it, and process through life's experiences you have 2 choices. You can choose to accept things as they are and be happy, or fight against what is, and be miserable. Zion was always happy, and she had a pretty pampered life, but i was the lucky one to have her!

9. Love unconditionally. No matter how many mistakes i made, Zion was the one constant in my life for 14 years, who loved me unconditionally. She was there, without question, every time. No matter what. Unconditionally.

10. Get another Dog! There will NEVER be another ZION. No not ever. And my heart has room to love another. This little white ball of fur is my angel. I named her Daisy. Daisies make me happy, they are my favorite flower.
Daisy is adjusting quite nicely to her new office home.

This post is dedicated to all those dog lovers who have loved one and lost one. Life goes on. They will never be forgotten, for they marked their spot in more ways than one!

Zion was loved by many. My heart still aches for the bond i had with her. R.I.P. baby girl.

This picture was taken by my Mom when she would watch her and obviously spoil her!



7 comments:

  1. I'm so saddened to hear about Zion. She was such a fun-loving girl. I enjoyed watching her with her ball and Kaycee playing with her. I also know how difficult it is to let our loved fur-balls go. I recently lost my Louie. I received a phone call from my daughter (who lives at my home) and raced home to see my little Louie having a seizure with his little body limp and his head bobbing and his eyes circling. I raced to the emergency hospital and discovered what they believed to be a brain tumor and nothing could be done. It is one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make. I still miss him every day. He had the most beautiful eyes, and gorgeous soft hair and his personality was one of a kind. We can never replace our loved ones only find another to share our love and joy with. My love to you for your loss, Lori. I'm so sorry.

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  2. It's good to see you write again, even if under these circumstances. You always inspire me. You have a voice that needs to be heard. Keep writing girl!

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  3. My precious daughter, I shed a few tears as I read your blog about my darling little granddoggie Zion. She was a lucky little dog to have so many people love her, especially you. She certainly was by your side, through thick and thin, all of the 14 years that you had her. I know how you loved her and how hard it was for you to let her go.
    These experiences teach us that no matter how much we love something, sometimes we have to let them go and live without them. The wonderful thing is, we always have those precious memories of them to look back on and enjoy.
    You're at a different stage in your life now and Daisy will be your faithful little companion. Life is full of so many different experiences, make the best of them.
    Love you so much.

    .

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  4. Lor, sorry for your loss. I have many good memories with you & Zion. She was the easiest, well mannered, fun dog ever. You were the one who taught me to be vulnerable that was damn hard and then eventually accept what is and be happy. But thanks for the good times and the lessons and the drinks and the laughter. Zion was part of all it and I'm sur you miss her. Time will help heal your heart.

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