For my dog, he appointed himself the door greeter and police dog of the house. Whenever we came home, or even when I just stepped outside for a moment, Zyne would delight himself and our children by being at the door the moment the handle turned. He would also find a gift, usually the closest object to the door and put it his mouth -- most often, it was one of my child’s most beloved toy, which would then be covered in slobber. The kids found it most funny, when he would carry about their baby dolls! I have to admit, I am sure my neighbors thought it was quite a sight, when they could see a giant rottweiler whining at our door, with a life-size baby in his mouth! Zyne, by nature, was a working dog. He appointed himself the official police dog of the house. No animal - either cat or dog, could do anything without Zyne’s permission. And if a cat dared to jump on our kitchen counter; he was there. With one look, that cat would take off running! We humans often forget how important our jobs are to those around us - or we are unaware of the impact, until it is too late.

Lesson #4: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

When sick, injured or just over-whelmed, seek out someone you can lean on. I always viewed my dog as my support system. It’s great to know you can tell someone (or some animal) how you feel, without being judged. But when he needed us, near the end of his life, he came to me. He let me know his time was ending, and he wanted help. Never, be afraid to ask for help. Ask, and you shall receive.

Lesson #5: You Make Someone Happy
On those days when everything that could go wrong has happened - there is something magical about knowing that your presence still makes someone so excited, happy, and loved. When you give love, you get back what you give.

Lesson #6: You Make an Impact

No matter what you do (or don’t do), it has an impact. Through love, devotion and honor - your life - even if it is short-lived, will forever impact those around you. Even after you pass away, people will remember you. It makes me swell with pride, and tears, to hear my daughters speak about Zyne. My oldest daughter even named one of her toy dogs after our Zyne. Even though, he often would sneak snacks away from her as soon as she looked away, he is obviosly left an impact on her. Despite his large appearance, and scary bark at all the neighborhood kids, they nicknamed him Goliath and T-Rex. They even still talk about him. Obviously, he has left an impact on me. It was I who learned so much from him about life and death. It was I who held him in my arms, as he left this world, and it was I who wanted to share with you all he has taught me, and his impact on our life. Thank you, Zyne, for being teaching me. Thank you for loving us all the time, and for loving my children. You will not be forgotten.

He was born on Christmas, in a litter of 12 - his poor mother! My husband, then boyfriend, Shawn, had just moved in together, and wanted to start our “family’ with a male rottweiler to pair with my female rottweiler. For our anniversary, we excitingly drove to pick up our new puppy. We named him Zyne, and if you have read or seen “Marley and Me,” our dog was like Marley - but worse. He loved life, lived it to the fullest, and that often meant eating everything in sight.

We have so many fond memories of him, but some of the strangest were when he would creep into the kitchen at night and steal food. I would awake to find him sleeping with his stash under his chin. Sometimes it was a loaf of bread, a can of peas, or a bag of chips. When our oldest child was born, we were naturally concerned how a 50 pound dog would fit into out life. When we brought Juliene home from the hospital, Zyne came right over, gave her an approving smell and walked away. But from that moment on, he changed. Once the dog who loved everyone, he became weary of strangers, and didn’t like anyone he didn’t know coming around his newest master.

Eight years, and two more kids later, our Zyne began on another path of change, this one for the worse. It first started with weight loss and stomach problems. I took him to the vet who, given Zyne’s temperament, gave him a quick look and said to give him medicine and watch him. That we did, but he continued to get worse. His weight dropped to less than 90 pounds in a 4 month period. It was then, I chose to take him to another vet, who did extensive tests, kept him overnight, and gave us the news we had been dreading. Zyne’s kidneys were shutting down; he was dying slowly.

My husband and I made the decision to end his suffering, thus ending his life. Shawn’s foot was broken then, so I took care of everything. The day of the appointment, I spent like any other. Zyne enjoyed our routine, as did the kids. We took extra time to watch him run in circles around the rabbit’s cage. He actually thought he was going to get the thing! And as usual, he was more than happy to jump in the car with me. On the way, we stopped by a fast-food place, to share a meal. We also visited my brother, who is not one for words, but gave Zyne a big hug, that left me choked up.

When we arrived, we had to wait until the vet was free. I saw so many signs of life exiting the office, as my dog and I sat in the sun waiting. There were children with kittens, dogs that were full of energy and obvious health. Rather than taking him inside and then carrying him out, the vet came out to my van, as I put Zyne in the back on a blanket that he loved to take over as soon as the kids would abandon it. The vet was excellent, and Zyne was in my arms as she inserted the needle that took his life. I didn’t know what else to do but cry.

As Zyne’s misery was ending, as he drifted off into a better place, I found great solace in the following song.

“Oh, let us rise above the bones. Let us remember the memories. Filled with compassion, not scarred by hunger. Oh, not blinded by the ashes of the past. My eyes have not seen it all, yet in my soul I know. Take me home. I want to go home. We gonna rise. Ya, high above the bones. Safe from harm, ever guarded by Jah Jah’s fire. Our hearts open as the endless sky… let our spirits fly so free.” Miska - Above the Bones