In Memory of Zeus

In Memory of Zeus

Last Saturday, we said farewell to a dear friend. Our beloved Doberman, Zeus had to be euthanized.

It started about 2 months ago when we noticed a lump on his hip. It was surgically removed, but proved to be a malignancy. In a relatively short time, more tumors appeared. He grew weaker as the disease progressed. It was very difficult to see him succumb to this deadly disease and even harder to make the decision to end his suffering.

Zeus was true to his breed possessing intelligence, courage, loyalty and gentleness. He was part King Doberman and stood slightly taller than the standard. With his slim physique, sleek coat and long legs, he was sometimes mistaken for a Greyhound.

Zeus was born on April 6, 2002. As a youngster, he exhibited all the routine puppy habits, chewing everything in site. On his first visit to Oma’s, he ate her freshly planted Pansies. He was not the most popular fellow in her books.

In true Doberman fashion, he was aloof with strangers, but to those he considered part of his pack, he never lost that puppy innocence and playfulness. I was proud to be part of his inner circle. When my son Mark was housebound with a knee injury, he and Zeus formed a lifelong bond. To the end of his days, Mark was the most important person in his life. When Mark was away at work, Zeus would throw back his head and howl sorrowfully, as he waited for his master to return.

Zeus was a terrific guard dog. No one dared to venture onto the property once they heard his ferocious bark. Little did they know that he never bit anyone in his life. Apparently, biting was not in his job description. (this endeared him to us even more). Ever on alert, he immediately sprang into action if we asked “who’s there?” He would scan the entire yard, looking for trespassers with an intensity only a Doberman could create.

We never mastered the art of walking him with a leash. It always appeared that he was walking us, and our shoulders were practically getting dislocated. Even with a choke chain, he seldom lessened his vigorous tugs.

When Mark was in Europe, I had the privledge of keeping Zeus for 6 weeks. We went for daily hikes on the nature trails. Since there was often no one else around, I let him run off leash to his heart’s content. He ran like a gazelle, up and down the trails, delirious with happiness. Every once in a while he would bound off into the underbrush. There would be some loud barks, a few yelps and soon after, he would reappear on the path, his muzzle full of sharp porcupine quills. He always looked startled and slightly embarrassed, like the cat who ate the canary. He avoided eye contact with me as if he admitted his guilt.

Even though he had a canine’s superior sense of smell, Zeus often clashed with Skunks. It happened once, late at night as Mark and family were ready to drive back home to Edmonton. Picture 3 of us in the bathroom, with an 85 lb Dobie in the tub, doused with tomato juice, jumping up and down, shower curtain tearing, tomato juice everywhere except on the dog. My house smelled like a skunk den for a week.

Zeus also had a knack for getting into the garbage, especially when his people were gone for a few hours. Our patience was tested to the limit, coming home to the mess. On one occasion Zeus hit the jackpot. I had a roast beef defrosting in the sink. Taking advantage of his height, he reached in and easily grabbed the meat. I assumed that he ate the entire thing in a gluttonous frenzy, since I never found that roast. He was sneaky and knew when to seize an opportunity. An entire box of Girl Guide cookies also suffered the same fate.

He loved to do tricks for small treats. I taught him to SIT, STAY, SPEAK, LIE DOWN, ROLL OVER, and SHAKE A PAW. Anything for a treat. He sometimes ran out of the yard and enjoyed the exhilaration of freedom for a few minutes. The only way I could convince him to come back was to hold up a cat as a “treat” The cat was not amused but that trick worked every time. Zeus didn’t mind cats, but cats minded him. He couldn’t resist the chase, but he was such a gentle soul, he would never hurt them.

Ah Zeus. He was our loyal companion, our furry friend and our protector. He was a member of our family and a part of our life. We will never forget him.

　

REST IN PEACE SWEET ZEUS

WE WILL MISS YOU