7.13.2009

Goodbye, Zucco

Zucco died this morning or late last night some time.
We are heart broken.
Zoo
He will be dearly missed. Zucco was a sweet soul and from the moment we got him he had our hearts. We rescued Zucco. He was a skinny and sad little dog and we weren't sure if he was just neglected or if he was sick. He had been abandoned, left in a crate along the roadside in the middle of Nevada. We found him via an online pet rescue site. I immediately called the rescue shelter and told them that we had a Schnauzer, that our neighbors had schnauzers and that we had been thinking about getting another but didn't want to go thru a breeder this time. There are just too many dogs out there that need homes.
Everyone who met Zu-buddy always said he had 'old man eyes'. He did. He had these big brown eyes that seemed to be very wisdom filled. I often wondered what his life was like before we got him, we will never know. But what I do know is what his life was like while we had him....

He was a runner, boy howdy could Zucco run.
fast
When we first brought him home he would dig out of the yard at least once a week (at least). Cloe, not one to be left out of an adventure, would follow him. But, after a particularly long and scary escape he just stopped trying to get out and realized that he had a good thing going here- food, water, a bed.

The dogs got hops

Once we got him trained enough we started to take him to the leash free park near our house. He was like a flash of silver fur up there. He would be half way across the field hardly before the clasp of the leash was unhooked. He was fast and springy and could almost keep up with the whippet that was often at the park when we were.

He was a lover.
Zucco + bokeh
In the mornings I would wake up to see four little paws sticking out of the covers next to Daddy-O. He would be snuggled in and happily spooning with his buddy. Zu always loved to curl up in your lap if you would let him. He was polite about it though and would wait until he was invited. He did this funny thing where he would stare at you and kind of growl-bark at you until you told him to stay on the floor or invite him up on the couch. It was pretty funny and tripped out company when he did it. He also knew how to ask for his food, "arrr-rowrowrow", speaking like Daddy-O had taught him.
sniff sniff*100608
He was good with the baby, although recently had started to not be sure about the crawling and exuberant patting that he was getting from Mr. O, he would just hang out and let him play drums on his belly.

One of his best attributes though was that he put up with Cloe-girl and all her alpha-dog ways. He was patient and sweet. When they got going in the back yard or doing loops around the house race track style, he knew how to go just fast enough to keep her interested and playing even though he was much faster then her (such a gentleman). I will miss those crazy bark fest chases they would have around the kitchen into the living room around the front landing, into the dinning room and back into the kitchen- skidding out as they hit the linoleum floors.
short attention span theater
(Zucco on the left, Cloe on the right)

I am going to miss this dog. I hope we gave him a good life while he was with us But most of all I hope he didn't suffer too much yesterday before he passed. We really had no idea that he was that sick. He had been chasing birds in the back yard at noon and was gone when we got up this morning.
zucco ttv
xo Zucco Clyde xo, we love you buddy.

17 comments:

  1. A lovely post. My heart goes out to you, V. It's never an easy thing losing a loved one and dear pets are no different. He's lucky to have been a part of your family. You're lucky to have had him in your life.

    Take care...

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  2. Oh, I am so sorry. Our dog died a few months ago, so this post really touched me. You're in my thoughts.

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  3. I am so sorry for your loss. There's nothing really comforting that I could write but I'm sending you lots of warmest thoughts.
    There so much love in your words. I read with tears in my eyes.

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  4. I'm so sorry, Vanessa. What a wonderful tribute to this beautiful pup. You are all in my thoughts.

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  5. Touching tribute to a fine dog, Nessie.

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  6. Sorry that you had to lose something you loved so much.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Zucco. Lovely tribute post to him ... and I must say ... that second photo of him running behind the bike is priceless.

    I hope your heart doesn't stay too sad for too long.

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  8. Echoes of all the sentiments above are running through my head. I know you made his life better by making him part of your family. The suddenness must have made it so hard. My heart and hugs go out to you and your boys.

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  9. oh gosh, vanessa...i am so sorry to read about your sweet boy. it's never easy losing a member of the family.
    i am sure...positive that he was loved a ton. and he knew it...you can tell that he was a wise dog from his eyes.

    love to you and yours, mama. xoxo

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  10. I'm sorry Vanessa. I am glad you were his mama though because you loved him so much. He looked like a sweet, sweet guy.

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  11. that sweet pup, so sorry Vanessa.
    xo

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  12. condolences. it's never easy to lose a furry friend. You obviously gave him so much so much love and a good life.

    Sending love to you all.
    RIP Zucco

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  13. Anonymous16.7.09

    Vanessa...I am so sorry for your loss....sending all of you a big hug! Dogs are such special creatures that wrap themselves around our hearts!

    The pictures of his life are so special and will always give you sweet memories....Libbey dog sends her love to you as well!

    xoxo, Amy

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  14. Vanessa, I followed you from your comment on my blog (thanks!) and was sad to see that you've recently lost your beloved friend. He sure looked like he had a wonderful life with you and that he knew he was loved. I'm so sorry for your pain. I know he will always remain dear in your hearts and minds.

    Amy in Maine

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  15. oh no! i'm just catching up and saw this. i'm so sorry. he was a lucky pup to have a second chance with you.

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  16. just last night, my four year-old daugher reminded me, "mommy, only its (fire fly) body is dead. its spirit is still flying around". don't want to be an intruder... hope you are smiled today :0)

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