For Zeke....and my brother...

[ScreamingMeemie]

He was (they think) two when my brother picked him out at the Chicago dog rescue. Perhaps a bit retriever, maybe some collie...no one knew. They only knew that he didn't really care for kids...he was a bit skittish, barked at loud noises...and wasn't really a people dog. How he didn't end up on the other side of the needle is anybody's guess.

My brother took him home and named him Zeke, and so began a 16 year love affair. I have no doubt that Zeke would have killed for his beloved owner. With my brother, Zeke was cuddly, happy, sweet and calm...with anyone else another dog altogether.

When Zeke was 3 and a half, he got his long, floofy tail caught in a branch. When my brother came to call him he came running, leaving half of his tail in the branch...a few stitches later, and a brand new stubby look, all was well.

Whenever I would visit my brother, I was loathe to use his bathroom. Zeke was the defender of all things Jimmy, and would nip your rear, your feet...anything he could reach, if he felt you were moving too fast, or messing with Jimmy's stuff.

Zeke was my brother's constant friend, beloved buddy and adored baby. He would do anything he could (taking two hours to eat a bowl of kibble) to keep my brother from leaving him...

....yesterday,Zeke left my brother. He had to. His ears could no longer hear Jimmy's lullabyes...his eyes, saw only an uncertain mist...his legs could no longer carry him to leap into the arms of the one who adored him most. The last couple years, I think he only held on because he was all my brother had. And yesterday, secure in the knowledge that his "Daddy" was going to be okay...with a new "baby" on the way, he went away.

This is for Zeke. A dog that in most cases wouldn't have been given a chance at life. Who instead, gave a man 16 years of devotion, laughs and love...

Thank you little boy.

:cry:

[Coventina]

1. That's a beautiful tribute

:cry:

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Thank you Coventina. My heart is just hurting so much for my brother.

So much of his adult life has been Zeke. He was his everything. :hug:

[flamingyouth]

2. I'm so sorry

RIP, Zeke :cry:

Good boy. :(

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. I always thought he was going to live forever.

He was that kind of dog. :hug:

[redqueen]

3. Oh MrsG

You've made me cry.

Farewell, Zeke...

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Thanks for caring about this little dog, redqueen.

:hug:

[Jessica]

4. What lovely words ...

You gave me chills. I'm sorry for your brother, but happy that Zeke was able to live a full, happy life. Thanks for sharing ...

[ScreamingMeemie]

16. Thank you Jessica. Zeke was always grateful for any little bit of

attention my brother gave him. He was so eager to please...so grateful to be loved. :hi:

[ewagner]

5. Beautiful Tribute

I can't remember who on DU sent me the quote when our Misty had to leave us, but it was quite appropriate.

The lives of Dogs are entirely too short....their only fault really.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. That is so true ewagner....

Zeke was so much a part of who my brother was, that my entire family said we dreaded this day. And here it is. And my brother won't pick up the phone. :(

So, I typed this up and I have a wonderful Photo of Zeke smiling in his arms..and I'm going to send them both to him. :hi:

[commander bunnypants]

6. thank you

:cry:

CB

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. Thank you for reading it cb..

He started out life in a rough manner. I just wanted to let everyone know about him. He did so much for my brother in his little way.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

7. What a lovely tribute to a lovely dog

I'm so sorry for your brother's (and your) loss. :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. I really didn't think it would hit me this hard. But our phone

conversations always included a few minutes of "What Mr. Zeke was up to that day"...or they were peppered with, "Zeke, cut it out, it's just a skateboarder." and in later years, "Zeke, it's okay baby, don't be scared." I saw a softer side of my brother because of Zeke. The last few months, he was joking around about Zeke's incontinence and began calling his apartment, "Zeke's House of Pee". :hi: :hug:

[Rainbowreflect]

8. Beautiful.

I know the love & joy my dogs (babies) have brought to my life and I know the pain & empty sadness when they leave.
:cry: :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. He's really taking it hard. I always knew he would, but it's hurting me

that I can't go visit him and hug him...I can only do this. Thanks Rainbow. :hug:

[Rainbowreflect]

26. They give so much love and ask so little in return.

They become such a huge part of you day to day life that when they are gone their is this big empty hole in your life & your heart.
But to have loving support from family & friends helps. Some people don't understand, saying "it's only a pet".

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. My sister in law said the "only a dog" line the other day (and she

a dog owner) and I wanted to smack her. Jessie is the center of my family and I cannot bear to think of her not there. :hi:

[Dookus]

9. aww...

what a nice tribute.

My dog's only a puppy, but I already dread the thought of him getting old.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. I know what you mean Dookus. I just told MrG the other day that I should

have really thought about it before we got Jessie. I cannot imagine life without her furry little face. :(

[two gun sid]

10. How very, very nice.

I hope your brother is at peace with Zeke's passing.

[ScreamingMeemie]

22. He took two days with him. Just the two of them. Doing their thing.

My other brother (who lives out in CA near him) said he spent most of the days cuddling him and whispering in his ear. I think he'll get there someday. But I have never seen the type of relationship he had with this dog anywhere else. :hi:

[UrbScotty]

11. Thank you Zeke.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

23. Thank you, ih8thegop.

I wanted to leave a tangible memory of him someplace else other than just the heart of my brother. :hug:

[UrbScotty]

31. I still have Bonnie's collar

Bonnie died almost two years ago.

:-(

[Skittles]

12. *sniff*

what a lovely tribute

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. Thank you Skittles.

He was a great dog. :hi:

[madrchsod]

25. ya just brought some tears to my eyes

we lost the "prettiest girl in the world" the other night..i came home last week about about one in the morning, she came up and wagged her tail, gave me a lick, then an hour later she was dead...broke my daughters heart since it was her dog for 13 years....broke mine too...

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. I'm so sorry madrchsod.

:cry: It's never the right time. That something so unassuming can give us such joy, and then such pain." :hug: for you and your daughter.

Laura

[Hand]

29. For Zeke...

Sen. George Graham Vest's tribute to man's best friend:

The best friend that a man may have in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. The son or daughter he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall upon their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its clouds upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one who never deserts him, the one who never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come from encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master, as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as consistent in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth as an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog will go with him. And when the last scene of all comes, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even in death.

RIP, Zeke, and a safe journey to run free and whole at the Rainbow Bridge.

:cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

30. Thank you so much, Hand. That is beautiful.

And I'm going to send it to my brother. :hug: