The Most Painful Grief is Passing.

I know because I slept last night for eight hours with only a fifteen minute grieving break.   It will never go away, but will become part of who I am.

I've done the rounds of Walgreens; of the Pet Food Store (Beneva and Webber) where the staff wept when they saw his photo'  "He was a true gentleman" said one;  and of Trader Joe's where one staff member would sneak a break if he knew that Z was outside.

ZiZi gave much.   He brightened the days of oh so many. 

It was a cruel shock when a CTScan for one condition revealed the others -  the advanced cancer in his spleen and lungs.   Thank God he never showed signs of suffering.  The decision to bring his life to an end was painfully wise.  As one Veterinarian said "otherwise he would have suffocated at home since there was so much blood in his lungs". Yes, I noticed that he had been panting a bit.

And yes there has been a outpouring of love and care from my neighbours who thought the world of him.

Zion loved small dogs.  He would always go nose to nose, not nose to rear end. He was a kisser, not a sniffer.

Here he is with six months old Maggie.

But the time came when he indicated  "enough already".

We were very fortunate  that Zion's last hours were spent under the care of   Dr. Raz Peress and Dr.  Carly Ciocola .  See their photo's here as part of the team at the Veterinary Surgery Center on Cooper Creek Rd  (near the University Town Center on the line between Sarasota and Manatee Counties).

https://vscsarasota.com/about-us/our-team/

Their skill, care and compassion was exemplary.  Dr Raz and I held Zion as his life slipped away.

I plan to make a donation in their honour to the

https://vscsarasota.com/about-us/barkley-rescue-fund/

Others may wish to do the same.  If you so do please mention the  Doctors' names, and Zion.  

See what good work the Fund enables.

And know that I am humbled and grateful for your overflowing outpouring of care.

💗