Our Zoe...

One year ago today we put Zoe to sleep. I wrote about it back here. We will miss that dog like crazy everyday.

A Tribute to Our Beloved Zoe...

This past weekend we had to put our 12 year old Golden Retriever, Zoe, to sleep.  It was so hard to finally come to that decision, but Mark and I knew it was time.  In June, Zoe started having trouble and at that time we know our time with her was limited.  

She started having trouble walking up and down the stairs of the house a few years ago, and that continued to get worse and worse. In June, she started having accidents in the house, so we took her in to be seen by the vet.  The vet determined she was developing some nerve damage that would not improve with any intervention.  We increased some of her meds and she seemed to get getting around better.  The accidents decreased, but they were still happening.  Her mind was still as sharp as ever.  Our sweet little Zoe was still there.  

Fast forward to the past few weeks and we knew it was time.  She could not walk up and down the stairs at all.  Mark has been carrying her to our bedroom each night for weeks.  We have been cleaning up accidents for weeks.  We literally have been helping her stand up and walk for weeks.  She quit wagging her tail.  She hardly ever got excited anymore...unless you said the word treat.  That always made her ears perk up a little bit.  And the last 2 days of her life that was all she had.  She had treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

Zoe was an amazing dog that the girls adored.  She was so patient and so tolerable of everything with the girls.  Zoe was my buddy and I can't quite figure out why.  Mark fed her, gave her water, let her outside, let her back inside, played catch with her, gave her treats, put peanut butter in her kong, and bought her her Christmas presents.  Yet, Zoe always followed me around.  She used to sit down next to me and get as close to me as she possibly could.  When Mark was downstairs and I was upstairs (at both this house and the old house) Zoe would lay in the middle of us...At the old house she would lay in the kitchen right near the stairs.  At the new house she would lay in the entry way.  She was always in the middle of us.  

Zoe loved her peanut butter filled bones and stuffed animals she got every year for Christmas.  She loved getting peanut butter in her kong.  She LOVED the snow and hated thunderstorms and rain.  She never really was trained to walk on a leash that well, so we didn't take her on many walks.  She loved to play catch and would play all night long as long as there was someone there to throw her the ball.  

Zoe was so calm and a well behaved dog.  Although she always got excited when people came over to visit.  She would go crazy like a puppy until you acknowledged her and then she would calm down.  If she stepped on your feet, I'm sorry.  I know that hurt.  

The girls absolutely adored Zoe.  Sometimes I would pick Zoe up from the groomer and then go pick up the girls and they were so excited to have Zoe in the car.  Zoe never really liked the groomer or the vet and she hated the kennel we would have to send her to when we would go out of town.  We used to take Zoe to Omaha with us, before the girls were born.  But, after a while it was too much to take  Zoe and the kids to Omaha, although the girls begged over and over again to let to come along.  I really think Zoe was half human because she preferred to be with us any day over another dog.  For example, we tried to take her to the doggie park to run and play with the other dogs, but she just stood there next to us the whole time.  She adored us.  

Zoe was great off the leash around the neighborhood.  She might chase a squirrel here and there so you would have to keep an eye on her.  Otherwise, we could have her out front with us and she would stay near us and not run off.  She used to greet the girls as they got off the bus and she knew exactly when I would let her run across the street to go say hello to the girls.  Then Lauren and Addison and Zoe would run back home!  It was the greatest thing to see.  Zoe brought us so much joy.  

Playing in the snow was one of her favorite past times.  A few winters ago when we were snowed in, Zoe was right there with us playing outside.  She would run up and down the street playing with all the neighbors.  We didn't have to worry about any cars because no one was outside driving!

The girls would always want Zoe to sleep in their rooms at night.  She might start there and stay there for a while, but she always ended up wherever I was.  Zoe was my shadow and my buddy.  

In her final days this past weekend we cried a lot.  It was so sad.  We gave her a bath earlier in the week and it was very therapeutic for me to get her cleaned up and smelling better.  All 4 of us helped get her cleaned up and dried off.  Friday night Zoe followed me around the back yard begging for treats.  She was able to walk Friday night and that was the last time she walked.  Begging me for treats around the backyard.  Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon I filled her kong with peanut butter and held the kong for her to enjoy one of her favorite treats in her final days.  She couldn't even stand up to drink water, so I held her head up and helped her drink out of her water bowl.  

Saturday and Sunday Zoe didn't move from this blanket.  The only time she was outside was a few times when Mark carried her out to pee.  Mark learned the hard way that the only way Zoe would pee is if he was holding her a certain way and pushing on her bladder.  She was old and and heavy.  I am so thankful Mark was able to carry her in and out of the house these last few days.  

We spent the whole weekend with Zoe surrounded by us.  The only time she was alone was when we had to go to Lauren's soccer game.  We talked to Zoe, laid with Zoe, cried with Zoe, petted Zoe, shared memories of Zoe, and tried to savor the final hours we had with her.  As I type this there are tears flowing down my face.  We miss her so much.  

Saturday night we had a slumber party in the living room.  Zoe and the girls on the floor and Mark and I on the couch.  Zoe spent her last night on the earth surrounded by us.  I am so glad we did that. Mark had been sleeping on the couch the last few nights.  Zoe was so hard to get up and down the stairs that it was just easier to keep her in the living room.  But, if we were not there then she would have tried to walk up stairs to our room.  Zoe always wanted to be with us.  

My sister and her family came over Sunday morning to say their good byes to Zoe.  When the door bell rang, Zoe barked.  That was the most life she had shown all weekend.  I know she wanted to get up and see who was at the door, but she couldn't move.  She did not have the strength to get up any more.  Saturday and Sunday she couldn't even stand up, let alone walk.  Her breathing was becoming more and more shallow and I knew we were making the right decision, although an awful decision to have to make.  

We hung out all day with Zoe on Sunday and made sure she was never alone.  We got the call Sunday night at 5:30 that he vet was on his way and would be there shortly after 6:00. 6:00 came so fast.  We are so thankful that the vet made a house call.  We are so thankful that we were able to spend the whole weekend with Zoe.  We are so thankful that I was able to be by Zoe's side the whole entire time.  Mark and the girls went upstairs, but after the vet was done, they came downstairs to say good bye one last time.  Oh man, it was awful but the right thing to do and the absolute best circumstances.     

Addison was very sad and cried a lot these past few weeks.  She did not want to put Zoe to sleep at all.  She really didn't understand.  

Lauren handled it better than I thought she would.  She understood that Zoe was sick.  She understood that we didn't want Zoe to die when we were at work or in the middle of the night. Mark and I were very worried about that.  These past few nights at bedtime Lauren shared she has been talking to Zoe.  She has been telling Zoe about her day and telling her how she misses her.  

We have all cried a lot.  Mark and I got Zoe 6 months after we got married.  She was our first "baby."  Our first true responsibility.  Our first shot at parenthood. She taught us a lot and prepared us for the girls.  

Lauren has the biggest heart and is the sweetest little girl.  She made this heart of sticky notes and wrote Zoe the above note.  I know Lauren will have more memories of Zoe and will hang onto to those for years to come.  Lauren has told me over the last few days that she has been talking to Zoe.  Breaks my heart. 

This is the Zoe we want to remember.  Just last summer, at 11 years old, Zoe was still out swimming at the pool.  Until this past summer, Zoe never really acted old.  At all.  She still had a lot of energy in her and seemed to think she was still a puppy.  We adored Zoe and the joy she brought to our life.  We are so thankful that she was with us for 12 years.  We gave her the absolute best life that a dog could have.  We are so thankful for the memories that will forever be in our hearts and in our minds.  Until we meet again Zoe.

August 2nd, 2003 - August 30th, 2015

Summer is Winding Down and Everything Else We Did!

I really hate that we unofficially have 2 days of summer left.  School starts Wednesday and although we might be a little bit ready, a piece of me secretly loves Summer.  Lauren is ready to start 4th grade and Addison is headed to 1st grade, although she is not quite ready to start school.  She loves summer!

Here are a few more things we did this summer....

Soccer camp was in July..the hottest week of July with high temperatures close to 100 degrees.  Good thing these girls love soccer because it was hot.  But, they had a blast and learned a ton! 

Lauren, Lily and Jade.  A few of the stars from Lauren's soccer team.  I can't wait to see how much they learned this summer.  Our first soccer game is this weekend!  

Although this picture is from a few weeks ago, we soaked up the sun this weekend by spending all day Sunday afternoon at the pool.  4 hours of sun and fun.  We probably would have stayed longer if we could have had dinner delivered to us.  Mark and I were visiting with neighbors and the girls were having a blast in the water.  

We have been to 4 or 5 Royals games this summer and are still watching every single game.  We love the boys in blue.  They are so much fun to watch! 

The girls enjoyed a sleep over a few weeks ago.  Both girls were at the same house.  They stayed  up way to late and Lauren came home and took a nap like this...for 3 hours!  

This is Addison.  But if you take a quick glance you would think it was Lauren.  Lauren sent me this picture from the sleepover...at 1130 at night...Lauren was STILL awake and Addison was fast asleep...looking just like her sister.  

Lauren got to take a friend to the One Direction concert since Addison was sick.  It was a great show! 

We stayed until the very end and soaked up every minute of the experience.  

We went school supply/clothes/tennis shoe shopping and had lunch at McDonald's...a kids favorite...Mom not so much.  

We made brownies during our first sleepover at our house for Addison. 

We iced the brownies..and ate lots and lots of brownies at 9:30 at night!  

"Never Wearing Again."  Just in case you could not interpret what this note said.  Addison left me a note one morning with a pile of clothes and shoes (brand new clothes and shoes) and stated she was never wearing them again.  Apparently they are too big.  And yes, they are a little big.  I refuse to buy my almost 7 year old a size 5/6.  Or a shoe that fits her perfectly now that she will need when it gets cold outside...so yes, things are a little big right now....But, she will grow into things and maybe she will wear them in a few months. 

Addison still sleeps with all the stuffies....

We enjoyed date day!  Addison and I went to Build a Bear, rode the carousel at the mall and had some ice cream!  

Mark and Lauren went miniature golfing and to Starbucks for their date! 

Following the KCRoayals on Instagram is always fun when you get to see pictures of this guy...Lauren has the biggest crush on Hosmer....and he has been playing so good since the All Star Break! 

Zoe.  Our dear little Zoe.  Just this past week has really had a hard time getting around.  We know we only have weeks left with her and it's so hard to determine when it is time to let her go.  She has so much life and spunk in her, but yet she can hardly walk on the hardwood floors, she has to be carried up and down the stairs, and has accidents several times a week.  But, we love her dearly and just can't let her go...so we will hang on for a little while longer and love on her for as long as we can. 

Summer 2015 was very good to us with so many memories made.  It's almost time to start a new chapter and challenges.  Bring on the new year!  

Zoe

Zoe, our wonderful, amazing, calm (most of the time) dog turned 10 today!  Mark and I got Zoe about 6 months after we were married and she has been an incredible dog ever since.  If you know us well, then you know this dog has cost us a fortune over the years (she is allergic to grass, dust, trees, and much, much more) Seriously, a dog allergic to grass...but oh well.  She is incredible with the girls, tolerates anything, follows me around like a puppy and always has (even though Mark is the one that feeds her!)  At night she will lay exactly in between the two of us no matter where we are in the house.  If I am in the basement and Mark in the living room, then Zoe is laying right next to the basement door.

 

 

We sure hope she lives for a long time, as the girls have really started to adore her over the last few years.  Lauren takes awesome care of Zoe feeding her, giving her water, and treats.  Addison still tries to ride her like a horse at times, and Zoe completely tolerates it.  It will be a very sad day when Zoe is no longer with us...but lets hope for several more years of Zoe. 

 

Happy 10th birthday Zoe.  We love you!

Zoe is 9

Happy 9th Birthday Zoe.  The BEST dog ever!  We love you!

Your favorite gift, a peanut butter filled bone. 

and a stuffed monkey to rip apart in just a few short hours and spread all over the house.