Never left her side

My dearest friend recently lost her precious little buddy, a mini dachshund named, Zorro. His Mom was so happy when he first became part of her life. She stood in the living room holding him in her arms; he was happy and nuzzled against her neck. The two of them loved one another at first sight.

His Mom knew that her newfound little buddy had a life span of fifteen years and though not long enough, it was still fifteen years she could spend with him. Unfortunately, at the age of seven, cancer had different ideas, robbing him of life and his Mom of him.

He was a very small puppy when he came to add sunshine and love to the lives of my friend and her children. He was quickly given his name because of a black mask around his small eyes and a penchant for peeing in the shape of a "Z" when excited and happy to see you. Yes, it was pee and it was so cute and funny and his new Mom's floors were tiled, so it was cleaned up with a smile.

Zorro did not know it at the time, he was far too content being loved and adored by his new Mom, but he was a lucky little puppy. He had just become part of a very special family, one of pure love, happiness, laughter. I truthfully do not ever recall a time he was even scolded. His Mom believes in love, sunsets, a beautiful moon and the gift that we call life. Yes, Zorro was a lucky little guy.

Years passed, Zorro liked sleeping in bed with his Mom, but he was far too little to jump up on it. Lucky for him, His Mom is a problem solver and quickly took care of her buddy's problem; she had a ramp made so the little guy could walk up to snuggle next to his Mom at bedtime. Yes, he was a happy little guy.

Sad things happen in life, even to people with as much love for life and capacity to love within her as his Mom. She had surgery on her back, experienced a painful recovery and then diagnosed with a severe, possibly terminal illness. Before surgery she would swim laps daily, now it was difficult to take a step. I watched helpless as she slipped lower into the darkness of depression, my love for her was very deep, our friendship strong, yet I could only be there for her, someone to talk about her life and cry about her possible future with.

His Mom had Zorro and he had her, their lives intersected in happiness, now as she spiraled into depression, Zorro was there for his Mom. He was constantly at her side, nuzzling her, letting her know he was there. He would only walk down his ramp to go outside, something to eat or drink and back up the ramp to his Mom. She needed him, he knew it and he was determined to help her beat this. He loved his Mom, he wanted her back and his determination drove him on.

Zorro pulled his Mom back from the darkness; the little guy was her buddy and her salvation. His Mom was back and determined to get her life back. The two of them worked together, taking walks to regain her balance, drives in the car for shopping and holding him back from the neighbor's cat. They were both back.

They did not have a long time together though, one year after he pulled her back, she noticed he was bleeding from the muzzle and it had a horrible odor. At first the veterinarian diagnosed a gum problem, but shortly changed it to cancer. Zorro and her spent four days together, he stayed on her bed, she never left his side.