A life was taken from our family today… My brother’s dog had a seizure this morning in the doctor’s office. Though she could not pass peacefully, she can now be at peace—forever. Just yesterday she was fine, laying down under the table in her usual secluded and peaceful spot. She didn’t like to be bothered and when she was, she snapped. I believe it was the old soul in her. An interesting dog she was: She was never needy. She was so totally independent and clearly showed she was fine on her own… Unless of course someone had a piece of food she wanted to gobble up… There are a lot of things I can learn from her, despite the initial foolishness you might think because of course she is merely a dog. I’ve always wished I could be like her— completely independent, strong and yet still so happy with life. She didn’t need anyone. With a trio of pomeranians against her at almost all times, she stood her ground and fought back. When she wanted that strip of chicken or dog treat, she would snap as fast as she could and get what she wanted. She was a tough dog that stood her ground yet barked about a total of two times in her lifetime. (At least from what we’ve witnessed…) She was brave, and I wish I could be just as carefree and stoic as her. Essentially, Zoey was a dog to be respected… And she was. She was treated like nothing less than a Queen.

When she was alive, I never got the courage to carry her. Well, I did before she started snapping… My brother tried to put her in my arms a couple of times, but I couldn’t relax. I was always too scared, too afraid she might snap at me… And now, the only time I held her again was as my brother was digging her resting spot in our backyard.

Her death reminds me that often we are too late to do the things we’ve planned to do… the things we’re too scared to do… until we miss our chance completely. I’ll never get the opportunity to finally pick her up and hold her (with the huge possibility of her snapping) again.. My chance has passed. And I’m sorry I was never brave enough, Zoey. But the courage to do all those other things I’ve been fearing? Those, fortunately, are still there. Those little insecurities and tiny pieces of fear I have each day— Speaking up in meetings or fighting for what I want or telling someone you love them… Being too afraid to hold you Zoey and show you the love you deserve… Life doesn’t wait for you, I’ve learned thus far. Neither do second chances… So for every fear I have, for every chance I take, when I can finally muster up the courage to overcome it and abandon all insecurities about these petty fears in life- I’ll offer it up to you, Zoey.