Zoe: A gift beyond compare
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Christine Cowett Robinson
As I turned the corner in the dog kennel, I saw her, a tiny brown dog, with a black button nose, and deep brown eyes; she turned to me, scared to death, trembling, and peed. I knew I had to have her. I remember begging my husband for this one dog. She had to be mine and I would not take “no” for an answer. After weeks of begging and harassing for his approval, I just brought her home. I would not recommend that method to anyone, but it worked for me.
From the first day I brought her home Zoe was my girl. We had many years of good times: camping, hiking, rides in the car — wherever I was, Zoe usually was too. She could run like the wind and in the winter you could see only her hind end sticking out of the snow because she would dig deep holes looking for mice. We lovingly called her “land shark” because she policed her domain and would discipline any dog that got out of line. She accepted the many changes in our lives: dogs coming and going, cats, livestock and eventually my children, who grew to love her as much as I did.
It was hard to watch her age; she got white in the face, her steps were not so quick and sometimes she would miss a stair on the way into the house, but that was OK, we made accommodations to meet her needs. Then one day she could no longer jump up on the bed (she had slept in my bed since the day I brought her home). So every night I would lift her to the bed. I noticed that her body had become frail, her legs unsteady, her appetite lessened and sometimes she would pee on the floor. I would cook for her, her favorite was spaghetti, which she would slurp from a bowl. I knew our days were numbered, I prayed and cried for just one more day.
Sept. 10, 2014 was my last day with my beloved girl; she is in heaven now, but not a day goes by that I do not miss her — the smell of her fur, the touch of her nose.
Zoe was a true gift to me, and my wish is that everyone could experience such an amazing gift just once in his or her lifetime. I learned so much from her. She was giving and loving, there will never be another exactly like her.
It has taken me months to be able to write this, to share my journey with you. Zoe came into my life 16.5 years ago, when I first became a board member at the Central Aroostook Humane Society; she was my driving force to help unwanted dogs and cats. If anyone ever tells you that the animals at the shelter are not worth saving, are junk or that there is something wrong with the animals, they are wrong. If they tell you that our cause is not a good one or that our services are not needed, they are wrong. If not for CAHS, I would never have met this amazing dog who changed me forever.
Thank you for sharing my journey, 16.5 years of loving Zoe. For Christmas, let’s try to find them all loving homes!
Please support the Central Aroostook Humane Society and our mission to save animals. To find a friend for life, visit the shelter at 26 Cross St., Presque Isle.
