Good being always a relative term, of course. He’s enjoying about two pounds of chicken in his belly and a pound of turkey keeping the chicken company. I think Aldo Leopold would have said something about his eyes. Fire still burning.

1. 
   Ancrene Wiseass 2007 01 31 at 5:55:19 am

   Such a beautiful boy.

2. 
   piny 2007 01 31 at 3:21:38 pm

   Aw.  And he is a beautiful dog.

3. 
   Don K 2007 01 31 at 4:26:35 pm

   I started reading about Zeke a couple of months ago.  I was instantly drawn into his story because I had an aging dog (Ellie, my first) and was already starting to come to grips with the inevitable future.  I was wondering how well I would handle the decision regarding the shot.  Just the thought of it would cause my eyes to well up a bit!  However, I took solace in the fact that, although a bit slow, she was in good health and didn’t have any evident pain.  I thought it might be a while and that I would continue to enjoy her company for years.

   Then, just before Christmas, she wandered off from our property after playing with some neighbor dogs.  This was not something she would normally do.  At first, I was worried, but quite sure she would return soon.  After an hour passed, I started calling around to the few neighbors we have to keep an eye out.  I then started out with my other dog and searched for hours.  We live in the mountains West of Boulder, CO, so it was a daunting task.  I was also concerned that the 1 inch of snow we got that day would be enough to disorient her and hide the smells she would normally use to navigate home.  I posted flyers, contacted the nearest shelter, and got my neighbors involved in the search.  When night fell and the temperature dropped to 10 degrees, my stomach was in knots and I was at the door and windows every ten minutes looking for her.  This continued for three days, with me taking time off of work to drive and hike the neighborhood all day long. 

   Then we got three feet of snow and all hope was lost.  I was able to be ‘manly’ about the whole thing until then, but that harsh realization made the tears come.  I’ve had many people tell me that she might have known that something was wrong with her and she just slinked off to die.  While that is a more tolerable thought than her getting lost and freezing to death or becoming lion food, it really isn’t very comforting.

   Even though the point is moot, I’ve been wondering which is worse: going through what I did, never knowing what happened and not being able to say goodbye or what Chris is going though, which, while certainty is in abundance, it isn’t any comfort at all.

   Since I don’t have anything to bury, I am going to set an aspen hiking stick, with her name carved into it, into our yard where I saw her last.  She was a good one!  Aren’t they all?

4. 
   Cathy 2007 01 31 at 4:54:47 pm

   Chris,

   I only know you through the blog, but please know that I am thinking of you many times a day. 

   Zeke is so lucky to have you.

5. 
   Natalie 2007 01 31 at 5:42:19 pm

   It’s good to see him. :)

   Sending hugs and warm wishes,

   Natalie

6. 
   Linda 2007 01 31 at 6:04:14 pm

   I check this website every morning, forgetting about the time difference between here and there. Then I check in the afternoon.He seems to be holding on, what with his appetite. He has a very strong will to live, and a tremendous capacity to love. It will be hard when it actually happens, but I believe that he will tell you when he is ready to go. At my house, we have come to love Zeke. He reminds us so much of Nikko, who we miss and talk about to this day..it’s been 12 years since he died…I definitely know how you feel.

7. 
   treepeony 2007 01 31 at 7:28:38 pm

   You and Zeke are in my thoughts often every day.  Thank you for revealing yourself as a human being, a mensch.  Thanks for letting us into the sanctum of your profound relationship with Zeke.  The knowledge enriches my life.  I hope that, when you’ve finished your joshua tree book, you will write another about the noble Zeke.  We should all be beloved as you and he are, each in the sight of the other.

8. 
   Sheila 2007 01 31 at 7:32:17 pm

   He looks the picture of doggish contentment.  I always love to see a photo of him.  He’s a dang good lookin’ guy.  Hmm, you do shine literarily when you write about him.

9. 
   evil_fizz 2007 01 31 at 7:40:38 pm

   I have been trying to comment on the Zeke posts for the better part of a month now, but I’ve had such a hard time coming up with something other than “I’m so sorry.”  So I think I am going to just thank you for sharing your amazing relationship with your readers and second piny’s comment about how beautiful Zeke is.

10. 
    tigtog 2007 01 31 at 7:57:13 pm

    It’s ages since I last commented, but I keep on following the Zeke news in my RSS reader.  I’m glad he’s still happy and loving, and that you’re managing, with difficulty, this ending-time.

    Cyberskritch for Zeke and cyberhug for you, mate.

11. 
    stinger 2007 01 31 at 8:15:30 pm

    Anyone who has been through it understands. And all your friends and lurking fans have your back. Thanks for sharing Zeke with us.