Zeus

2011 - 2024

Our ‘Bestest Boy,’ Zeus, passed away in the loving embrace of the dads who adored him on the evening of October 6, 2024 at EPVMC in Allentown after a brief illness. Born on June 22, 2011, Zeus lived 13 years, 3 months, and 6 days, spending all but the first 9 months of his life as the most beloved member of our family. With a personality every bit as big as his 105-pound frame, he was the center of every room he entered; it would be an understatement to say that his passing has left an enormous void that can never, ever be filled.

Zeus, you showed us pretty quickly just how smart you were—learning to open and close the car window on your own within days of your first ride! Those same smarts guided you to the restaurant we owned, where you patiently waited for us to come for you, even though we had never showed you how to get there! You alerted us when your elderly Papa was ill, prompting us to look into what was wrong—likely saving his life—and you lay by his bedside, guarding him from harm, whenever we were out of the house. Somehow, you understood whenever we were sick or worried or feeling down, showering us with kisses and snuggles and refusing to leave our side.

You made every day brighter with your boundless excitement, and you taught us to appreciate the little things we might otherwise overlook—like the crunch and smell of the Autumn leaves you loved to play in so much. You reminded us to take time to play, bringing us toys while we worked and dragging us outside for thousands of walks along your favorite paths in the park. You made our day when you would revel in all the extra attention and presents from your many, many friends every birthday, Christmas, and Gotcha Day, but we also loved seeing how happy you were just to climb up onto the couch and take a carefree nap, your legs pointing up in the air. You turned yard work into Frisbee playing time and snowstorms into opportunities for adventure. Your enthusiastic greeting, every time we walked through the door, made us always look forward to coming home, and your thrill at letting your ears flap in the wind made us enjoy even simple trips to the store. In short, Zeus, you made absolutely everything better.

We know we are lucky to have had you so long, grateful that you outlasted the lifespan of your breed, puppy-like and playful nearly to the very end. As the years went on, we only grew to love you more—making it all the harder when we finally had to say ‘goodbye.’ It is one of life’s greatest cruelties that the most loyal and loving of our companions lives a life so much shorter than ours—and now we feel your absence every time we walk through the door or climb into bed without you. You loved us for your entire life; we will miss you for the rest of ours. There are many tears left to be shed—I am crying as I write these words. But there are smiles and laughter, too, as every day we recall wonderful memories, and share pictures, and re-tell stories of all the joy you brought us. Thank you for loving us so long and so loyally, Zeus. We take comfort in knowing that on every one of the 4,571 days you were a part of our family, you were showered with love.

We will miss you and love you forever.