On June 22, 1992, our lives changed forever when I brought home a ten week old miniature schnauzer puppy and named him Zak (Maran's Major Zak).  Right away we took him everywhere-parties, friend's houses, and weekends away.  He was Tom's "little buddy" and my "most precious mommy's boy".  He was beautiful and calm and had a personality to match.  There were days when I truly couldn't imagine life without him.

On March 17, 2000, Zak was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. It was one of the worst days of my life.  For the next month, we fought to save him.  We did everything we could and he just kept getting sicker.  It was like a nightmare.  On April 19, I dropped him off at the vet in the morning on my way to work.  At this time we had him on IVs all day at the vet and were bringing him home at night to sleep with us-he hated to be crated and as sick as he was, would stand all day.  As I signed him in, he huddled in the corner and at that moment I saw how emaciated and miserable he looked and I knew I couldn't allow it to go on much longer.

Before going to pick him up that night, Tom and I took Zoe for a walk and decided that if the results of the latest tests didn't show improvement, we would not bring him home, and we didn't.  It was the hardest decision I've ever made.  He went peacefully in my arms with Tom holding us both.  I'm so glad I found the courage to stay with him at the end.  I'm forever grateful to our vets, Dr. Andrea, and Dr. Linda and the entire staff at Double A Veterinary Hospital for their compassion and understanding during this horrible month of our lives; and to all of my on and off line friends for their messages of sympathy and support in the aftermath.






Zak, you posessed a magical combination of personality and character.  In your eight short years of life you gifted with me indescribable joy.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about you in some way.  Even though I miss you terribly, it helps to know that you're now healthy again and running and playing with new friends at the bridge.  Try not to boss them around too much.  LOL!  Til we meet again my baby...
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This page was last updated on: January 17, 2003

On September 3, 2002, Zak was joined at the Rainbow bridge by his Uncle Shultz.  Click below to visit Shultz's memorial page.
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