Today I was going to use this space to remember 20 years ago tomorrow. You know, where I was when our lives and sense of security suddenly vanished when we witnessed two jet airliners fly into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.
Instead, I’m saying good bye to Zeus, our dog and member of our family for nearly twelve years. It wasn’t anything like he was run over by a car or anything quite so tragic. It has to do with him wanting to be the Alpha of the pack and that wasn’t acceptable to Lillie my mother-in-law.
Wednesday night while she was out in the back patio enjoying the evening with her two little dogs, Zeus apparently attacked one of the dogs. Knowing Zeus, he more than likely growled and snapped at the little nipper. But the damaged was done. I was in the house watching TV and wasn’t aware what was going on when someone let Zeus in and then not more than five minutes later, she came in and told me what happened.
I looked down at Zeus who laid on the floor over his blanket then I went back to watching TV. The fact that I didn’t do anything about it at 9 o’clock in the evening apparently spoke volumes to her and she yelled back, “Don’t nobody get off your butts to do anything about it!”
She left the house and then a moment later Stephanie went outside, following her and then Terry followed suit. I wasn’t part of the drama. I prefer the drama on the TV program I was watching than the drama playing out because of an old dog who only wanted to be part of the family and failed miserably.
The problem wasn’t Zeus but us humans who changed the rules on dog hierarchy. They are taught when they are pups about dominant/subordinate, and they follow that when they are part of a litter. But us humans changed that rule the moment they are adopted, and they must learn that they are no longer the alpha and must be in their hierarchy to obey them and not show any aggression to other dogs that in the dog world is proclaiming they are the alpha of the pack.
Zeus merely wanted to let the little dogs know his place in the pack was higher than theirs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work out that way. Yesterday we went about trying to figure out what to do. The last thing we could do, no one wanted to do, but it had to be done to keep the peace and harmony in our human pack. After all, Lillie is the alpha here. Stephanie found someone who could do it for us and this morning she took Zeus there. Vets we have found out from past experience, are more interested in treatment instead of final solution.
So, it is a long goodbye to a loyal and true friend. Goodbye Zeus.
Jerry Schellhammer 