I bought Zeus 9 months ago, hoping he would be a good fit for our family. The Havanese breed comes with raving reviews as the perfect dog for a family and children but what really convinced me was that this breed was one of the best for allergies and asthma. Ryan had to use steroids twice in the 9 months because of difficulty breathing and his inhalers not being strong enough. He did fine during the week while at school but had a harder time on the weekends. And the two week Christmas break didn’t help things. We finally decided it was time to find a new home for Zeus. It took several months for me to finally be able to place the ad. Zeus was my little shadow. This breed is known to be a“velcro dog”. Following my every move. He was always under my feet and I had to watch where I was stepping so I didn’t step right on him. If he wasn’t right next to me then I knew he was up to trouble. House training was not his strength. Marking his territory (or anything on the floor that wasn’t carpet) was. I finally placed the ad and let Gavin screen the calls. The ad had only been on the website for two days when we got the call. Someone was very excited to buy him and during the phone conversation they figured out that they were the original owners of this dog who sold him to us in April. He was out of his apartment and in a better position to own a dog. Knowing that Zeus was going to someone who already loved and knew him made it so much easier. Not that there haven’t been a few tears shed. But it’s nice to know he’s with his original owner.
Hadley loved Zeus and had the hardest time with letting him go. She had one request. To give Zeus a bath. She had wanted to bathe him the entire 9 months and always chose the craziest times to ask. Usually on a really busy day when we had no free time. “Mom, can I give Zeus a bath today?” Bathing Zeus was at least an hour ordeal. He had to be brushed before and after the bath because he had such fine hair that it matted all over if we didn’t. He was very overdue for a bath and Hadley got to give him a bath a few days before we sold him.
This was his favorite spot. Right next to my feet by the computer chair.
He slept in a kennel at night in our laundry room. Everyone fought over who got to let him out of his kennel in the morning. It was usually Morgan. She would come into my bedroom every morning and whisper, “Mom, can I let Zeus out?” Zeus didn’t really like Morgan. She didn’t know how to be soft with him and had spent the last 9 months torturing him. She liked to open the door to the kennel and then try to pick him up (which he hated) or block him from getting out. Morgan knew he was going to a new home but forgot he was gone that first morning and came into my room and asked. She was so sad when I told her Zeus was gone to his new home. I think she was hoping he had just gone away for the day.
Hadley spoiled Zeus for Christmas and got him a cute little Santa suit that he wore and some dog toys. His favorite was his toy fox that Santa brought him. He loved to play fetch, tug-of-war and chew on it to make it squeek over and over. I'm bummed that we never got video of him singing along to Hadley’s piano practicing. Whenever she started to practice, he would run into the living room and sit right next to her doing his best howling. Funny. For a minute.
He loved riding in the car with me. He would try to sneak out every time he saw me grab my keys. Most car rides ended up at my parents’ house and he loved playing with their two dogs and hanging out by the pool while we swam.
We met the new (previous) owner at The Gateway to make the trade. Zeus seemed a little hesitant to leave his old family behind. I think he kinda liked us. Us meaning everyone but Gavin and Jack. I’m positive he didn’t like them. He barked and barked at both of them whenever they walked into the room.
I’m still adjusting to not having my little buddy with me, sitting by my feet while I blog, following me to the bathroom, watching me fold clothes (hoping to get his scent on all of my freshly folded piles), walking out with me to check the mail, waiting patiently while I got ready every morning. I can see how a dog can quickly become an important part of a family. I texted his new owner several times that first day and it sounded like Zeus was doing well. He said we could visit him one day if we wanted. Hadley is excited about being able to see him again and I told her we could go in about a month, give him some time to adjust to his new family. And to give us some time to plan the hour drive to his new home.
