Zoey, Zoey, Zoey…

I’m still sick. No change there. Regardless, I got up as I usually would. I stick to my usual routine… coffee, take care of the pets, pick up around the house a little, check emails, etc. (I’d better take some cough syrup.) I’m ready for my day.


So, the coughing begins. It starts out as a tiny little tickle at the back of my throat. Before I know it, it becomes what can only be described as an all out thirty minute coughing frenzy by the time it is over. I’m going back and forth from being hunched over hacking out a lung to pacing the floor. The dogs and cats have no idea what’s going on. They’re all overly concerned.


Rex is in my face. Hunter’s constantly under my feet. Every cat and dog in the house thinks I’m dying. Heck, I think I’m dying! No, I’m fine. I just need more cough syrup! Cough drops! What happened to my cough drops!?! More coughing. More pacing. Maybe my inhaler. Crap! Where! Oh, upstairs. More coughing (continuous coughing). All animals following (because I might be dying) all the way upstairs and then back downstairs. More (just a sip) cough syrup. I continue my coughing for quite some time after just sitting on the couch surrounded by my pets.


After taking a wee bit more cough syrup than was necessary, I ended up falling asleep in the upright position on the couch. I woke up with my pets still around me. Zoey was in my lap. Rex and Hunter were on the floor by my feet. Fleur was lying next to me on the couch. Phoebe, Rory, and Prada were all close by.


My mind went to Zoey. Oh, my little Zoey, Zoey, Zoey….


We’ve had Zoey, our long-haired miniature chihuahua, for going on four years now. The two of us haven’t always been the best of friends. You see, she was given to us after a family member on my husband’s side passed away. Her name was Pat and she loved her little dogs.


Pat was a nice person, both to me and to my family. I loved Pat. I cared about Pat. I knew her from family, from church, and from the neighborhood. My kids trick-or-treated at her house pretty much every year. We had both lived in the same small town. My family loves Zoey (and Marvin… a story for another day). We are happy we brought her into our family.


Zoey and Caleb, my son, instantly had a connection. However, Zoey and I haven’t always been able to see eye to eye with each other. Zoey does what she wants, when she wants, where she wants. Unfortunately that even includes her potty habits… poop and pee. So, yes, we tend to disagree with each other a lot. I’ll admit that she’s grown on me. She’s learning, albeit in baby step fashion. I’ll take what I can get.


This is Zoey’s sad story… Pat had five dogs when she died. She had COPD. One night, she was having trouble breathing and dialed 911. The ambulance unfortunately didn’t make it there in time to save her. The hospital was too far away. Pat didn’t make it.


When the ambulance arrived at Pat’s house, all of her dogs were lying on her or around her. Such an honorable thing! How beautiful was their love for Pat! They were with her until the end. They were trying to comfort her. They wanted to help her if only they could. That’s love. Real love.


So, now back to my little story. I woke up a few hours later. I’m sitting upright on the couch, surrounded by pets, Zoey’s in my lap. The cough syrup has done it’s job. I get a call from Stephen. I tell him what happened. It goes like this…


“Oh my word, Babe… I just woke up on the couch. I fell asleep sitting upright! I never do that! When I woke up Zoey was curled up in my lap! I was like, what the heck!?! She never usually does that! It made me feel bad! I’m not dying girl! I’m going to start coughing again because I’m getting myself worked up.”


***For the record I was worked up and happy to know that she loves me and cares about my well-being. However, it made me sad to wonder if she was thinking about Pat or what happened to Pat when she died. You never really know what animals are thinking.


***Also, for the record. Zoey and I have compromised on the potty issues. So far, she will go outside to poop and pee with the other dogs… unless she doesn’t feel like it. If it’s raining, if it’s too cold, if there are fireworks, or if there are any other loud noises then you can forget about her cooperation. She will only go out if the other dogs go out with her… and only if she feels like it. (It’s a work in progress. 😉)


***Lastly, I have nothing but respect and love for Pat, Zoey, Marvin, and her other little dogs. May my friend, Pat, Rest In Peace knowing that she was truly loved.❤️

⭐️ Zoey, Looking Like a Movie Star ⭐️