Remembering Zorba--the greatest dog on this earth

ZORBA
2002-2009

What can I tell you about the greatest dog on this earth. I could write volumes about Zorba till my fingers gave out. He was a very special dog--from the moment we met him--till the very end when we said our goodbyes.

I chose Zorba as a birthday gift for my brother Nicky.  An English breed black Labrador Retriever. You know, the stocky ones with the block head and otter tail.  He had the most luxurious shiny coat you ever saw.  He was so handsome. Both of his parents were show dogs.

The weekend I chose him, he slept with me because he was a small puppy--3 months old, born on September 30, 2002 on Cape Cod.  Driving back from the Cape, Zorba sat on my lap.  Now picture this, a dog on your lap and you are driving one hour to Braintree. But that was OK.

When I presented him to Nicky--I told him to hold out his arms and close his eyes. I put Zorba in his arms and said, "Happy Birthday." It was love at first sight for these two. We were often told to breed him, we didn't. But that was OK.

As a pup, he ait the kitchen table legs and chairs--we have one chair left (with bite marks still on it). But that was OK.

As a pup he ate the underside of the cabinets in the kitchen. But you know, that was OK too.

The beautiful, shiny wide pine floors at the Cape house have scratches galore. But that was OK.

His shedding was bountiful with the vacuum out every day. But that was OK.

He knew only 3 tricks--give me your left paw, give me your right paw and lay down--nothing else. But that was OK.

Zorba liked any person he met or any dog he came across. Always with a wag of his tail and wanting to play, he would get so excited.

There was never a growl out of him. There was a lot of barking though--barking at anyone who passed by our home--after all, it was HIS home they were passing by.

He barked when anyone came to the door (he was our additional security system personified). After making sure they were "OK" by his standards, he would long for a pat on his head and a "cookie" then he was by your side for your entire visit. That was OK.

He barked at our mailman--but once our mailman put his hand out to him--they became fast friends.

He loved to go for walks, be it a 5 am or in the evening. Nicky would say "go get your leash"--Zorba would be so excited--he ran around in circles waiting to go out. On his walks, he sniffed every single tree in the Town of Centerville. He knew when to turn the corner to continue his walk onto the next street. I enjoyed watching him walk in front of me--he was like a thoroughbred horse, prancing gracefully. A real beauty to watch.

He loved wearing his bandannas--and we had one in every color--even a Harley Davidson one. He loved being groomed--and his groomer Rene loved seeing him and always fit him in--even on short notice.

He loved baby carrots and dog cookies.

He loved his cat pal "Harley" who took him under his wing when he was just a puppy. They ended up sleeping curled up with each other every night. He accepted his new cat pal "Zeus". Zorba, Harley and Zeus all played together. When the two cats were having fights with each other, Zorba would saunter over slowly and stand between them--breaking up the fight.  Both Harley and Zeus loved Zorba. They had a habit of going over and putting their heads under Zorba's chin, then nose to nose--this huge dog and these small cats--pals forever. And that was OK.

Zorba followed you everywhere you went. He did not want to be in a room alone so he followed you into the bathroom and laid on the floor till you left, he followed you on the deck, or he'd follow you upstairs. He sat next to you on the couch making sure half of him was sitting on your lap (Zorba weighed in at 83 lbs. of muscle), you were his. And that was certainly OK.

Zorba loved riding in my convertible with the top down. On the road or highway, he would stand on the middle console with his head above the windshield taking in the scenery.  His ears flying behind him and actually "looking" at the people we would pass. Some people waved to him and beeped their horn as they were laughing and pointing. That was so OK.

Weekends at the Cape, he slept with me. Waiting till I got in bed, he would then jump up and sleep at the foot area. Oh, by the way, he did snore some nights. But that was OK.

They say Labrador Retrievers are water dogs. Well, Zorba would walk Craigville Beach but not go in the water. But that was OK.

They say Labrador Retrievers retrieve. Well, Zorba didn't feel the need, he had everything brought to him. But again, that was OK.

Zorba was a very healthy dog till about four weeks ago. He began to feel tired. We brought him in to the vet, they said he was OK--just an ear infection.

We had a birthday party for my brother Nicky on July 12- Zobra, of course, was happy to see our friends and family there. He licked a 6 month old's hand as she put it out for him and played with a 1 1/2-year-old toddler (or tried to run away from him). He celebrated with Nicky on his birthday. Don't forget--he was a birthday gift to Nicky 6 1/2 years ago. And that was OK.

But on July 17, 2009 Zorba went to sleep never to open those big, beautiful, brown eyes again. We were there with him, as he had been there for us. He was almost 7-years-old. Much too young for a dog, who was a very important part of our lives, to leave. He was a beloved member of our family and we will miss him terribly. But that is not OK.

- Demi