Zachary was on this earth far too short a time, but he was a gift each moment he was here. He came to me as a puppy and had been labeled a cockapoo, although I questioned if that was his true mix.  From our first moment together, we were inseparable.  He went everywhere with me and was a regular passenger in the car. He accompanied me on two 1500 mile trips and he made friends all along the way.

Zach was very intelligent. This trait, coupled with his bond with me, made him the perfect obedience dog. Zach was my introduction to obedience and I couldn't have had a better teacher.  He placed first in his class and brought smiles and applause from all who watched him happily heeling alongside me with a big smile on his face.

I adored my Zach and I looked forward to many years together. I couldn't imagine not having this sweet boy by my side. But when he was only three and a half, he died very suddenly.  One moment he was happily playing in the house and the next minute he had a seizure and was gone.

Zach's premature and sudden loss was devastating. When I could think clearly again, I knew that this truly exceptional dog was so exceptional in part because his time here was meant to be brief. Which also explained the amazing bond we had. We were meant to pack a lifetime of love into a few short years...and we did just that.