My Heart

Zaccheus Marquez

September 10, 2007 - December 27, 2010

Zacc lived only three short years. I expected to grow old with him and have him go deaf and blind before I had to say good bye. But alas, life is often full of detours. I had to say good-bye this morning and my heart is pretty achey.

He stole my heart with his "milk-it-for-what-it's-worth" eyes. I had a written and well developed plan on how I was going to get a Westie and ended up meeting Zacc, the runt of the miniature poodle litter. He was a timid little thing with the perfectly crooked teeth and an eye that would sometimes float the opposite direction he wanted it to. I couldn't walk away from him. I literally teared up and said - "I can't leave him there. I want to make him happy."

From the time we was itty bitty, he would say hello belly up...begging to be loved on. I loved that about him. You couldn't sit down without him sitting beside you and rolling over. He wanted for you to pet him - even with your foot.

I'm seriously so sad. I cannot believe how short his life was. I can't believe that he was healthy one day and completely helpless the next. There's nothing that I could've done differently....

So - the story begins sort how it started. I cry wanting what is best for my little Zaccheus. What was best this time was saying good-bye.

A Free Saturday

Today I had nothing planned, except to get my inspection sticker that was four months overdue. I know...embarrassing! But I've gotta say that my car, Pearl, although I love her...I can't stand her. She is expensive!! And I can't stand the dealership either. I didn't go there today, but finding out that I have no other choice but to go very soon makes me want to punch them (the VW dealership) in the face!! I think I've mentioned all this before.

So I say this with all sincerity - Say HECK NO to Volkswagen!
But I do encourage you to say yes to other things like:

• Super cute Poodles that get so hyped when they get to go for a ride!! (notice they aren't in the ridiculous booster seat I bought last year for safety! ;o) )

• Say YES when your friend, who is practically your sister, invites you to Crave & Starbucks!

• Then move the party to the Apple store where you get "Macs"! ;o)

• And finally, say yes looking for the lost opportunities left at the Apple store!

I love days like today! They are RE-energizing!

Saying Hello To The New!

This week our newest family member came home. His official name, in my opinion, is Chandler Copper Chase Marquez (all the names we debated). However, he is not MY dog and I've had to relinquish my desire to keep the name Chandler in existence and let the rightful owner (my dad) name him whatever he chose. So, Copper...Copper it is. :o)

We are all very happy he's home. Zacc is so happy to have a playmate and loves his new role as "pack leader." Zacc's personality changed so much - it's WEIRD!

So here he is....Mr. Chandler Copper Chase Marquez!

The day we met the TRIPLE C!


The day we picked him up to take him home!

My gramma was really happy to meet him.

His first bath

The Copper Fro!

Before and After

As promised, before and after pictures of Zacc. I prefer him all fluffly and cute, but I realize that I let it grow WAY too long. Poor little guy!

When Mimi Met Zacc…

Growing up (High School & College), I always said that I would never ever in a million years have my own dog. They make a mess. You have to be on their tail constantly. If they’re puppies they’ll chew up your shoes and who knows what else. They pee. They poop. And not always outside. I thought I would never get one because we’ve always had one and honestly, I would get annoyed with our pets sometimes.

For whatever reason, in 2007 I started getting an itch. I didn’t only want a dog, I NEEDED one. I started saving money and made a list of requirements. Male, puppy (so we can grow old together), cute, white, perfect eyes, perfectly straight teeth, go to a breeder and pick almost a show dog (but not, because he was going to be mine and I’m definitely not going to go through the show business). Yes, the West Highland Terrier is what I had in mind. And I was being a TOTAL snob about it.

Then enter my brother's invitation to go to the pet shop at the mall on CHRISTMAS EVE of 2007! HOLY CRAP. Throw the saving idea out the window. Throw out the minor detail of the Westie and meet this seriously depressed looking Miniature Poodle. Add to that a request to hold the puppy and he fit perfectly into your arms…

I was determined that this was not the right time. I hadn’t even been saving for very long (or really not at all, specifically for this dog), this is definitely NOT a Westie nor are we at a breeder!! So, I gave him back and walked out. I don’t think I got 20 feet from the store when I realized that I could not live without this white puppy with the biggest eyes and the most crooked teeth and uber short legs. I couldn’t leave him there. I had to take him home and make him happy. So I went back and bought him. He came home with me and we celebrated Christmas together.

On his first Christmas, Zacc received rag quilt (perfect for his size), a little teddy bear, a hilarious jacket from my cousin, a home, and a name – Zaccheus.

Have you ever heard the story in the Bible of a Man named Zaccheus? Briefly, he was a tax collector. Wasn’t well liked. He was really short. When Jesus came to his town, Zaccheus climbed a tree so he could get a view of Jesus. Yes – he was very short. He was a wee little man. And since this little guy is a wee little dog, I named him Zaccheus.

Fast forward to April 2009. Zacc needs to be groomed. He’s not too bad, but he definitely needs a haircut. Our groomer ends up with tennis elbow and says - Sorry bout it. And I think - DANG IT! I REALLY LIKE YOU! April through June is like the busy season of the year for me. And now it’s practically JULY and Zacc could officially pass for a homeless dog! You can’t see the eyes that melted my heart. And EVERYONE thinks he’s overweight. However, he’s far from it -weighing a healthy 11 pounds! ;o)

Last week, I took some time off to help my mom with Vacation Bible School at my parents church and I thought, “WHAT A PERFECT CHANCE TO GET ZACC GROOMED AND UP TO DATE!” So, we stop by the vet on Thurs and schedule a Friday 8 am appointment at this not so great place. Before I leave the house I take a before picture of Zacc, excited to see what he’ll look like when I pick him up. When I get to this not so great place (15 minutes early in case I need to fill out any paper work for Zacc) I find out that the manager of this place forgot her keys at home! I stayed calm and politely declined to leave my dog with a random person and waited for this irresponsible manager. She gets there at 8:16 am laughing her tail off saying she can’t find her keys. Have I mentioned that this place OPENS at 7 AM? So it’s 1.25 hours past open time and the shop is STILL CLOSED! I asked for a corporate number to file a complaint and left. There was no way they are EVER putting their hands on my dog.

I tried again on Saturday at another grooming center and seriously went out of my way for it. And when I get there they tell me that the vaccinations need to be at least 48 hours prior to the appointment. That was information they could have shared over the phone!

Now it’s Monday, and Zaccheus still looks like this:

I finally got an appointment for Zacc on Wednesday at a place my friend recommended. It makes me a little nervous, perhaps not as nervous as a mother leaving her child at preschool, but I’m nervous. I liked Zacc’s old groomer.

I’ve been wondering all week, what did I get myself into? I love my dog and wouldn’t give him up now. I just didn’t know it was going to be this complicated. It had been so “easy” - Minus the peeing inside the house phase he went through. We're doing good though....doing real good. I'll post the after picture on Wednesday! (I hope to anyway...)

Zacc's Ponytail

Here's a picture of Zaccheus that warms my heart!


It's hilarious isn't it?! ha ha ha! Aw, look at the little puppy!

Followthrough #1 - The Table

Okay, I made a promise. And I'm keeping it. Here's Promise #1: The Craft Room Table.

View A: When you walk in, you see the full effect of the table when in use. Look at Zaccheus trying to steal the show. (yeah, still no flooring. don't hate.)

View B: The Birdseye view. Ooohhh, look at how nice it is!!!!
View C: Looking up. This is the signature of authenticity. It was hand made. Yeah. Impressive, right?

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So, I'm totally excited because I have a finalized vision for this room. Those curtains are going BYE BYE! I'm in search of the perfect BLACK curtains.
The room will consist of these colors:

• BLACK
• White (and variations of...)
• Silver (accents)
• Brown (wood - the chairs, table, and old school desk)

These colors don't seem like the likely combination, but ooooh JUST you wait. I can't!!!

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Just cause, I want to show you the old school desk - or the reading corner.
On the chair, I have a blanket that I crocheted and a little blankie my grandmother made for me. To the side of the chair I have a basket full of my favorite magazines EVER! And I want to get rid of the thing beside the basket, but I haven't decided I'm ready to let go yet.

Home. REALLY SWEET SWEET HOME!

I'm finally home. It's a reason to celebrate. My schedule will now be SANE! I went to DC this past week. It was as I imagined...busy with little sleep. It was good though - really good. I know...Perhaps I should elaborate.

1. We were SUPER prepared. It seemed as though, no - more like we WERE really behind! And then, we ended up ahead of schedule. We didn't have to come in for Memorial Day weekend if we didn't want to (no that's not exactly true), but I went ahead to get one of my least favorite tasks out of the way.
2. We had a great turn out at the meeting and have had great results to our ASK on the Hill.
3. We were pretty much packed up the day before we were scheduled to pack...which made it an even breezier packing day in DC.
   
4. I slept well...except for 2 nights. I know I just said little sleep...but sleeping well is different from the amount of time you get...make sense?
   
5. Three of us went for a walk to the Jefferson Memorial the day of our departure early one morning.
6. The WEATHER was amazing...except for on our closing dinner cruise down the patomac...and when Jennifer had to go on a Staples Run (then it was not so great).
7. (edit**adding number 7) Okay - So I have a new favorite restaurant. OMG! Seriously amazing!!! Go to Ceiba! You won't regret it.
   

Why home is so sweet:

1. Zaccheus. OMG. So adorable. I ♥ him!
   
2. Hugs from people I love from the bottom of my heart...and they love me too.
   
3. My pillow and my bed.
4. No pressure...sanctuary.
5. Church - I miss it.
6. OMG I could go through the list of my possessions. My theory is what you have should be your favorite {fill in the blank} . And I have lots and lots of favorites...and I get all giddy and happy when I get to see these favorite things!
   

You know what's sad...my basil didn't make it. I was away for a week and my basil is DEAD! This is try number 2. What haunts me is that STUPID STUPID movie: 28 days. In that movie someone says that if you can't keep a pet or a plant alive then you aren't ready for a relationship. Pretty sure that if my family wasn't able to help me care for Zaccheus that poor dog would be a bone.

Enough...This is so random and it has no structure really...I'm just happy to be home.

Diversion #2

Have I ever told you how much I love my Zaccheus? I think I've only mentioned him that time when I first got him. He's grown quite a bit. I like him best when he's got big hair. BIG TEXAS HAIR. Going on a walk with him is hilarious. He's a scardy cat. He'll walk out of the door all happy and a stranger walks past and he'll hide behind my legs.

Here's a picture my brother sent to me. I wonder if he knew I was missing him today - him being ZACCHEUS of course!