Zoe Goldbeck

August 18, 2016

We mourn the loss of our little Zoe, who passed into heaven today.
The number of people Zoe touched in her lifetime is truly amazing. For over ten years,
she came to the clinic with me and saw every patient I did. She never missed a day. I
have no doubt, that during that time, every single patient was much more excited to
see her than they were me. She worked on their mental well-being, while I helped
their physical issues. She gave every patient exactly what they needed. It might be a
happy greeting, such as the wagging of her curly tail or a smile with her tongue out.
Or, it might be just sitting next to them, leaning against their leg or wheelchair, so
they could touch her head to ease their anxiety. She knew exactly what each person
needed, and was happy to provide it. Although Zoe did not fit the typical mold of a
"helper dog", it is undeniable that she helped everyone feel better that came into
contact with her. She made my job exponentially easier, and Zoe was an integral part
of the PT clinic. There was nobody she could not win over with her huge personality.
The times people commented that it appeared like she would just start talking at any
minute are way too numerous to recall. She just had that way about her and could
"speak" to everyone. Those large expressive eyes could tell a patient how excited she
was to see them, or that she understood that this was very difficult, but that it would
be ok, and they would get better.
Zoe was welcomed (and encouraged) to come into the bank with me to do business,
as well as all of the schools I would visit. In the hallway chaos of students passing to
their next class, Zoe could often be seen prancing along just behind my heels, with her
ears back, concentrating on staying in step with me, wherever I was going. She was
not only Xcel's mascot, but she was the most important employee. She was even
known to come along when I reffed high school wrestling matches, where I would
bring her into the school in my duffle bag. All these years later, when those students
and athletes happen to stop by or check in, they always comment about how much fun
Zoe was to work with and be around. The activities themselves are long forgotten, but
her mark has been left on the world. Zoe will be remembered by everyone who knew
her.
Zoe also came to every one of Xcel's football camps, speed camps and training
events. No pug has ever run harder, faster or longer than Zoe. She ran faster than any
athlete we ever trained, and was always willing to set the pace for them and give them
something to aspire to. We went on five mile jogs, did sprints in the hot summer and
ran on the beach. She never shied away from any type of physical activity, and had the
stamina of bigger dogs who were bred to be sheep herders. Zoe never realized that
she wasn't made for those things; she just decided she would do anything she wanted
to, and anything I asked her to. She packed as much life into that little body as possible, and as much as it would take. Like so many great athletes who came before
her, her star shown so brightly that we wished it would last forever. In the end, her
body began to show the physical signs that are unavoidable, and that no one can
escape. It was simply her time.
Since Tanner was born six years ago, Zoe has also been the best big sister that he
could ask for. She was infinitely patient with him, as he learned how to pet her and be
gentle around animals. It is because of her that he stops anyone with a dog (no matter
where we are) and asks "Is it ok if I pet your dog?". While petting their dog, he
excitedly tells them all about Zoe and what she is like. When Zoe was home, she was
all about family. There were many naps to be taken and cuddling to be done during
movies. Zoe even stopped sleeping in our bed, so she could sleep with Tanner. To see
her and Tanner snuggled up next to each other was some special sight each morning.
When Zoe stopped being able to come to the clinic, she also was able to spend much
more time with Jodi. She laid in Jodi's office while she worked, or outside while she
read. She would follow Jodi around the yard as she worked in the flower beds, content
to move from one spot in the sun to another. Zoe loved relaxing anywhere with Jodi
and just enjoying the quietness of life. Nobody else, except Jodi (not even me), has
ever been able to pick up Zoe and hold her like a baby, belly up. Every time Jodi did
that, and pulled Zoe's face close to hers, you could see in Zoe's eyes the love that only
a Mommy can get. Zoe loved her family so much.
For my birthday one year, Zoe gave me a card that summed up our relationship. It
says, "Wherever you are is where I like to be" . Her little bed sat in the passenger seat
of my van for so long, and she was my copilot for so many rides, that I'm sure I will
glance over to that now empty seat many times in the future, expecting her to be
looking up at me, waiting anxiously to get to our next adventure. I'm hoping she finds
some time in heaven to look down on us occasionally and see what we are doing.
Knowing her, she is probably telling all the tales of her great achievements to the
other little dogs in heaven, trying to motivate them to be more than they think they
are capable of. Either that, or she is challenging all the big dogs to races (and beating
them!) just to prove you can do anything, no matter what size you are.Words cannot
describe how much I loved being her Daddy.Todd Goldbeck