03/09: Memories
Category: General
Posted by: The Agnew Family
It's been a week since Zaph left us. We miss him terribly and will forever but as the days go by it gets a little easier. Ed and I went away for a few days and ended up at our neighbour's cottage. On the Friday the four of us went for a drive and came upon a nature area that had a lake that was large enough for boats so it had a launch ramp and a dock. On the dock was a three or four year old golden retriever wearing a purple collar (Zaph's collar was purple). The dog was having a great time jumping off the dock to fetch a ball. Instead of making us sad, this brought back many happy memories of Zaph doing exactly the same thing. I thought I would share some of those memories here.
The breeder let us visit a few times before we brought Zaph home. Here he is 4 weeks old. In the photo on the right Zaph is just over 2 months old. Hard to imagine our big guy being so little.
At 5 months he perfected getting 2 balls in his month at the same time. Over the years the game of fetch the ball became the game of fetch 2 balls. You had to throw 2 balls. Then Zaph would run and pick up the first then the 2nd one and bring both balls back to you at the same time.
Another photo of Zaph at 5 months. He always loved the snow.
First family photo, January 2001. Zaph learned to respect cats at an early age. Somehow he lived through dragging the cat by the tail across the ceramic floor. He only did it once.
Zaph loved the water, especially jumping off docks to fetch a ball.
Actually he loved all kinds of balls and was happy chasing or catching them.
Loving racing through the water.
Our Gollilocks testing the Three Bears chairs.
Zaph was a curious fellow, he always had to see what I was looking at.
He only managed to do it a couple of times but here's proof that Zaph could stuff three balls into his mouth. He did it all on his own, no help from mom or dad.
Canoing, riding in the zodiak or a power boat --- he loved them all as long as he was with us.
Zaph was good at making friends.
even with scary looking dudes.
Zaph loved his dad even when dad was a hairy beast.
and especially when they snuggled on the bed.
Zaph loved to pose for photos even if hats were involved. He tolerated a lot.
Now backpacks were a different story. He tolerated wearing the pack but if we met someone on the trail he would start to fuss as if to say "tell my mom and dad to take this stupid thing off me".
Sometimes the dare devil.
always a beach bum
Zaph loved to be in the center of things especially when he was in the way.
The breeder let us visit a few times before we brought Zaph home. Here he is 4 weeks old. In the photo on the right Zaph is just over 2 months old. Hard to imagine our big guy being so little.
At 5 months he perfected getting 2 balls in his month at the same time. Over the years the game of fetch the ball became the game of fetch 2 balls. You had to throw 2 balls. Then Zaph would run and pick up the first then the 2nd one and bring both balls back to you at the same time.
Another photo of Zaph at 5 months. He always loved the snow.
First family photo, January 2001. Zaph learned to respect cats at an early age. Somehow he lived through dragging the cat by the tail across the ceramic floor. He only did it once.
Zaph loved the water, especially jumping off docks to fetch a ball.
Actually he loved all kinds of balls and was happy chasing or catching them.
Loving racing through the water.
Our Gollilocks testing the Three Bears chairs.
Zaph was a curious fellow, he always had to see what I was looking at.
He only managed to do it a couple of times but here's proof that Zaph could stuff three balls into his mouth. He did it all on his own, no help from mom or dad.
Canoing, riding in the zodiak or a power boat --- he loved them all as long as he was with us.
Zaph was good at making friends.
even with scary looking dudes.
Zaph loved his dad even when dad was a hairy beast.
and especially when they snuggled on the bed.
Zaph loved to pose for photos even if hats were involved. He tolerated a lot.
Now backpacks were a different story. He tolerated wearing the pack but if we met someone on the trail he would start to fuss as if to say "tell my mom and dad to take this stupid thing off me".
Sometimes the dare devil.
always a beach bum
Zaph loved to be in the center of things especially when he was in the way.