A Eulogy for Sozo

5 years.  That's a short time.  5 years.  That's a long time.  5 years.  It wasn't long enough.  For those unaware, we lost Sozo this weekend but more accurately, we lost a piece of ourselves.  Please join me in looking back at her beautiful time with us.

Sozo ???? - 2016

In November, 2011, our neighbors across the street moved out.  Since we moved in, we always noticed, and heard, their neglected dog.  She was confined to a cement area on the side of their house most of the time.  It was no bigger than your bathroom.  These weren't good people.

They moved on November 5th, 2011.  The gate was left open and they drove away.  I discovered they left this dog behind, free to wander the streets.  But she didn't.  She stayed in their yard, waiting for them to return.  But they didn't.  On November 6th, 2011, I went across the street, late at night, with a frozen pork chop. I needed to give her food to eat.  I was scared, knowing she had been abused, but she didn't deserve starvation.

I approached with caution, low to the ground, speaking in a calm voice.  She gently took the pork chop from my hand and allowed me to pet her while she chewed on it.  She then gleefully followed me across the street and we provided our garage, some bedding, water and food.  We were taking on the responsibility of finding her a home.  The photo above was taken the next day and we posted to all of our various social media accounts.  We were calling her "Nicely Nicely".  A silly "Guys & Dolls" reference.

We could find no takers.  We couldn't possibly keep her because our indoor dog did not get along with her.  Except that we could.  She could be an outdoor dog.  She was used to that except that here she would have a large yard to play in, plenty of food and water, and a warm garage to sleep in at night.  Could we do this?  Keep two dogs?  We certainly weren't going to abandon her like her previous owners.

It's decided but she needs a name.  A forever name for her forever home.  I wish I could tell you how we even discovered "Sozo".  I just know what it means.  It is a Greek word that translates to "Found Soul" but the actual definition is:

1.  to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction one (from injury or peril)

a.  to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health

b.  to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

Perfect, right?

Over the next 5 years, she'd move with us to a better house with a better yard where we would regularly hold parties with her, barbecue with her, enjoy a glass of wine with her, or simply just sit with her.  She had this adorable crooked smile.  She had this flop she would do where she would throw herself at your feet offering her belly.  She loved swimming in her pool.  She enjoyed occasional table scraps and chasing squirrels.  She loved running countless laps around the yard.  She was a lean-mean-fighting-machine.  She had the heart of an angel.  Even the Mail Lady liked her.  She had old eyes that had been through tragedy but that glistened with joy.  She showed us daily that she was grateful for us.  She showed us that she was happier now than ever before.

Her illness was sudden and rapid and I like to think we did everything we could to make her end as happy as those 5 years.

5 years.

It wasn't long enough.

5 years.

She may have been our "Found Soul" but rest assured, she is the one that rescued us.