Grizz died during the night peacefully in his sleep. Over the last two weeks Grizz had less of an appetite but no obvious signs of illness. He continued to amble around the property, nap and spend time with his human and dog family even on his last day. Last night he walked away from the house and laid down under a full moon, surrounded by pinon trees and mountains and fell asleep forever. Today he was cremated with a picture of his family and flowers from our driveway.
Grizz was adopted from the Ark-Valley Humane Society in the spring of 2007. He was about 8 years old when we took him home. His teeth were worn most likely from years of chewing on fencing and his back end was weak due to nerve degeneration. We know that in the six months before we adopted him he had been at the Leadville Animal Shelter and three homes. He had been bounced from home to home because of destructive behavior and was unable to adjust to living in a kennel while at the shelter.
After we brought him home, he let us know right away that even though he weighed 130 pounds and was covered in thick fur he, in no uncertain terms, was only happy as an inside family dog. Fortunately his calm presence gained him acceptance from the other dogs in our pack. Although he occasionally ate books, he was never destructive or anxious as long as he could come and go from the house as he pleased. He would sleep along the fence whenever we drove away so that he could greet us with a raised head and perky ears upon our return.
Grizz made friends wherever he went and we know that there are many people who loved him and will be touched by his death. I'd like to think his spirit energy is running with his ancestral pack, wolves and dogs alike, as wind through the mountains. I know in my heart that he is eternally at peace.
