ZACHARY THOMAS WILLOUGHBY

When we were located in Southlake, there was an old sale barn around the corner of SH-114 & White Chapel Rd.  There was also a flea market on the property adjacent to the sale barn where vendors would bring their wares every Monday and Tuesday.  They also brought the animals they no longer wanted and when they departed on Tuesday evening, there were usually several of these stray animals left to fend for themselves.  Such was our Willoughby.  He was but a puppy, maybe seven or eight months old and absolutely scared to death.  He would have no part of anyone so I set a humane trap and caught him quite easily.  Upon examination by a vet, we found he had an injury to a back leg that appeared to be a break that had not healed properly so we cast it hoping it would correct itself.  After all was said and done, it didn’t help much and he always had this misshapen back leg but it didn’t give him any pain until he was much older and the weather was damp. 

Willoughby never did warm up to people so he lived his life with us.  He would only allow me to do things like clip his toenails or bathe him.  He always got along with other animals but became a bit contrary toward the end of his life. 

When it became obvious that Willoughby’s quality of life was no longer what it should be, I had to make that decision that everyone dreads.  The decision to allow him to cross peacefully.  I had given him the best I could give him for thirteen years and I had to see him safely to the Rainbow Bridge.  It was a decision I’ll never regret.  He lived well, loved and was loved.  He is missed.

His Momdog,

Carole