Meet Zydrunas, my granddog.
Zydrunas's name is pronounced zih-DROO-niss, but you can call him Z. As is usual in our family, he has a lot of nicknames, too: BrownDog, Brown, Best Brown Dog, Bubba, and Big Brown are just a few of them. There is not a single person or pet that exists in our family who doesn't have a dozen or so nicknames. Your family may be the same.
His name comes from the Cleveland Cavaliers All Star center, now retired, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who both of my sons greatly admire.
Jared and Sam, who lived together in 2014, adopted him from the Cleveland kennel. They told them that he was already a year old, had been found wandering around a chemical plant, and was in very good health. Sam and Jared specifically chose a dog from the city kennel because they euthanize dogs after they've been there too long.
Here's a photo of Zydrunas on his Rescue Day.
That smile was the first of many in his new life. There cannot be a more joyful, more exuberant, more completely happy dog than this Big Brown Dog. Here he is right now, just so darn happy to be alive and with the people he loves.
When the boys stopped living together, Jared took full custody of Zydrunas. Then when Jared moved in with his new family, Sam took full custody. Throughout it all, they have co-parented Z and shared the costs associated with his care. Jared comes for visitation frequently, and Z can barely handle it. The zoomies are cataclysmic; nothing is safe.
Like many big and strong dogs, Zydrunas has no idea of his size, and he often climbs onto me for a Visit and a Cuddle. He is a 70-pound dog, and when on his hind legs, he is only about a foot shorter than I am. Still, when he wants Nance Time, he must have it. And because I am so completely and crazy in love with this dog, I am more than happy to oblige.
For Christmas this year, I got Sam an Embark Dog DNA kit (which he has yet to use) so that he can finally find out exactly what kind of dog Zydrunas is. We think he's probably part pitbull and part boxer. We don't really care; we're just curious. We love this dog no matter what he is.
Wouldn't you?
(Other posts about Zydrunas's early days are
here, and
here.)
Zydrunas wraps up the Alphabet Posts for me. We hope you have a restful week ahead.
He does seem to exude happiness from the pictures you shared! Kudos to you making it through the entire alphabet!
ReplyDeleteGigi--Z is happy and content. He loves his home, yard, porch furniture for naps, and visits to the lake for boating. He's living the dream.
DeleteI'm glad to be through the alphabet, but I know I'll miss the structure it gave me. Now I'm on the hook for topics completely.
He looks SO sweet!
ReplyDeleteI do love a pet with a good sports name.
I have CLAWED Giroux (Phila. Flyers Claude Giroux. My sister has a golden doodle named Carson (Carson Wentz formerly of the Eagles). My nephew has Chase Puply named for Chase Utley a former Phillies player. I sense a theme here. LOL
Dee--I love all your sporty pet names! So creative and also such nice names that are dignified for the animals, unlike some pet names (i.e. Blinky, Tippytoes, etc). Zydrunas is a happy and empathetic dog. Since he lives right down the street, I often go over whenever I need a shot of Joy. He's a great antidote for fussiness and crabbiness.
DeleteHe looks like such a happy boy and I absolutely love his name, of course his nicknames are very fitting too. People and pets around here all have a nickname or two as well. I can only imagine his zoomies when Jared comes to visit, and I can't wait to hear the results when Sam does his DNA. Have a great weekend Nance. :)
ReplyDeleteMartha--Zydrunas is a very sweet dog. He knows how powerful he is, and despite knocking me down with his greetings, he is always careful to tone it down when he plays with me.
DeleteI know you fall in love with your pets and have an affinity for animals as well. They are such an enrichment to our lives.
Hope you start over again with "A." You are the Sue Grafton of blogs! Long live Z.
ReplyDeleteYahoonski--I do the Alphabet Thing once in a while when I get sort of stuck and stale. I hope I won't have to haul it out anytime soon, but thanks for your enthusiasm for my attempts and my granddog. Much appreciated.
DeleteCongrats on making it all the way to Z! I look forward to your posts! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteEllen--Thanks for your kind words here. I'm ready to start freestyling topics again.
DeleteI have tears of joy looking at his happy face from the day he was rescued into your amazing family. What a lovely boy and I do think there is some boxer in him. (which is my favorite full bred dog, but rescue is really the top flavor for me) He's living his best life with very loving and responsible family members.
ReplyDeleteOur dogs all have so many nicknames too; they must think we are crazy. 😳
I loved your alphabet posts and this was the perfect way to end it.
Suz--Those boxers! I have an appreciation for them, too. They have such a distinctive overall look. Your late boxer was a stunning dog. I know he had a loving and full life with you.
DeleteIt really is silly how we use so many nicknames for our pets. It's a wonder any of them knows who the heck we're talking to. My big orange cat alone has about ten nicknames and it's ridiculous. It's always been a sickness in our family, starting with my father. Everyone in his life had odd nicknames--it was an Old Neighborhood/Eastern European Immigrant thing.
Thank you for the compliment regarding my journey through the alphabet. I appreciate your comments always.
I'm glad Z has two families looking out for him thus he will never lack for a home or become a rescue again. Dogs are truly wonderful additions to our lives. I still miss Levi.
ReplyDeleteJean--I can only imagine how much you still miss Levi The Mighty Schnauzer. He was not only your close companion and family member, but also your protector. (And probably a source of actual warmth, too.) He was a handsome gentleman with a lot of personality.
DeleteZ has so many good friends now. Sam has done a terrific job of socializing him to people, so he's become accepting of new people in his life. He's still a good watchdog and protector, however; nothing will ever get to his family without a fight.
What a happy boy! I love success stories about rescues. I just want to smother his squishy face with kisses.
ReplyDeleteNGS--Oh, he does have a squishy face. His head wrinkles are my favourite feature. When he is warm and lazy--which is incredibly often--his loose skin is like taffy.
DeleteZydrunas really is a successful rescue story. He is still very, very Other Dog Reactive, and that will never change. He has gone to school for intensive training, so he has very good manners, but he cannot abide other dogs. Since we have no idea what his first year of life was like, we accept that.
He's the perfect Z!
ReplyDeletekathy b--I was lucky for the last letter, wasn't I?
DeleteHe's a handsome fellow, and lucky in his masters. I am not adding 'mistress' because I get the definite impression that you are putty under his paw, and a soft touch for that hungry sad eye. As if.
ReplyDeleteYeah, dogs. Heart stealers. The YD lost her Shammy just before Christmas. She is being brave about it, but I really ache for her aching heart.
We play with the idea of getting another dog ourselves, but I figure that as soon as the daughter is back in Canada, another doodle will join us and we will be dog sitting once again.
The ED and I made up a book of photos of Shammy for her. There were a lot to choose from, when I started sorting. Not only am I a sucker for dogs, I am a inveterate dog photographer. The dog-in-snow photo alone could have made a book. Oh dear.
Mary--Oh, I think he's handsome, too. Gets me every time. I keep a jar of biscuits made for very small dogs so that I don't overdo it with him. They are teeny and ridiculous, but he loves them and looks forward to them.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Shammy. I well remember photos of him and a few tales of him as well. I refuse to even acknowledge that we will one day lose Zydrunas. I have never even truly thought of it.
Your photo book is a loving and thoughtful gift. I know just going through the pictures was a lovely flood of memories.
Our neighbors (and friends) recently moved to find a bigger home, having downsized too soon. They took their three dogs with them. I genuinely feel bereft. Being able to watch (and listen to) the antics of those three in the back yard was pure joy for me. They liked my biscuits, too.
Mr. Z IS PRECIOUS!!! The minute I saw him, I smiled.
ReplyDeleteAnni--Thank you! Of course, we think so, too. Whenever I need some Joy in my life, I know I can go get it from Z.
DeleteHe is just gorgeous!! I'm happy that he's living his best life and that he has plenty of people to love him.
ReplyDeleteBug--Thank you for the compliment, which I will pass on to Zydrunas and no doubt get a wide grin for. He is indeed very much loved by everyone.
DeleteWhat a darling boy he is. If you look in your spam filter somewhere, you may see the 3 times I tried to comment yesterday. Just delete them. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that your sons were clever enough to adopt such a wonderful dog. It speaks well of your parenting skills.
J--Oh, heck. I'm sorry that Blogger is being so difficult. Were you using an iPad, perhaps? I know it can sometimes be a problem for some reason.
DeleteThank you for so many nice compliments paid to Zydrunas, my sons, and Rick and me. Raising Z was not always easy, but he always tried so hard to be good (still does). As a Senior Dog, he's now just a bit more sedate, and his schooling has been a huge factor. So has his residing with Sam, who is more consistent and even-keeled than Jared.
He is a constant Joy in my life.
Indeed I was on my iPad. Perhaps I will remember that it can be a butthead sometimes, but likely I will forget.
DeleteYou note in a comment below that cats are much easier than dogs, dogs are worky. Absolutely true.
1. Mulder is a BARKER, which can be very annoying. But also I no longer wake up at night wondering if someone has broken in and I just can't hear them, so that's a good thing.
2. He wants a walk every morning, which is sometimes not really convenient. But actually that is why I wanted a dog...because it forces me to get out and have my daily walk. I sit on my butt for a living, so if I don't get out at the beginning of the day, it's not going to happen.
I agree that Z looks like a Pitt Bull/Bulldog mix. I'll be interested to see what the results say! I wonder if it is more precise than 23 and me? I did that several years ago, and my breakdown of nationalities changes somewhat as they get more people into their database.
J--I had no idea that your data could change as more people's information is added to the 23 & Me database. I wonder if that will become true for Embark, or if it's different because it's looking for breed markers. It's all terribly interesting.
DeleteZydrunas used to be a barker, but his classes (and Sam) taught him that he can just grumble instead. Once in a while, he has to get out some good barks just to reaffirm his dominance, like when someone dares to walk down our street or, if we're at the lake, another boat is on his lake. If that boat has a dog on it (THE NERVE! THE AUDACITY!), then he has to LET THEM KNOW IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THEY SHOULD BE ON THEIR WAY.
I'd love to be able to walk Zydrunas when I take my walk, but it's just not safe. His focus is so incredible that he is not safe for me to manage. I have already been dragged twice, face down, when a dog suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Luckily, both times, we were outside at the lake, and it was in the grass. Once I can get him to realize I'm there, he stops and runs back to me immediately contrite and concerned. He's just so powerful. Needless to say, I'm forbidden to take him alone, period.
Mulder is a handsome and fluffy dog. I'd love to hug him.
Mulder stayed with Ted's parents when we were in Hawaii, and he hardly barked at all. Only when he was bounding joyously around the back yard and there was a dog outside in the yard next door. Here, we live in a town home, and the sidewalk goes RIGHT PAST our living room window. He HATES it when people walk by, and finds it ESPECIALLY rude if they dare to speak while walking by. Between that and the mail/package delivery, he is always on duty. It makes me wish that we lived in a single family house, with a yard for some distance from the sidewalk. Trying to figure what that would cost around here gives me a headache.
DeleteI think you are wise to not walk Z. It doesn't sound safe at all. Mulder is MOSTLY good on our walks, though he did trip me once when he dashed in front of me suddenly to get at a cat. He didn't get the cat, but I fell hard and really hurt my knee. It was a month or two before it improved a lot. What helped it the most was stairs...we went to Paris and had to take a lot of stairs up and down to the Metro. So, clearly, if you are injured and in need of rehabilitation type exercises, the solution is a trip to Paris.
Mulder would be thrilled to have you hug him, though his preference is for tummy rubs.
Z is a good boy. What a smile and quite the model. I wonder what the test will reveal about his ancestry. That's sounds fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteAlly--His smile is contagious. I can't wait for the results of his DNA test. Sam is concerned about sending it out when we are so threatened with constant bad weather and storms. He worries it will get lost. So he wants to wait for a bit. I get it. As I said, it won't matter what he is, but it really is fascinating to us, too.
DeleteI love him more than I can say! The next time he is cuddling with you, please give him some kisses from me.
ReplyDeleteBridget--I'd be so happy to. And I'll tell him that they are from Bridget in Philadelphia. He'll listen carefully and do his best to understand.
DeleteI am not a dog person by any means...strictly a cat person...BUT, Z is such a love - what a wonderful grandchild/dog you have. I love that your sons share custody of him.
ReplyDeleteVera--For a personal pet, I vastly prefer cats and would not have a dog. They are too worky. One might as well have a toddler. But I adore other people's dogs and dogs in general. Thank you for your kind words about Z. We all adore him, and I'm proud of how Jared and Sam share his care.
DeleteI'm primarily a dog person so can appreciate the joy Z gives you and family. He's a handsome looking dog. Sounds like he has a great situation with both of your sons concerned for his welfare, plus the caring you're able to give him, too. I would love to have a dog again but realizing the care involved I know it's more of a commitment than I want to make now. Importantly to me, too, has been the recognition I might have to give up the dog which I don't want to experience again.
ReplyDeleteJoared--Thank you for the kind words about Z. I can imagine you'd love to have a pet, especially a dog since that's your preference, but you're wise to consider all the ramifications. The rewards of having a dog are vast, but the work is, too. It would be heartbreaking to have to give up a dog, no matter how wonderful the home it would be going on to. I feel lucky to be able to actively enjoy my granddog and other dog friends I've come to know.
DeleteZydrunas is so adorable! He is the perfect subject for Z for sure. I love that he has all those nicknames! I think that's a sign of how much everyone loves him. Numerous nicknames, sometimes evolving nicknames, are a way of showing love in my opinion. Especially with pets as one does not have to have their permission to bestow such nicknames. Haha but true.
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy day it was for him when he was rescued by your sons and then went on to experience life with Rick, Nance, and the rest of the expanding family! I am certain that he cherishes his Nance time as much as you cherish your time with him.
Dozer is at doggie day care today (just so he can play with abandon with other pups) and the house is sooo quiet (just like it used to be when Bo was young and he was out of the house). I was supposed to have some workers here today but that work was rescheduled at the last minute so now the house is ridiculously quiet and I'm trying to get in some good cleaning to make this time worthwhile.
Thanks so much for the A to Z series. I enjoyed it as I do all your posts! Hugs, kisses, and treats to Z for closing it out. ;-)
Shirley
Shirley--Thank you for all your kind words about Z and our family. When you come visit me, you can hang out with us all!
DeleteI'm trying to imagine Zydrunas at a doggy day care even for one moment. Impossible. He is so Other Dog Reactive that it would be a total fiasco. It's heartbreaking, too, because he could have a built-in friend named Oliver, another rescue pittie who Emily's parents adopted. They could be BFFs.
My house is very quiet every day, and I try very hard to get something done each day. Still, there are some days when I give myself a break and enjoy Being Retired. I hope you do, too. (Today, however, if I don't clean the ceiling fan blades, I won't be able to stand it any longer, nor myself, either.)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the (somewhat protracted) ABC series of posts. Who knows what will come up here next? I'm going to visit with Z today, so I'll be sure to give him some hugs and kisses from you and from Bridget among my own. XXOO