Zeppelin came into my life as a four-six week old hatchling. My very first memory of her is her sitting in my hand, tilting her head, and opening one eye to check me out. As a baby, I measured her each day and took photos to measure her growth. Throughout her almost 8 years she had many experiences. She went vacationing every summer with my family to our holiday trailer where she had her own complete mini setup. Her favorite place in the world was our campsite in the woods. She loved climbing the small hills and trees on her leash. I still remember the day I carried her back in the trailer when she jumped off the little bed and tried to drag me back outside like a dog pulling on a leash. Zeppy had a mini blow up baby pool that she loved to splash in on hot days. She’d “dive” off my lap into the water. Zeppelin also enjoyed being carried about and watching the other animals. In the last six months of her life, she declined slowly and lost interest in things such as coming out. In the end, she was taken by a neurological/convulsive episode five days before her estimated eighth birthday. She was a special creature who had the ability to calm me by relaxing in my arms when I was upset rather than showing her usual curiosity. I am grateful that I had the chance to have her in my life and believe I will be reunited with her someday.
The above image is of Zeppelin in her favorite place in the world, the campsite.
