To Gonzaga the Goodest Pup Ever

Okay, so I'm going to let it be known right now, this is not going to be the normal Coach Day tone with little quirks and quips. I am blessed to have this blog though today, as it I need it more than ever. Though I don't think I can come close to do him justice with my words. The past couple of days in the Day household have been rough, and I do NOT want to hear anything about "they're just dogs"! Gonzaga, a Staffordshire Terrier, was much more than that to me and my wife (who is here a lot due to Zag). For the past decade that he enriched our lives more than I think he could ever know, through his early ups and downs, he always stood proudly and happily by our side to the last moments.

Dogs, to me, can do something amazing, they become a part of your identity in so many ways. Zag as we called him for short, I think I have mentioned before he was of course named after my favorite team. This punk always found his way into making us smile. Sadly for us today, he decided it was time for his next adventure as he left us.

Gonzaga was our first dog. I got him just over 10 years ago. I still remember the day, the breeder said, "How about you get down and see who comes to you," as I looked on a bit nervous about which pup to choose. There was the little man staring me down from across the floor. This lil’ brindle pup made a dash for me, and from then on I had my partner in crime.

From the jump, we had a spitfire on our hands. When first meeting my mom, he gave a little puppy growl... and then a day later, decided to love her until his last day. He had his own ways of warming up to people, but boy would he warm up to ya, constant excitement or couch/chair cuddles ensued. His first year of life was a spazz and a terror in every way he could be. Not in the sense of being a bad boy, he was, and never will be, considered that no slander ever. He just showed he was different. Unique. He quickly found his footing as the leader of the family, helping lead me into the journey of the next chapter of my life including teaching, coaching, and now blogging.

For the first year, it was just Zag and I...partners side by side, working on my family farm every day he could be with me. This dude loved his mud baths, chasing birds away, and back at home... SPRINKLERS! He had to make sure every single one met its doom. He made so many doggo friends (and human ones) along the way too, but one in particular he worked his magic on.

He is looking at his Mum, my wife

At about a year old, he decided to help extend this duo to a trio...as he actually met my wife before I even did! He might have even had told you I stole his girl! While I was away, she met him since I was living with some mutual friends. He wasn’t done yet though...he knew upon meeting her that she was the one to be there with us. A few weeks later, I met my wife, and the next morning, Zag....who NEVER got into non-food items, was walking around with a necklace, of all things, in his mouth. This led to me contacting my future wife for the first time. What a freakin’ smooth ass wingman, right?

Over the next 9 years, he was with us in every moment. His walks...every day, no matter the weather were so sacred to him and his very routine style of life. Seriously, this man didn’t care. In the Arizona summers, it was 4 AM before-sun walks, and in the winters or rain, he had to go no matter the situation. I can recall last summer, I got SICK as I can remember being ever, but I still felt since he was there to help me feel better, I had to find the strength for him. This man was a walk merchant down to his last days. I even had an app to track it daily, letting him know his little stats on speed and distance. Just since October we check he had 170.5 miles in walks!

After walk time, he was ready to tackle whatever the day had in store. In every situation, every walk of life, he had a smile on his brindle face that would bring one to yours. Yes, I understand it may sound cliché...but this guy was always happy to see you and ready to follow you room to room on whatever adventure we had in store. Whether it was folding clothes, taking a shower, or, I'm sure one of his favorites...cooking time, as my messy and weak ass would always give him some snacks! This dude just loved being a part of anything with us, you get a package he was there to open it with you, you wanna do a workout on the floor, he was ready to roll with ya.

One of the favorite oddities of ours was his toys. Now in cartoons, we always see the dog burying his bones, right? But what about real life? Well, this little punk loved his toys... and even a slice of bread or two. What do I mean, hold up for that story? So every time we went on a trip or just got a bag of dog food, a toy was needed for him, I had to do it for him, yes I spoiled him wildly. He knew from the jump, every dang time too, as patient and polite as his 70-pound butt could be.

Finally, when he got it, it was time to parade it all about, waiting for the oohs, ahhs, and “wow, nice toy.” Once he felt he got the reactions he needed, he proceeded to the backyard and buried it to left there for good. My wife and I have already decided that is where they will stay, as anytime you found one he was extremely embarrassed. He deserves them to be where he wanted.I'm telling you he did it with every toy. Every single time. Including one time when he got a slice of bread...we assumed he would munch it right up. Nope. Instead, a day or two later, while lying on the couch, I reached between the cushions... and there it was. And of course, he looked at me shocked as to why I would ever move his precious stash. That was Zag though he always seemed to have this grasp on the situation more than I’ve seen in any other animal. He had these looks that could tell you a whole story.

I feel like I could write for days as my wife and I sit with story after story to get us through the evening. You sit here and wish for one more this, or one more that. But instead, as tough as it is and as selfish as you want to be, he told us in his way today, it was just his time.

A pup who helped give me an amazing wife. Who gave us all the best moments during COVID stuck at home. Who got to experience more than many others ever will. He got us through so much and we feel set us up for even more to remember him by.

For dogs, you always wish they had more time. You wish you could give them so much more, because you feel they gave you endless memories of smiles. Gonzaga helped me, as a 24-year-old still figuring out life, grow into who I have become now, ten years later. It may sound weird to some that a dog could have that type of impact...but trust me they do.

They help you feel confident enough to talk to that beautiful girl, who becomes the love of your life.They teach you healthy routines through daily walks.They show you how to care for a soul who just needs a partner.

And a partner he was, as he laid with me through countless Barstool Yaks, Dozens, and A New Untold Stories. Oh, and of course, we can't forget the endless sporting events, he wanted to share in the excitement with me. During the biggest Gonzaga basketball moments, I had Zag right beside me, and I know he’ll always be watching with me for the next.

A tribute I wish I could articulate even better, but more so a thank you to the best man's best friend a guy could have.