Ziva David Yordy

Ziva David (Da-veed) Yordy, the sweet 10-year-old girl of Craig and Rebecca Yordy, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed over the Rainbow Bridge at 9:00 am on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Ziva was born in the summer of 2014. Craig and Rebecca happened to be browsing a Facebook sales page and came across a post regarding a dog who was about a year old; the post read that if someone didn’t come and pick her up, she was going to be put down. Craig and Rebecca decided that they had to do something to help this girl. They weren’t necessarily looking for a dog, but they decided they could not just sit by and let this girl be put down. They decided that they would at least foster her until they could find a home for her. At least she would have a chance at life. Craig and Rebecca made the hour-and-a-half trip to Greencastle, Indiana. When they arrived, she immediately ran to Craig and wrapped her front paws around his leg and wouldn't let go. Craig and Rebecca relayed that they “knew then that she was ours.” and that the memory of that day is one of the sweetest of many beautiful memories of Ziva. Ziva’s official gotcha day was Thursday, April 9th of 2015. They immediately took Ziva to their veterinarian, who informed them that she was a mixture of both Beagle and Dachshund and that she was actually only between 7 to 10 months old. The veterinarian also went on to say that she was severely emaciated and probably abused. She was sadly only a mere 4 pounds and appeared to be surviving by eating her own feces. Their veterinarian advised that she would probably not make it. He suggested that they just make her as comfortable as they could until she passed away. But for the first time in her life, this little pup felt the overwhelming compassion and love from Craig and Rebecca, and against all odds, she not only made it through the night but went on to live a happy life and become part of a family who absolutely adored her. 

After her recovery, little Ziva the pup was a bouncing, happy bundle of fur. Ziva’s joyful personality was abundant. Ziva was an avid tap dancer. She would dance and bounce with excitement for her food, treats, and going outside to play, and when she learned she was going on a car trip with her family. She would bounce with the most excitement when it came to her family. Rebecca shared, “Ziva was a snuggle puppy who would tap dance every time she saw us; no matter if we left the house or just the room, she was always excited and bouncy to see us.” 

Ziva wasn’t a picky girl when it came to food. Ziva loved all food. Dog food, human food, it was all the same to her. She particularly loved whipped cream. She loved to try to catch it as it squirted out of the can. Ziva would run to the kitchen any time she would hear the fridge open or hear a food wrapper. She would tap dance for treats and catch any piece tossed to her in midair. Any time anyone ate anything, she would need a bite, and regardless of if she got bites or not, she would search all around the table hoping to find crumbs after everyone was finished eating.

Ziva absolutely did not like bath time. She had to be bribed with peanut butter in order to be bathed. She did, however, love the attention she received after her bath. She loved being towel dried and would smile and lie on her back waiting for those extra belly rubs. Ziva didn’t like toys, especially toys that squeaked. She was, for her first few years of life, fond of a little stuffed animal but eventually grew tired of that. She preferred to just cuddle with her humans and her older fur sister, Luna. They would play and snuggle together all day. Ziva enjoyed the outdoors so much. 

Ziva loved going on car rides. She especially loved traveling on the back roads; Craig and Rebecca would purposely avoid the highway just so they could drive by all of the animal farms. Rebecca shared, “Her nose would sniff a mile a minute at the different smells that the farms would bring.” She enjoyed the trips through the drive-through where she would get chicken nuggets or French fries as a treat. Ziva had to have a seat belt in the car because she would jump over the driver's seat to get to the front to sit on your lap.

Ziva was blessed with a family who didn’t leave her behind but brought her along for the family vacations. Rebecca shared memories of how Ziva loved the nature trail hikes but hated water. Craig and Rebecca took her to Padre Island in Texas to enjoy the beach. As soon as the water touched her foot, she leaped up and over Rebecca’s shoulder to get away from it. Rebecca recalled how she loved to watch the birds under the feeder and chase the rabbits in the yard, adding, “She never caught one; you could see the joy in her face just to get the chance to chase one,” continuing, “Whether it was her own backyard or a vacation somewhere new, she loved to explore. One time when they were in the Tennessee mountains, Ziva got to see a black bear.”

Rebecca shared Ziva’s full name was Ziva David Yordy, pronounced: Zee-vah Da-veed, from their favorite character on their favorite television show, NCIS. But they often called her “Sweet Girl” and their “Little Alarm Clock” because she would wake Craig up every day just before his alarm would go off by jumping at the side of the bed and sniffing his ear.

Despite the extreme abuse and neglect Ziva suffered as a young pup, she did not let her past keep her from loving unconditionally. She had the biggest, purest heart. Her family explained that what Ziva valued most in her life was companionship. She loved people; she never met a stranger. She loved belly rubs from anyone that would give them. She loved to snuggle her humans and be held like a baby. Ziva was so smart; if you said the word “hug,” Ziva would throw her two front legs around you and hug you back. If you said, “Smile,” she would bare her teeth to smile. She loved food, people, and all other animals. Ziva was an excited, happy girl who just wanted to give love and be loved. According to Rebecca, Ziva loved them both, accepting all of their pets and snuggles. However, “she loved her daddy Craig more than anything; she would even whine every time he left the house, often staring at the back door until he came back home.” As Ziva aged, she battled many illnesses. Craig and Rebecca took her to multiple doctors and three different hospitals. Ultimately she was diagnosed with vestibular disease, megaesophagus disorder, and aspirated pneumonia accompanied by seizures and strokes. The veterinarian told them that her prognosis was non-fatal and that it was likely caused by old age or for unknown reasons. Rebecca described the love and compassion her husband had for Ziva: “Craig went above and beyond to help her recover; he built her a Bailey chair for feedings, helped her walk with a harness, and made sure she got her medicine every day. Her last months were hard for both of them. We never saw the improvement with recovery that the vets told us we would see."

 Craig did everything humanly possible to help Ziva, and Ziva fought valiantly to the very end to stay with her family, lovingly snuggling with them until she passed over the Rainbow Bridge. 

 Ziva brought so much joy and happiness to the entire family, who shared that they had “nearly 10 amazing years” with their sweet girl. Ziva will be missed immensely by her human parents, Craig and Rebecca; her 2-month-old human sister, Lydia; as well as her older fur sister, Luna. Arrangements have been entrusted to Always & Furever in Our Hearts Pet Cremation in association with Liming Family Funeral Home, located in Shirley, Indiana. We are honored to serve the family of Ziva David Yordy.

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