In Moscow, It’s Still a Dog’s Life

Nicholas Daniloff, his wife and his children have all safely returned to the United States, but one member of the family is still detained in Moscow--Zeus the dog.

Zeus, a white and brown terrier who has been part of the Daniloff family for eight years, was forced to stay behind when the American journalist got word Monday afternoon that Soviet authorities were letting him leave on the evening flight.

Zeus, who has been staying at a Soviet friend’s apartment, will not be allowed to join his master until the necessary veterinary papers are completed, said Jeffrey Trimble, Daniloff’s successor as correspondent for U.S. News & World Report magazine.

“He was Nick’s most frequent companion in his Lenin Hills walks,” Trimble said.

It was in those hills, not far from his apartment, that Daniloff was seized by the Soviet secret police Aug. 30 and accused of spying.

The departure of the dog, expected soon, should end any lingering Soviet suspicions that “Zeus” might be a secret code word for something more than the family pet.

When Daniloff was allowed to make a phone call home from jail, he inquired innocently if there was any interesting news since his arrest eight days before.

“Zeus has fleas,” came the answer. The telephone line was immediately cut.