Archive for February 27th, 2005
Sunday, February 27th, 2005Sussi
Sussi at age nine; still beautiful; still young at heart. For more about Sussi, read the article “Dog Blanket” posted on February 27, 2005.
Sunday, February 27th, 2005Dog Blanket
Sussi came to live with me when she was seven years old. She was underweight and doubt filled her chocolate brown eyes. For the last two years, her owner had neglected her in order to pursue a world of drugs.
Sussi’s personality was sweet. Intelligence radiated from her eyes. Her stump of a tail never stopped wagging. She and Kodiak fell in love at first sight. Kodiak was glad to have a friend to help ward off Clint’s unexpected attacks.
Sussi quickly became known as “the pack cohesion coordinator.” She worried about keeping everyone together; she circled round me on hikes and then raced back to Kodiak to check on him; then back to me again. She probably ran ten times the distance I walked on a single hike.
At night, when the temperatures dipped, I lay on the couch and tapped my chest.
“Dog blanket,” I said. And Sussi would leap up and drape herself across my chest, her head tucked beneath my chin. Her deep, even breathing often put me to sleep.
On outings, people often noticed Kodiak first. His huge, majestic body and fawning expression reeled people in. But, within a few moments, Sussi would get their attention. She sat quietly, her gentle doe eyes attentive.
“And who is this sweet dog?” People would say; and Sussi would thump her tail and grin.