Her Name Is Suzie

In October, 1995, a call came in from a couple in a rural area. It seems that a dog had shown up on their place about 4 months earlier. They had just let the dog hang around, but now the dog appeared injured, and they wanted to know if they could bring it in to have it put to sleep. I told them that would be fine, since the dog had been at their place for so long.

They showed up with the dog about an hour later. As I walked around the counter to look at the dog, I did a double take. Could it be? No, not possible, but yes, it was, a Standard Poodle! Her apricot coat was unkempt and her face resembled a sheepdog more so than a Poodle, but indeed, under that dirty, matted mess was a regal creature. After an inspection, I could find no injuries, just the fact that she was about 8-10 years old and had very bad teeth. I explained to the people that I was going to search for lost reports instead of putting her to sleep. Surely someone, somewhere was missing this dog.

An extensive search of lost reports (two years back) and alas, no matches were found. I notified all the other shelters within 50 miles, and they also reported no matches. What was to become of this beautiful animal? I had been so sure that an owner would be found and had dreamed of the reunion between family and dog. These are the moments a shelter worker lives for. To return a dog home that had been gone for so long is enough to make anyone believe in miracles. But no miracles were happening for this girl.

Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I went ahead and groomed her. I wasn't able to save much of her coat, but with a clean face she was absolutely GORGEOUS! Each passing day I prayed for an adoptive family. Time and time again, I passed over her on the euthanasia roster, desperate to give her one more day and at the same time feeling guilty for prolonging the obvious.

Well, for those of you who are thinking the worst, the obvious happened. She came home with me. She is my friend and partner in education for the humane society and turns everyone's head. Her last years will be spent encouraging people to take a look at the beauty of an older pet. I know that somewhere there is a person who loved this dog. I wish I could let them know she is alright and loved. I wish I could find out how things went so wrong and how she ended up unwanted. Sometimes when she sleeps, I wonder if she remembers another life and another person. I guess some stories will never be told.

Oh, and by the way, Her Name is Suzie!

*Suzie went to the bridge in January 2000. Although her time with me was brief, it was well worth every moment we shared.