There comes a day in every dog’s life when we have to say ‘goodbye.’ That day finally came, but I think I’d prefer to start at the beginning of our story together…

It was Valentine’s Day 1995 when our eyes first met across the tiny sanctum that the Dumb Friends League had constructed at Littleton’s Petsmart. And on that day, celebrated for love, we found it too. It was instant, and irrevocable. We were a perfect pairing. She was a long way from home – lonely, frightened and friendless and so was I. Our bond was instant, two lost souls brought together with love. What we didn’t know on that day, was that it was just the beginning of a long, beautiful friendship.

From the first, we realized that we had so much in common. I loved to walk – I loved the extensive freedoms of the Colorado hiking trails – and so did she. That first day, we went out four times. Inhaled the air, stretched our limbs, enjoyed the sunshine. For the first time in a long time, life felt good and we both had a skip in our walk and a wag in our tail.

That day set the precedent for a million others. We walked in the morning, at noon, early evening and in the darkness of night. We walked in winter, spring, summer and fall. We walked the neighborhoods, the hiking trails and the mountains. We saw coyotes, eagles and deer. Walking soothed our souls, lifted our spirits and mended our lonely hearts, but inevitably wherever we walked, we always found our way home.

In time, she and I developed our routines. Of course, at first there was a little difficulty sharing our friendship with Todd. I let him know that we came first and, in the end he got the message and backed off. My favorite time was always Saturday mornings, tea in bed, with biscuits and a long lie in together.

That first Coloradoan Christmas will never be forgotten. The grandparents visited and we both got spoilt – presents galore. All I remember was a heap of Christmas wrapping – and lots of treats - we both enjoyed the fuss of family in our lives.

Granddad and Nanny visited many, many times and what I loved most was that meant – good food There was always a roast this and a roast that. I think they thought we needed a good meal. We’d both packed on the muscles since we began our marathons each day and they made sure that they fed us well on the choicest tidbits. Of course, we got them walking, too. I always remember the time that we took them to Mount Falcon. I jogged all over it and Granddad did everything in his power to keep up with me. We had a great game of hide and seek and I had him looking for me all over the place. It was hilarious – at least I thought so. When he died, a number of years later, we sat and howled together.

Naturally, we had many visitors over the years. Colorado was a great destination for friends and family. There was Russ and Aunty, Frances and Robert, Lucy, Heather, Dave and his kids, Nick and Louise, Peter and Terri – and then all of our local friends, Steve and Julia, Stephane, Mary Lou and John, Beth and Paul, Linda and the girls, the Medium Circle, Katie, Shoshannah and Liz.

We loved all of our friends but I had my own favorites; there was Granny Frances who thought I’d be more comfortable off the couch and on the floor (duh!) and who posted me a Christmas Pigskin one year, and Auntie who doted on me daily with tummy rubs and ear rubs and head scratches (ah she had good hands) and then there was lovely Liz, whose memory I will always salivate over.

The thing is, Liz knows how to spoil a girl. They met at graduate school. Liz worked part-time for a home and we hung out one Thanksgiving when she was away. Liz hailed from Maine. It was my job to teach her about a Colorado Thanksgiving and help her dish up the meals for the home residents. I explained that the bigger the portion the better and that it’s always important to recycle. Well, Liz was a quick study and before the day was done, I’d help her recycle three large, Thanksgiving dinners. It does a girl’s heart (and stomach) good to help! It was quite possibly one of the doggone happiest days of my life.

In 1998, life changed a bit when I had my accident. I was out jogging, when I got hit by a car. I struggled home and she was the one to find me on the doorstep. I thought she was going to have a heart attack -  she was shivering with fear and whimpering uncontrollably. Todd was instrumental in my recuperation – calm, kind, awake all night meeting my needs. She was a nervous wreck, unable to settle, pacing up and down and getting in the way. To be honest, I’d just wish someone would take her out and walk her for me, but it wasn’t happening. She was loyal like that. Over time, I got better, and I should have been a little more cautious when I escaped for a run, but it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

Over time, we moved and moved again. The third house brought trouble; babies. Of course, we knew that there would be changes, but neither of us realized the impact I guess. Did anyone tell you how much time and attention babies need? We’d be washing, changing, diapering, feeding and just when it seemed that we were ready to leave the house to start our walk – it would need to happen all over again. We were both irritable. Too little sleep! A big change to our routine! We even got crabby with one another. It got a little better with the arrival of the second one – by this time, we’d figured out a long walk that entailed a stop off at the park – where there’s a will…

Life changed big time in 2006. We made a move to MN. To be honest, the move knocked the stuffing out of us both. We missed our friends, missed our home, missed our hikes. We clung to each other. The weather was colder than Denver’s and that interfered with our walking. I think the fact of the matter is, that we were starting to feel our age, too many milestones had been passed for us to kid ourselves that we were young anymore and the surprise arrival of baby number three drove that home. I don’t know who was more tired, she or me!

It’s  now four years since we first arrived, I haven’t taken her out for a walk in a long time now. Truth is, we both weren’t well this year and pottering in the garden was enough for me. When I look back on our life together, I have to say it was special. Very special! Sometimes, a person can live a whole lifetime and not have a love likes ours. She’s known for a while that it’s time for us to close this chapter of our lives, but she acts like she’s got amnesia – but I know, she knows it’s time and I’m tired. I don’t think anyone would believe I’d make it to 115. I’m still waiting on my telegram from the Queen!

Final thoughts – us dogs are loyal. When we meet the one, it’s a love affair for life and life, with it’s ups and downs needs at least one good love affair in it. It’s what keeps the world waggin.’ As for me, while I can’t wait to go for a long run on that mountain in the sky,  I know she’ll know that for the rest of her life I’ll be there, as always, by her side.

My Susie, my Savior – by Nanny Iris

I was lost in a new world, new marriage, new country,

My husband, loving, caring and completely elated

At me finally moving to be with him,

Was unable to stem my feeling of woe,

Of loneliness, homesickness and complete isolation

At being starved of my family, friends… and home.

Then you came along, an abused puppy,

Longing for love and a caring new master,

My husband had found you, waiting expectantly

amongst all the other poor abandoned animals in that sanctuary,

Waiting impatiently for that chance to roam

In a new and happy, loving home.

We helped each other, you and this new wife,

Walking the mountain paths and parks,

Coming to terms with a brand new life.

All these years you have been by my side

A wonderful companion, friend and guide.

Now you are gone after so many years,

And I am distraught and filled with tears,

However I know you are now in a better place

Up there with the angels and able to race

around heaven with all your friends

Waiting for that moment when we can meet up again.

Susie, my savior, my friend.

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