Larry A. Smail's Blog

Water Dog!

Fourteen years ago on February 6th, 1998, some Springer Spaniels were brought into this world. A short time later, in March, Laurie and her mother, Anne, walked into the basement and two little puppies would crawl into my lap and curl up to fall asleep. I sat on the basement floor holding these two fat-bellied puppies until my backside couldn’t stand it. Suzie would become our puppy and Bridget would become my mother-in-law’s dog.

    The immediate bond the two of us felt was certain. We became one! Playtime was always fun and great times. I enjoyed playing chase and fetch. The affection and love we shared was, also, immediate. I would lay on the floor and the little pup would come over and cuddle up. Suzie would crawl over your head and neck to find that special place to sleep. As she grew some, her favorite place was right next to me with her head on my chest.

Suzie lost her “puppy-ness”way to fast. She was growing daily! We enjoyed woodland and field walks together. She would know when a walk was happening. She sensed our actions and would rush to the door and excitedly bark and run in circles. Suzie would open presents. She really loved to be with me when I was butchering deer. Wonder why?

Suzie loved the snow

The years went way too fast and in 2009, Suzie became ill. I tried to comfort her over night. The next morning we hurried to the vet only to find Suzie had developed diabetes. We were very concerned as the insulin would be part of her life from this point on.

    The vet didn’t give us much hope either. We were told average life expectancy would be 6 months to, maybe a year or so. I would be often up with her 2-3 times a night with some nights only a couple of hours of sleep. (There are few nights to this day that we aren’t outside, at least once.)

   By the end of 2009, a very thin and a weak-looking Suzie had me deciding on a grave site. I almost dug a grave under the hemlock as winter crept in. I waited and Suzie perked up and gained back some weight and hope, once again, was felt by Laurie and I. Unfortunately, we had in the back of our minds what the vet had told us.

Well, here we are in 2012, Suzie is still with us. She was diagnosed with diabetes on February 28th, 2009. We have been truly blessed. Yes, she is almost totally blind and hard of hearing. She, occasionally, has accidents, but she still enjoys playing and eating.

    Laurie and I, both know, Suzie’s time is limited on this earth. We dread that day! WE realize with the age of 14 and her illness that she could see a turn for the worse anytime. However, until that time we will continue to try to keep her as well as we are able. We will continue to love her and to spoil her all the more! Dogs are the best!