Ever heard the song, “Suzie Q.”? It goes, “I like the way you walk (actually, run for me) I like the way you talk (well, bark) Say that you’ll be true and never leave me blue”
I AM Suzie Q. And I think that’s what my Dad would say! Actually, we could say that about each other. We’re always there for each other. When I first got to the Ohio SPCA I was very hesitant about people. I stayed clear. But when Dad came to meet me, I looked him in the eye, slowly went over for treats and then leaned in for him to pet me. That was it! We instantly adopted each other.
Boy, did I make the right decision! This last two months have been the best of my life. We do everything together. Want to know some of my favorites? I love it when he lets me run at the park off leash, and then afterwards we go for a pupcup. Or when he gives me a new dental chew. Sometimes for fun I hide it to enjoy later when I’m waiting for him to come back home. Oh, then there’s the yummy homecooked meals. I wasn’t a big fan of dog kibble or wet food, so now he’s my personal chef! If it sounds like he really loves me that’s because I KNOW he does!
I try to make sure he knows I love him too. When we’re chilling together on the couch, I make lots of grumble noises so he knows I’m relaxed and happy. And I give him my belly every chance I get.
Sadly, it had gotten very painful to offer him my belly. My back HURT every time I did. I could feel stuff sometimes oozing out of my back as well. I know Dad had been trying hard to help me. He spent money he couldn’t spare on my antibiotics. I think he even missed some meals to do that. It would help for a little while but then it would come back worse than ever!
When the nice lady in the white coat said something to him about surgery, I could tell he was very upset. I wished I could have told him that I understood he couldn’t afford it. I knew it didn’t mean he didn’t love me! Then the coat lady said something about Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund and he started looking so much better.
I’m so glad to be back home now. I’m not loving this soft donut thing around my neck but I AM loving being with my Dad. He can depend on my “always being true and never leaving him blue”.
NOTE FROM SUZIE’S DAD:
I came to the United States when I was 18 years old in order to get a better education. I have lived by myself throughout college and now work. From time to time, I could sense the emptiness of my heart. I used to feel sad when sunset was coming because there would be me and me alone. I increasingly felt there was no difference whether I existed in this world or not. But all of that changed when Suzie came into my life. I want to thank each one of you who helped her to get back to a happier life. Now she can get her favorite belly rubs without fear of pain. And in the future, if everyone donates (which I will do as soon as I can), we could stop sad stories of people having to say goodbye to their best friend because they can’t pay the bill.
