I'm not much for writing from the perspective of my dog, but seeing the last month through her eyes may be the best I can do. Mark's dad married us 47½ years ago so that will take more time to process.
But, that's not how Suzie saw him at all. Bob was 89 when he first saw her and lit up to have a puppy in their home during Covid shutdowns. He was rather partial to black sporting dogs, but usually cockers. Suzie kissed all over him as he doted on her every time we visited, noting how much bigger she had gotten and how smart she was. ...and how good she was to just calm down while the people played table games.
Then came a year where they didn't see each other more than twice and she had to be more gentle because of the falls. But, that was fine-fine because she had learned some therapy dog manners by then, so she was still loved on and she was giving plenty of healing kisses.
Finally came our Friday visit to the rehab center for maybe their best day ever. Suzie hung out and listened to all the stories Bob told and all the questions and surprises and laughter and love in Mark's and Bob's voices as they talked. For more then two hours she moved from under Mark's hand to under Bob's, and back. We left after Bob collected more of Suzie's puppy kisses to heal up his ouchies.
When we returned Monday, things had changed. He wasn't communicating much, and no more conversation. Just one hand he dropped over the guard rail to Suzie for more of the kisses and a little scratch, but she was right there when he needed it. By Wednesday we were in the hospital with Bob in hospice, and Suzie was right there comforting Bob the first day and, after that, moving from family member to family member, all of them dog people, offering comfort and absolute love. As we stood around his bed Friday for his last breath, Suzie was there, too, more calm than I've ever seen her, moving her head under people's fingertips and gently leaning against them.
While she taken some breaks from the room, she had also gone to the OKC bombing memorial and gone right to the person who needed her most. She had moved through halls and waiting rooms of strangers in grief and stopped at anyone who wanted her love. So, it was no surprise that she was also with us at the funeral and graveside and dinner, bring her loving, healing best for all of us.
A hug when we needed it and a playmate when we needed that, and just laid with a hand (or two or three) stroking her and listed to stories when we needed that most of all.
I always felt Suzie was glad we had this time together. Wouldn't want to have been any place else.
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