A Boy's Best Friend

On Monday, I told you about Suki, my grandson's dog. After she collapsed on Sunday and a trip to the emergency vet, we learned that her heart was simply too big and that she was dying of congestive heart failure. We were given medicine to make it easier for her to breathe, and had an appointment to see the vet today. But she won't be there. She passed away yesterday afternoon.

Suki was a Jackapoo, the Captain Danger of designer dogs. She was the sweetest dog I ever saw. I got her for Dat 13 years ago, and she adored him. I loved watching them play. If it was baseball, she'd shag the balls, even though they barely fit into her mouth. She got so used to going after baseballs that she once ran out into the field during a Lehigh U game and stole a baseball.

When Dat played football, she had to get in on that action, too. Dat would announce "Down," and she would assume the linebacker position. Then Dat, who actually was a very fast running back would call out signals and snap the ball to himself. Once he did that, no matter how fast he ran, she'd get him. She was never content until she pulled his pants down.

Unfortunately, she was a terrible basketball player. Couldn't dunk.

She was very mischievous. She loved to quarrel with skunks, and once took off on an adventure that had us looking for her for three days.

She was good for me, too. I would dog sit at times over the summer, and she inspired me to start exercising at least twice. In the summer of 2018, when I was 128 pounds heavier than I am now, it is she who coaxed me into walking again. She'd also give me a look of complete disgust as I struggled to keep up with her.

This past summer, it is she who struggled to keep up with me. I thought her age might be catching up to her. Then, when I received word from Dat that she collapsed one hot July day, I thought it must be the heat or that she just tripped. Then came a second report, and once again, I assumed it was the heat. When she collapsed a third time on Sunday, it was time to see the vet.

Though the medicine made it easier for her to breathe, her energy and passion for life seemed to be gone.

We had kept Dat in the dark because he was taking exams. But his mom visited him on campus yesterday, after he had taken his last exam, and brought Suki to see her pal. Suki was thrilled and was her old self. After filling Dat in on the situation, Suki and his mom returned home. As soon as she got back, Suki let go and is now gone.

It seems that she had kept herself alive just to see her best friend one last time.

I said good-bye to her at the vet. She was finally at peace.

Thanks to those of you who emailed and messaged me.