For Lucy, the best dog of her kind in the World

With a saddened heart I’m sharing with you that we lost our beautiful Lucy yesterday.  She crossed over the rainbow bridge about 6 pm with our help.  She had a seizure about 3:30 that ended after about 10 minutes and then another that wouldn’t end, even with all the drugs the doctors gave her.   Although she had experienced a few seizures in the last four months, we hadn’t expected this.  You never know what the day will bring.

Lucy was Becky’s dog and I met her when I moved up here 8 years ago.  She was the kind of dog you dream of; sweet, gentle, fun and always listened to what we asked.  Becky had adopted her from the humane society so we never knew exactly how old she was but we estimate she was now about 16.   We guessed she was a collie/shepherd mix of some sort.  She sure was beautiful.

She had her run of our 10 acres and about another 30 of two other neighbors.  They loved her too.  She loved helping with chores and just the sight of us going to the basement got her excited because she knew that was where the chore clothes were.  After chores, Becky would play the glove game with her where she would let Lucy have one of her gloves in a keep away game.

She was my early door bell which when you live on a long driveway out in the country is a very handy thing.  I always knew when the UPS man was here, the LP gas guy or when a client had arrived.  I was never surprised by anyone as Lucy always greeted them first.  And she was a good girl about it.  She would bark at them but would back off as soon as I asked her to.  She especially liked the UPS guy as he always had treats for her.

She was very easy to communicate with.  Occasionally she would be out after dark and Becky would be concerned about her.  She would ask me to tell her to come home (telepathically) and she always showed up a few minutes later.  When I first came here she loved to chase the deer.  But when I asked her not to, she stopped.  Well as best she could.  Occasionally she might still chase one a little, after all it was her instinct so it was hard to fault her when I knew she was trying so hard.

Many of my animal communication students discovered they could communicate with a dog through Lucy.  She was always excited to be a part of the class and help out.  I’m sure she will still want to help now from Spirit.

She earned her “Therapy Dog” certificate with me in 2005.  She passed with flying colors and I never did any training with her.  She just knew what she needed to do.  We made weekly trips to Portage County Nursing Home and the King Veterans home.  She brought smiles to so many people. 

She was our “big” dog and was very patient with the sometimes obnoxious little dogs.  She was so balanced and so good with them. Now Hanna, is the “big” dog in our pack of four at only 18 lbs. 

It’s all still a bit surreal.  We knew she was preparing to leave us but we didn’t expect it this soon.  It never occurred to me yesterday morning that it was the last time I would feed her or the last time she would do chores or accompany me to my office.  We know she is okay now.  I have connected with her.  But we will miss her dearly as will many of our friends and those who have known her.   We love you Lucy.  You are the best dog of your kind in the World.