We adopted Sassy from the Humane Society on a beautiful afternoon in late April 1999.  She was a 5 month old, 30 pound bundle of sweet puppy love and there was no doubt in our minds that she was the one.  She was our first dog and she taught us the rules of puppyhood.  She was infinitely loveable no matter what she did – whether she was being naughty or nice.  We found out that puppies are naughty frequently, even if they don’t mean to be.  Sassy would chew anything – a pen lying on the floor, the corner of the coffee table, a nice tasty DVD and even the sheetrock on the walls!  She taught us to see things through the eyes of a curious puppy and we learned how to remove temptation even though she still frequently found it.  Over the coming months, Sassy grew quickly into a big girl who was large and in charge.  There was never really any doubt who was the boss of the house once we brought her home. 

Our “pack” grew steadily over the next few years.  Floyd, also a Humane Society dog named after Hurricane Floyd, arrived in September 1999.  Eddie, a stray abandoned in our neighborhood, adopted us in June of 2000.  Tux, also abandoned in our neighborhood, found her way to us in April of 2001.  Sassy accepted each new addition in stride.  As the leader of the pack, she taught them the rules of the house – how to be good dogs, how to respect the cats, where to go potty, where the treats were – and how to be naughty dogs.  Regardless of whether they were being naughty or nice, we loved them all. 





Sassy's motto was "lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself".  Because of  her keen sense of smell, she often got into things that she shouldn't.  She loved to explore the trash can for hidden treats (there is no such thing as a Sassy proof trash can) and anything left on counter top was fair game for her.  Sassy had an affinity for cardboard - in any shape or form.  Coke fridge packs (full or empty), cereal and cracker boxes - and her favorite delicacy - empty toilet paper rolls!  While Sassy loved her siblings, there is no doubt that she seldom shared her bounty with them.  She was a good and obedient dog - when she wanted to be - but sometimes the temptation was just too much!  We did not put the box of crackers in her arms in the picture shown here.  She stole them off the counter and fell asleep while trying to get them open.

Sassy was a big Bloodhound mix with all the wonderful attributes that go with the breed – intelligence, stubbornness and a strong spirit.  She welcomed us home with a happy howl and an exuberant wag of the tail everyday.  Sassy and her siblings loved to go for long walks in the woods, swim in the pond and investigate all the sights, sounds and smells the woods had to offer.  Sassy often covered herself in “doggy perfume”, aka, the nearest smelly thing she could find to roll in.  She never quite understood why we didn’t find her fragrance appealing.  Whether she smelled good or bad, you couldn’t help but love Sassy – she was irresistible. 

Sassy fell ill suddenly in late June and was referred to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary for further diagnosis and supportive care.  Despite Sassy’s best efforts and the best efforts of the caring staff at VSH, Sassy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on July 5, 2005.  While her body failed her, her spirit never did.

Our house is still full of much canine companionship, but there is a profound emptiness with our big girl gone.  We gave her everything we had to offer, but she gave us even more in return.  While there will be many more canine children in our home in years to come as furry, four legged children are the best life has to offer, there will never be another Sassy.

Tina Williams and Lee Cline

 Floyd and Sassy snoozing on the couch - November 1999.

Sassy using Eddie as a pillow - always cater to the queen.

 

Sassy and Tux in the snow - January 2002. 

Tux worshipped Sassy and cleaned her ears, chops and paws on a daily basis. 

Sassy protested the treatment, but she secretly loved it!