The Shell

   It was a fine spring evening as I stated off on a walk with two of our Borzoi, Suzy and Ruslan. The wheat was a bright green with a gold cast from the setting sun. The air had begun to cool. Just what the Borzoi like. We started down the dusty farm road that we have walked on so often, so the dogs knew which way to go. Suzy trotted ahead with Ruslan. She still starts the walks with all the energy of a young dog. The walk will last for about a mile and a half. When we come to the usual turning spot, we turn and head up hill through the wheat field. There was a light breeze, it was a beautiful evening. It is a steep hill and as we came to the top of the hill, the usual turn around spot, I could hear Suzy coming up from behind. She was a short distance back and I could hear her heavy breathing. I stopped at the top of the hill and waited for her. Ruslan stood by me and waited also.

  When Suzy reached us I petted her and let her rest for a little while. The whole time we stood and rested, Suzy had her ears up and was looking all around for something to hunt. Suzy never stopped hunting on any of the walks we took. After the break we started back down the hill. As we walked Suzy began to fall a little behind. I slowed so that she could keep up. Then off in the distance I saw a coyote. I stopped and held onto Ruslan’s collar. I didn’t want him to chase the coyote because I knew Suzy would go to, for she still has all the great desire and spirit of her youth. I didn’t want her to push the shell, that is her body, beyond what it could do. That fragile shell can no longer do what the spirit inside it desires: the shell that has served her so well for the past 10 1/2 years, the shell that a few short years ago could be pushed to it's limits by the spirit that is the true essence of the dog, to catch a jackrabbit.
 

   I think of old Mr. Blake, at home, who’s shell is also failing. His shell did so well in the show ring, as did Suzy’s. The spirit and shell together, a perfect match, would chase jackrabbits. I think of how his generosity and largess of  spirit was able to use his shell to help the woman he served as a service dog for 6 years: how he helped her walk up and down stairs, how he helped her back into her wheelchair when she fell out, how he helped her every day to do what she needed to do to live. He gave up so much of his life and freedom to give her more life and freedom. His shell too can no longer do what it once could. But the spirit is still there. If you look into Blake’s or Suzy’s eyes, now clouded with age, look deep; you can see the fire, the life, the spirit; it is still there just as it was when they were young and their shells were strong. But the shells can no longer accomodate the spirit as they once so easily did. The spirit could push the shell to its limits and sometimes beyond, but nowthe limits are much less. Mr. Blake has always been a gentle soul. He once tried to save a baby hawk from his kennel mates. He placed it between his front feet and licked it very gently, while keeping the others away. Their spirits are so great, beyond anything a human could ever be.
 

   These two once had beautiful, magnificent, strong shells. The spirits have not changed. The spirits are still beautiful, magnificent and strong. As breeders we must give our dogs a shell that can hold and do justice to that great spirit of the dog. We must give them a shell that will hold up when pushed to the limits by the spirit. I am honored and blessed to have been a part of these grand old dogs lives. I will never know why I was chosen to be part of their lives, but I am glad I was. Dogs with spirits so great that the shells are used up in a very short time. Dogs that I will never forget. Dogs that have done much more for me than I have ever done for them.
 

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   I wrote the above about a year and a half ago. Mr. Blake is still with us at 13 1/2 years of age. His rear is getting weak and he may not have much more time here. I hope he makes it until spring so that he can enjoy the nice warm days in the yard. Today, Feb. 12^th , 2002 would have been Suzy’s 12^th birthday. She died 3 days ago; her spirit left her frail shell behind. Suzy and I had went on many more walks, walks I will always remember. She was loved by many and she was always so gentle, gracious and kind, always so patient. Suzy was a great mother and loved all puppies. She taught her daughter Leica to be a great mother also. Leica is having a wonderful time with her 10 week old puppies, Suzy's grand puppies. Suzy was a once in a lifetime experience. She did everything with style. She was a great hunter and runner, and always a great presence to be near. She had a calming effect on everyone and on every dog that was near her. There will never be another one like her. Her death has left a large whole in our kennel. Many of the other dogs seem to know she has gone. They go and look in her room and just stare. Suzy’s death has also left a large whole in me, one that may never fill.
 

   Suzy’s spirit is now free from its shell. Her spirit is no longer limited and can do as it pleases. I hope she knows how much we love her. I hope to meet Suzy’s spirit again when my shell also gives out.
 

   Rest well Suzy, you are greatly loved and will always be missed.

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   On Feb. 19th we had to say goodbye to  Mr. Blake. He did not live to see another spring. His shell didn't last as long as we'd hoped, and he had to leave us behind.  He was always such a proud and noble dog. We never wanted him to feel bad or out of control. Blake helped to raise Suzy from when she was 5 weeks old. Except for the time that Blake was a service dog he was always with Suzy. I think he died of a broken heart, and he had a very big heart. His life was not the same without Suzy. Blake was one of the all time great dogs. Suzy had died in the ICU at the vet hospital. A few weeks after Suzy died, I had a dream. In the dream I was standing next to the cage in the ICU that Suzy was in. She stood up and she and I walked out the door. As we stepped through the door we were in the desert, and Suzy was in her slip lead. We walked a short ways and up jumped a jack rabbit. I slipped Suzy and she was off after the jack. They worked their way through the sage with Suzy hot on the tail of the jack. They kept going until they were out of sight. I folded up my slip lead, placed it in my pocket, turned, and walked away. Run, Suzy and Blake, run!  I hope Suzy and Blake are together now and I hope to see them again someday. In every sense of the word they were both CHAMPIONS.
 
 
 

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