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| The moment we saw her rescue site photo, we loved Sassy Sue. Those ears are exclamation points during our discussions. Want to go for a walk? Ears up - barking yes, yes, yes, yes, now, now now. |
Sassy and I do errands together, and she enjoys being in the back seat. But she does not sit there passively. Most of the time she perches on the Town Car's armrest, which divides the front seats. Her front legs are on armrest and her only back leg is on the rear seat. Precarious?
She has had a few spills, but she likes leaning forward and watching the sights. She is keenly aware of familiar territory and always barks when we turn onto the home stretch, either on Scott or Letha. I recently passed the final turn because we were going to the bank, too. She was upset that I missed the turn.
Sometimes we sing the Cattle Dog Blues but lately - Waltzing Matilda. I like the part - "Up rode the squatter, sitting on his thoroughbred. Down came the troopers - one, two, three." I am getting Sassy to offer three barks on one, two, three. She is in the novel I am writing; her character is Wigglesworth - Wiggles for short. She plays a key role at the end, saving the writer's life. Taking her along and walking with her - that is pure research.
Here are some of her exchanges:
- She waited for her treat from a drive-up bank teller who dotes on her. Once she got the first one, she simply stared at the teller until the second one went into the tray. (We use the closest bay.) It was not an evil stare, but an expectant one, her long-practiced puppydog look, loving but starving. The teller loved it.
- She loves the UPS driver, because he leaves a large milkbone for her. When she hears his truck come onto our cul-de-sac, bedlam barking follows. I open the door as he circles the end of the street. She gets her milkbone and sits in the middle of the yard to enjoy it. The driver waves and smiles at us as he drives past.
- She flirts with all the women who step up to admire her. I mention the missing leg and the attention doubles. At Lowe's she comes inside and rocks the place with her happy bark. When I pick up mulch afterwards and women load the trunk (with my help), she sits at the window and soaks up the love.
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| The smile is great for getting treats and also forgetting she is in trouble for not listening. |