The night Rhonda and Lindsey brought their newly adopted dog home in February of 2007, Tom, Tim, and I went to RubinSmo Manor to meet Sugar. Of course I had my camera, and Lindsey, photo pro that she is, warned me that she’d already tried to photograph her and Sugar did not like the camera. And as kids do to prove their parents wrong, Sugar immediately became a willing subject and let me get a couple of photos. This is the first one I ever took of her.
There have been hundreds more through the years as Sugar came to be a frequent visitor to The Compound. On Friday nights, if she thought The Brides were being too slow to leave the house, she’d get amped up and remind them that It’s Craft Night: They are WAITING for us at THE COMPOUND! She was part of the pack that included Margot, Guinness, and Rex, and tolerated a few doggy visitors and fosters through the years. There were two things that would make her forget that she was a dog of great dignity: when the laser pointer was brought out and when Tim cradled her in his arms on his lap. I never saw anyone else allowed to hold her that way.
In the fall of 2009 she met her BFF at first sight, Pixie. They were completely wrapped up in each other and ignored the rest of us. Fortunately my camera was handy and Lindsey grabbed it and shot a series of photos of them.
Sugar played so hard at The Compound on visits and when we dogsat her. We wondered what she’d think of Houndstooth Hall. Would she understand it was still her home away from home? She was getting older, a little slowed by her arthritis, and not as prone to a good romp as she once was. But after some initial hesitation, she found a new reason to enjoy being with us: a bigger yard with so many interesting things to smell and places to explore. I loved watching her as she found her favorite spots to sniff and hide.
It was an honor the last Monday of September to be with Lindsey and Rhonda at RubinSmo Manor when they brought out the laser pointer for Sugar again–to see her chase the beloved “red dot” one last time. Then they gave her the gentlest, most loving of goodbyes so she could leave to find her old pal Rex and her grandfather Sam at the Rainbow Bridge.
You are missed by all who knew and loved you, Sugar. I’m grateful that once again you let me turn my camera on you.
Run free, sweet girl.
🙁
She was such a good friend to Pixie. I’ll miss her terribly.
I felt like I knew her through you and the brides … I know she was an amazing friend and such a sweet girl — she’ll be missed even by people who never had the privilege to pet her
I am saddened to hear of Sugar’s passing. Though I only saw her in photographs – I feel as if I knew her. I will miss hearing about her adventures.
I had the privilege of meeting and playing with Sugar on several occasions while visiting the Compound. She was one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. I know how much Lindsey and Rhonda loved her. She will be missed by all who knew her. My heart goes out to the brides.
She was the sweetest – wonderful to see those photos, thank you for sharing. She sure was one loved puppers.
You’re trying to make me cry, aren’t you?
Sugar and Pixie looked like sisters!