Sassy Sue

In Memory of Sassy Sue
November 1993 – September 20th, 2007

Sassy came to us as a rescue from the Kerry Blue Foundation in August 2003.  She was 9 years old and her owners had contracted Alzheimer’s.  Sassy had spent 7 weeks at the Vets before he contacted the Foundation.  She had previously spent the previous December with the Vet because of a spinal injury and had endured frequent hospitalization for a variety of complaints.  She came to us with a 1/2 inch thick medical history.  Some of the notations included Depressed, too weak to stand, poor prognosis, unable to urinate/defecate, no appetite, not drinking, must be hand fed.  Ailments included a neurological problem, acute urinary tract infection, possible incontinence etc. etc.  Her date of birth was November 1993, no day. So we made her birthday Thanksgiving!

Sassy arrived in Dallas from Seattle; and her excellent foster Mom, Candi Marzano who had started Sassy on her new life journey.  Upon arrival she exhibited the true Kerry spirit and wanted to explore everything she could.  We introduced her to Murphy-Blue (our other Kerry) at our local park and all walked home.  We never had any problems between Murphy and Sassy.  We decided that as she was now in Texas, this sweet girl needed a middle name.  Hence Sassy-Sue was born.  We read all of the medical reports and discussed all the medicines she had been taking.  We took her to our local Vet, who did a complete review of her medical records and gave her a complete examination.  He just shook his head and said; don't know what to tell you, this girl has had some major problems.  I will help you all I can but I don't really know where to start.  We suggested taking her off all the medication, and give her exercise and good nourishing food and see what happens.  We did and she flourished.  She was without a doubt the sweetest and gentle dog that every one wishes for.

After about a year she became very sick and we took her to our Vet who recommended the North Texas Diagnostic Clinic to see a specialist regarding liver conditions. We were lucky to be introduced Dr. Erika Pickens whose gentle care brought our Sassy back after a week in the hospital. Sassy was diagnosed at this time (March ’05) with chronic progressive liver disease (hepatitis), gastrointestinal ulcers and pancreatitis. We started a regime of medication and supplements. As many as 13 pills at various times throughout the day, Sassy finally recovered and became her old self. She periodically had to have blood test in order to keep her liver readings in check

We added another Kerry girl to our gang from the Shelbina rescue, Katie Drew, in March 2006. With Sassy’s help and quiet nature, she helped Katie overcome some of her insecurities. Sassy loved to steal the other Kerry’s toys. She would grab them and take them to her area much to the dismay of the other two.

Our Sassy was with us just under 5 years, but it feels like we had her from the beginning. She would quietly lay her head on your knee when she knew it was time for her lunch. Like hey where’s my dinner. On walks she would spot a cat a mile away (with her good eye, her other eye was damaged) She would have been 14 on Thanksgiving Day 2007. We will all dearly miss our ‘absolutely precious’ girl; but we know she is running around with all the other Kerries at the end of the Rainbow Bridge! Stealing their toys no doubt!

Tom & Kathleen Sawyer,
Murphy Blue and Katie Drew (Duchess of Coppell)
Coppell, Texas