Hazel came to use during the pandemic. After much lobbying from Eloise to have her own dog, Lisa found Hazel listed for adoption and we went to have a look. She was very shy and barely even looked at us. She was especially fearful of men, I was told, so much so I never even got to pet her before we loaded her up in the truck and brought her home.
She was from the Central Valley, abandoned with a neck goiter outside a shelter in Salinas. She didn’t respond to commands or walk on a leash. I want even sure her former family spoke English to her. She probably lived outside. We’ll never know.
We taught her to walk on a leash. Taught her to ride in a car without freaking out. Taught her it’s ok to eat off the floor and climb up onto to the bed. I’m not certain she ever learned English.
Now she’s leaving us.
Over the past six months, her heart started to fail, she lost a bunch of weight and her condition never really improved. We tried our best, but ultimately she succumbed to the rigors of old age.
She passed in the car on the way to the vet this morning. We will always love and remember our little goofball fondly, even if she was a little different than other dogs.
I hope there’s lots of snacks on the floor for you in heaven Hazel, and stairs to climb up on all the furniture. See you when we get there.
@elpounse
