Most herding dogs think their job is to keep creatures moving. My dog Lucy, a mix of several herding breeds, never gave this job a thought. What she was born to do was greet anyone she thought would be her friend. This greeting job was primarily carried out with a cadenced and enthusiastic bark and the wagging of a full-on tail. She ignored cattle when we walked through Dave Martin’s pasture in the morning, but when the time came to announce her presence, to say hello to her friends, to communicate her wish for a treat, she showed amazing talent and intelligence.
Library patrons would all look up when Lucy came through the door with her joyful greeting. Mostly this brought smiles, and whoever was behind the desk would stop whatever she was doing and get Lucy a treat. Global Arts, the post office, High Noon Feed, Sonoita Hardware, the visitor center, Donna and Ron Reibslager, all were on her radar.
Whenever I was on duty at the visitor center, Lucy would lie in wait for the next passer-by, jump up and deliver her greeting. This charmed many strangers. They often asked if there were any more where Lucy came from.
Last winter she didn’t always get up for this ritual greeting. It was clear that she was aging and her hips were wearing out, but she always wagged her tail and welcomed a friendly pat on the head.
When we moved away, Joyce Sander and Ken Ludwig adopted Lucy. I worried that she was too old for a trip back east and an entirely new living environment with attendant stress. She transitioned easily to a household with cats, two caring adults, visiting grandchildren and plenty of walks and good food. As ever, she was loving, joyful, observant and smart.
Yesterday, on July 20, exactly three months after our departure, Joyce called to say that Lucy hadn’t been eating and could barely stand up and that no medications were making any difference. Dr. Rojas, who saved Lucy’s life when she was bitten by a rattlesnake, helped her out of this life, and if there’s any image that has helped me through this last sad day, it’s imagining Lucy at the pearly gates greeting each new arrival.
I can never thank Ken and Joyce enough for taking Lucy into their home and their hearts. And thanks to everyone whooffered love back to this little black and white dog spirit.