Tag Archives: Spice Rack Cavaliers

Posted in opinion

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN

By Comments:32 Comments

By Suzanne Sparrow Watson

“When you lose a dog, where does all that love go? The routine, the way they filled the quiet spaces in your day—what happens to all of it? They may be gone, but those feelings remain, lingering like a shadow searching for a place to settle.” Robert Drake, Dog People

Dash the Wonder Dog

There is nothing like the love of a dog. Who else loves so unconditionally, without expectation for anything in return except a warm lap, a long walk and meals (served on time)? When I sent Dash the Wonder Dog to Rainbow Bridge on December 5th, I knew it was the right thing to do for him, but it created a hole in my life that was almost unimaginable. Just 16 months after losing Alan, the loss of Dash rocked my world. For the first time in 50 years, I had no one to care for – no one who counted on me for anything. Dash died on a Thursday, and by Saturday night I realized that I didn’t want to live the rest of my life without a dog. And specifically, I wanted another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. And, just to put a fine point on it, I wanted a puppy. I realized that getting a puppy at my age was a triumph of hope over practicality, so I researched articles about getting a dog later in life. Almost all recommended getting a senior dog – one who was housetrained and had grown out of the puppy stage. And let’s face it, one that won’t outlive you. But then I ran across an article from the WSJ: “It Was Crazy to Buy My Aging Mother a Puppy. It Was Also Brilliant.“, by Kathie Roiphe. In it, she recounts how the puppy energized her mom, lifted her spirits every day, and brought purpose to her life.

Bolstered by that piece, the following Monday I contacted Dash’s breeder, Kelly Collins of Spice Rack Cavaliers. She normally has a long waiting list of people who want her well-bred dogs, so I expected I would have to wait months, as we had for Dash. But such was not the case. Kelly told me that she had a litter due in two weeks and that I could have one of them. It felt like a gift from Heaven. Kelly said Alan and Dash would be happy I was opening my heart to a new dog, and I believe that. The puppies were born on December 19th, two boys and a girl. As luck would have it, I only live two miles from Kelly, and she asked me to watch them the following day for a couple of hours so she could fulfil a commitment. Holy smokes! How lucky could I get???

Those puppy dog eyes!

Over the next six weeks two more litters were born, and I got to watch over all of them several times. It was both fun and a blessing, as I got the know the personalities of the dogs in “my” litter. Late in January one of the boys came over to where I was standing and curled up on my shoe. I knew instantly that I’d found my guy. I had already picked out a name – Dashing Doolin, call name “Dooley”. The name is partly in tribute to Dash, and partly in memory of a fun town I visited in Ireland. Dooley has developed into a beautiful puppy, and I can tell he has already outstripped my IQ level. He was the first to learn how to get out of the pen and the first to navigate the dog door so that he could come and go as he pleased. But he is also wonderfully affectionate. One day as I was babysitting, I put all three of the puppies in their pen, with the door open. I sat on the couch around the corner and the next thing I knew, he was waddling over and asking to be lifted up onto the couch. Who could resist? He immediately cuddled up on my lap and then looked at me with quintessential “puppy dog eyes” (picture, left). I can assure you; no one has ever looked at me like that!

Last week I took all three of the puppies to Starbucks in a stroller. If you ever want to meet people, take three puppies to Starbucks. They were good as gold, and since then I have brought them home a couple of times for an afternoon of play. But today…today is THE day that I get to pick Dooley up and bring him home forever. He is already mostly housebroken and sleeps through the night. That said, he’s a puppy and will no doubt put me through my paces over the next several months. But in just the short time I’ve been with him he has already brought me joy and my heart is once again full of love. I couldn’t be happier. Welcome home, my sweet boy, Dooley!

My sweet boy

Dogs provide the kind of love that finds you when you need it most, and somehow, without words, makes you whole again. Dog People

Posted in opinion

R.I.P., DASH THE WONDER DOG

By Comments:38 Comments

The Dash Watson family is saddened to report that Dash left this world and reported to Rainbow Bridge in the early morning hours of December 5, 2024. He died peacefully, in his mom’s arms, wrapped in his favorite blanket that she knit for him.

Dash in his 49er uniform

Dash was born on November 16, 2012, in Scottsdale, Arizona, part of a litter of five boys.  His official AKC name was Spice Rack Divine Dash but later earned the nickname “The Wonder Dog”.  He was adopted by Alan and Suzanne Watson on February 3, 2013, which also happened to be Super Bowl Sunday, with the 49ers playing the Baltimore Ravens. To commemorate the special day, Dash was outfitted with a 49er collar. It didn’t matter – the 49ers lost. The fact that Suzanne, a life-long Niner fan, let that roll off her back offered a glimpse into how much Dash would change their priorities and their lives.  

Dash was educated at PetSmart (he said it was the Harvard of dog training) and received his degree in Canine Good Citizen.  He promptly leveraged his education by going to work for Pets on Wheels in Scottsdale where his chief assignment was to visit the Care Center at Vi Silverstone each week.  He was roundly loved by all who encountered him, from former TV host Hugh Downs to a WWII veteran who looked forward to snuggles with Dash, while recounting his 50+ missions over Europe. Dash’s bag of tricks included his ability to twist, turn, lie down and give paw.  His routine brought smiles and delight to the residents, who never tired of seeing his act, no matter how repetitive it was. After three years of work Dash decided to take early retirement.

Dash with his WWII hero

In retirement Dash loved to accompany his parents everywhere, from Sunday brunches at their favorite restaurant to long car drives to Sun Valley, Idaho and Mammoth Lakes, California. He particularly enjoyed Sun Valley, where he charmed everyone he met and remembered from year to year which stores offered dog treats. Dash’s hobbies included sleeping, eating, begging for treats, and looking cute. His true passion was lying on the couch. Alan, who resisted getting a dog for 25 years, was smitten with Dash from Day One. He loved having a buddy to keep him company, insisted on being the one to feed him, and against all previous promises and agreements, brought him into bed each night. You could always find Dash and Alan on the couch, sitting hip to hip. This ability to turn Alan into mush is what gained Dash his nickname of “The Wonder Dog”.

Later in life Dash’s main job was taking care of Suzanne. In part this entailed pouncing on her at the crack of dawn each day and giving her face a good licking. Not an easy job, but he was up to the task. He tolerated it when she nestled into his fur each night at bedtime to regale him with a recap of their day together. He was always a true and loyal companion and brightened her life in immeasurable ways. He lived up to the reputation of Cavaliers being the “comfort Spaniels” over this past year.

In the end, he was struck down by heart disease and cancer.  Even a “wonder dog” couldn’t overcome these two diseases.  He was predeceased by his father, Alan.  It is now strongly believed they are sitting together on a couch, hip-to-hip, with Alan once again explaining the finer points of hockey to Dash. He is survived by his devastated mom, Suzanne, but will always be curled up in a corner of her heart.

Contributions in Dash’s name should be made to your dog of choice in the form of A-level treats, extra belly rubs, unlimited toys and quiet moments enjoying the best company known to man.

Rest in Peace, Dash the Wonder Dog.  You were truly the best boy.

Posted in opinion

OH, FOR THE LOVE OF DOG

By Comments:18 Comments

By Suzanne Sparrow Watson

This month we have the confluence of two events – Dash’s 5th birthday and Thanksgiving.  Since so many of our readers are animal lovers I am dedicating this week’s blog to dogs – something for which we can truly be grateful.

Dash with Daddy on his first day home

“If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”  Roger A. Caras

I lost my last dog in 1983 and longed for one every day after that.  I desperately wanted to replace her, but my husband kept pointing out that with our work and travel schedules it just wasn’t fair to the dog.  Frankly, I think he just didn’t want to pick up dog poop, but I had to admit he was right – we were too busy.  Still, life felt empty without a dog.  Finally, in 2012 we dog-sat for our kids while they were on vacation and, to his credit, my husband saw how much I loved having a dog by my side.  He told me to start looking for a puppy.  Much research later, I was referred to Kelly Collins of Spice Rack Cavaliers.  When we went to interview her (and her, us!) I was a bit nervous about how my husband would react but my worry was misplaced.  Within minutes, seven Cavaliers jumped on his lap and he was immediately reduced to baby-talk and dog hugs.  We were lucky enough to get a dog from an upcoming litter and in February 2013 Dash the Wonder Dog entered our lives.

    Dash at work

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an empty space we don’t even know we have.”  Thom Jones

People ask why I refer to Dash as “The Wonder Dog”.  It’s simply this – he has changed our lives for the better since the day he joined our home.  My husband who really didn’t want a dog?  Now he won’t leave Dash alone for more than three hours.  He and Dash conspired not only to have Dash sleep in our bed but to have his own pillow.  I have seen the most wonderful side of my husband in his caring for our sweet little pup.  For me, nothing soothes a bad day or a friend’s slight like walking into the house and being greeted by Dash’s wagging tail.  Even if I’ve just gone to the post box, he runs around as if I’ve been gone for weeks.   And it’s not just us that he helps.  Each Saturday I am his Uber driver that takes him to work at a local elder care center.  It’s safe to say that just a lick on the nose or a gentle stroking of his soft fur provides comfort like nothing else could.  If that doesn’t qualify as a Wonder Dog, I don’t know what does.

       Patiently waiting

“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.”  Andy Rooney

Our friends now joke that they have a high bar to meet in order to get us to go out to dinner – is it a more attractive offer than staying home with Dash?  That is a slight exaggeration, but only by a bit.  I will say that Dash has had a way of helping us prioritize our time.  Before we had him, we pretty much accepted every request for dinner or party invitation.  Now, we really do wrestle with whether we would rather spend our time with the people involved or Dash.  NOTHING is better than Dash curled up next to me, sometimes resting his chin on my leg, but I do realize that we could easily become hermits if we stay home with him every night.  Still…the sight of him waiting for us at the door whenever we go out breaks my heart.  And there’s not many people at a cocktail party who will do that!

 

Cooper and Dusty –  together in Heaven

“So this is where we part, My Friend, and you’ll run on, around the bend…And as you journey to your final rest, take with you this…I loved you best.”  Jim Willis

It is so heartbreaking to lose a dog.  We have lost two in our family this year.  Good dogs, who brought so much joy and love.  Unfortunately, that is the deal we enter into when we get a dog – we know from the outset that they don’t live nearly long enough.  Still, the joy of having one outweighs the grief.  Or as someone said, owning a dog will bring you many happy days and one horrible one.  Which is why, every day, I try to appreciate Dash and all that he brings to us.  He gets lots of belly rubs, blueberries and all the toys he can rip through in 10 minutes.  Spoiled?  You bet!  But it’s not like he’s going to grow up to become an axe murderer.  He never asks for money, the car keys or breaks his curfew so I figure there’s no harm.  Plus, that’s part of the joy of owning a dog – especially a Wonder Dog.

This being Thanksgiving week we would like to wish you and yours – and your dogs – a very happy Thanksgiving.  And while we have a great family that gets along, I leave you with this final quote in case you are dreading your Drunk Uncle over the holiday:

“Dogs are God’s way of apologizing for your family.” Anonymous