Welcome to Dogoppo! Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Susy Smith, an avid book author and a devoted dog parent. With a lifelong passion for dogs, Susy has a heartwarming tale to share about her furry companion and the joys and challenges of being a pet owner.
HELLO SUSY SMITH, WELCOME TO DOGOPPO. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DOG PARENT?
I’ve been around dogs my whole life. I can’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t had a dog around. In grade school, I read Where the Red Fern Grows and I remember desperately wanting a Redbone Coon Hound like the protagonist, Billy Colman. Then I started reading Jim Kjelgaard’s Big Red Series and decided I wanted an Irish Setter. However, when I was a kid, our family mainly adopted strays.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR DOG AND HIS/HER PERSONALITY?
My dog is a Min Pin and if you know anything about the breed, her personality far exceeds her little body. She thinks she’s a Doberman! She’s sweet, loving, and wants all your attention, but she’s also got an ornery streak a mile wide.
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR DOG’S NAME?
My dog’s named after Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter Series. It’s a fitting name and she’s garnered many nicknames from it! My youngest daughter calls her lunatic, I call her loony tunes. You get the gist.
The Harry Potter Series is a family favorite, and I wanted to name her after one of my favorite characters.
WHAT’S THE MOST MISCHIEVOUS THING YOUR DOG HAS EVER DONE?
There’s so many, it’s hard to choose. I guess I’d have to say when she stole my silly putty. I use silly putty like people use fidget spinners. Anyway, I’d laid it on my nightstand and when I came back to get it, it was gone. She’d taken it under the bed where she and her “brother” Gabe sleep. Well, it got stuck in Gabe’s long hair (he’s Pomeranian and Chihuahua). That poor dog ran around with silly putty on his backside for weeks! It was so embedded, we couldn’t cut it out until his hair grew.
WHAT’S YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE TREAT?
Luna’s favorite treat is Duck Jerky. She can jump like a Jack Russell Terrier and can almost reach the counter where I keep them. I’m waiting for the day I get home from work and find that she’s gotten them off the counter.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A SPECIAL MOMENT YOU’VE SHARED WITH YOUR DOG?
When I was sick with Covid, Luna would come and lay on my chest. She stayed by my side until I recovered.
WHAT’S YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE TOY? WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT BEING A DOG PARENT?
Luna’s favorite toy changes every week, I think. She has two baskets that are full of toys. Depending on her mood, she might play with a ball for a day or two, then change to her Bugs Bunny toy or something else.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR DOG HEALTHY AND HAPPY?
Min Pin’s love food, treats, anything really. They love to eat. I have to watch how much she consumes in order to keep her at a healthy weight. Regular checkups at her doctor, routine heartworm meds and flea meds are a must. It doesn’t take much to please Luna. She’s the highlight of my evenings.
HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE BECOMING A DOG PARENT?
I think for me personally, my dog has taught me how to be more patient. Min Pin’s can be challenging, especially during potty training.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO’S CONSIDERING BECOMING A DOG PARENT?
Research the breed you’re thinking about getting and determine if you can accommodate what that particular dog needs, if it will fit in with your lifestyle, etc. A Min Pin can be exhausting. They’re always busy. If you want a chill, laid back dog, then a Min Pin isn’t for you. A dog is a lifetime commitment. Some people don’t realize that. You will be their parent for their entire lifespan. It’s a rewarding experience.
