Laci

Laci came to me just barely at a year old. Some former high school and childhood friends, Chuck and Angelia had been high school sweethearts who later married. Shortly after they had acquired Laci as a companion for their son, Conner, Chuck was diagnosed with brain cancer. And for reasons that no one can explain, the State of Georgia constantly denied Chuck's attempts to be declared as disabled, putting the family in a financial nightmare in trying to pay for Chuck's medical care, causing them to surrender the puppy that they had hoped would grow up with Conner.

Not long after they surrendered Laci to me, Chuck passed away, leaving behind a grieving widow and son. Over the years, Angelia has stayed in touch with me, occasionally checking in to see how Laci was doing. And Angela was one of the first people that I contacted when I knew that Laci's time had come.

Shortly after Laci came to me, she became very attached to me. At the time, I hadn't yet decided that she would become one of my personal dogs, and I attempted to adopt her on three different occasions. While none of the adopters knew each other, they all returned Laci shortly after adopting her due to the same reason. Laci did things like bolt out an open door, playing a game of keep-away when the adopter tried to catch her, destroying window blinds or furniture while the adopter watched in disbelief or some other bad behavior that led each person to deem her as a "smart-butt" dog. Each time she was returned, Laci would nestle up to me as if to say I was going to be stuck with her for the rest of her life. She did whatever she had to do to remain with me, and I am so glad she did.

When Walker came into my life, Laci basically took him under her wing and helped make him the great dog that he became. I watched in disbelief one day as she literally taught Walker how to jump fences, something she did often as she loved to chase deer through the woods. Teaching him this "bad" trait led to Walker jumping a fence in order to save me after I was trapped and attacked by another dog. Over the years, Laci and Walker became almost inseparable and the best of friends, even joining Walker and I on numerous trips to New Jersey until making the trips became physically difficult for her to make. Laci’s last trip to New Jersey was in March, 2023, less than a month after Walker’s passing.

During one of Laci's fence-jumping episodes, approximately 13 years ago, she disappeared and I'd thought that she had simply ran away. After being gone for a week and just before a nasty winter storm hit our area, we did find Laci in the woods. Her front left leg was dangling from her body, still attached by only a thin strip of skin. She'd been shot, most likely by a hunter, and the bullet entered her body just behind her leg and completely blew out her armpit area. How she survived the amount of blood loss was a mystery to our vet, but even stranger was the fact that Laci was back to attempting to scale fences just a day after she returned home from her leg amputation surgery. Learning quickly that it took all four legs for her to scale a fence, Laci decided not try that again! But loosing a leg never slowed her down in any other aspect as she managed to run as fast, play as hard and love just as much, if not more, than any other dog. In fact, if Laci were outdoors and you turned your back on her for a second, she could disappear into the woods to chase deer.

Laci has served as the unofficial "Queen of SoCo" for a number of years, often welcoming into our fold those dogs that I, personally fostered. And with each addition to my personal pack of dogs, Laci became their "step-mom", mentor and friend. And her diabolical plan to present herself as nothing more than a "smart-ass" dog paid off handsomely for both she and I.

Over the last few years, Laci began experiencing mobility issues, but until recently, she still was able to get around. But her overall health declined rapidly over the past couple of weeks and I knew last week that our time together in this life would soon come to an end. We spent last Saturday night just cuddled up in my bed, spoke of her being greeted by Walker once she arrived at the Bridge and of how much love and appreciation I have always had for her. While I've spoken of Walker often, and he was truly the most exceptional dog I've ever known, Laci proved to be the truth to the old saying "Behind every great man is an even greater woman".

I want to say Thank You to all who sent their heartfelt condolences and kind words over the passing of Laci. After 15 years with her, to say she'll be sorely missed is definitely an understatement.

On Sunday, June 22, at approximately 1:10am, Laci jumped the fence that separates this life from the next. She's probably chasing the deer who also reside at the Rainbow Bridge, with Walker looking on in disbelief at how she can still be a "smart-butt" in the afterlife!

Laci Love Bennett, I miss you and will always love you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your incredible life. See you and the others soon.

 Scott Bennett | President/CEO | Southern Comfort Animal Rescue, Inc.