Chapter 20: The neighbors who stole Thanksgiving (and Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

Part 2 of a 3-part series The following Thanksgiving, Jazzy seemed almost embarrassed to bring yet another soggy letter. “Again?” Kickie said, shaking her head. “... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 19: The neighbors who stole Thanksgiving (and Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Part one of a three-part series When my father’s dementia became too much for Kickie to deal with, we decided it was time to move him to San Francisco. He met Kickie shortly ... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 18: Today I stop guessing (and give you my heart)

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The morning of Skylar's elbow dysplasia surgery, I was second-guessing myself. "Am I doing the right thing?" I asked Steve as we loaded Sky and Blue into the car for the drive to Mill Valley.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 17: The fear of history repeating itself

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Unfortunately for Skylar Grey, I am a more paranoid pit bull parent than ever after what I went through with Jazzy.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 16: Letting her go

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Sept. 1, 2014, was the second anniversary of Jazzy's death from cancer. I still think of her every day, I still miss her every day, and I still find myself crying more often than I'd like to.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 15: Diagnosing Skylar’s Pit Bull Pillow Panic Syndrome

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

I know you’re an emotional girl It took a lot for you to not lose your faith in this world I can’t offer you proof But you’re going to face a moment of truth It&#... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 14: Of Chillows, children and Chihuahuas

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Jazzy had a big, bold personality with an independent streak a mile wide. She loved children more than any dog I’ve ever known. If she saw a group of them playing in the park... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 13: There’s no psychiatrist like a puppy licking your face

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Steve and I met while I was the community manager for a company called eFrenzy during the first San Francisco tech boom. I say first because, as we learned in 2000, what goes up mu... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 12: Beach baby

Jazzy never had any interest in fetching unless I threw her toy in the ocean. She swam like a champ, using her tail as a rudder to keep her big butt from sinking below the surface. People were always amused: "I didn't think pit bulls liked to swim," they'd say. ... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 11: A bed for Little Blockhead

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Hold on, to me as we go As we roll down this unfamiliar road And although this wave is stringing us along Just know you’re not alone Cause I’m going to make this place your hom... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 10: The five faces of Skylar Grey

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Though Skylar can be shy, she has never been camera shy — which is a good thing because I take so many photos for this column. When it came time for her My Mutt poster, Pet Food ... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 9: The land of low-hanging fruit

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

It’s not what you look like, when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’ It’s what you’re doin’ when you’re doin’ what you look ... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 8: Dancing in the moonlight

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The drive down to San Jose to meet Grandma Kickie for the first time was a breeze; the car was still the place Skylar felt most comfortable. We stopped at a dog park a few miles away because I thought it was a good idea to work off some of that puppy energy.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 7: Karma is a bitch named Skylar

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

On a June day in 2009, I called Steve. "Come over and meet my foster puppies," I said. "It's gorgeous out. We can sit in the garden and have cocktails." When Steve arrived, there was a pitcher of martinis and three four-month-old pit bull mix sisters.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 6: Teacher’s pet

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

As we entered the classroom at SF Puppy Prep on the first day of kindergarten, Skylar Grey was excited to see other puppies but terrified to leave my side. I was trying to juggle her leash with one hand and hold a dog bed under my arm with the other.... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey