Chapter 10: The five faces of Skylar Grey

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

Chapter 5: Home alone

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Is that a shadow — or a hole in the floor? And what’s that noise outside my door?? Home alone. On my own … and all alone … — “Home Alone 4,” by D-... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 4: Puppy kindergarten, here we come

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

The day I adopted Skylar Grey at San Francisco Animal Care and Control, executive director Rebecca Katz handed me a new puppy parent packet. As I skimmed through the various handouts, Rebecca said, "You should get her into puppy kindergarten, too."... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 3: Velcro puppy

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Like a Band-Aid, you take the heartache and make it OK No more pain … You take the anger off my brain and the wrinkle off my brow I don’t know how you do what you do, b... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 2: Home is where the car is

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Here in my car I feel safest of all I can lock all my doors It’s the only way to live In cars — “Cars,” by Gary Numan Skylar Grey slept all the way home. She wa... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey

Chapter 1: The itty-bitty pittie

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

People who love dogs often talk about a “lifetime” dog. I’d heard the phrase a dozen times before I came to recognize its significance. Lifetime dogs are dogs we ... Read More

The Adventures of Skylar Grey