Happy Schliff

11/13/09-7/13/23It is with great sadness that I write this to inform others that I've lost my best friend, my doggie - Happy. I adopted this adorable puggle when she was 3 on 11/13/12 from the Dutchess County SPCA. She had three different names ' Ginger, Bailey and Baby before I met her but I changed her name to Happy. It was the perfect name for her!Being with her made me (and so many others) happy every single day. I've had dogs my whole life (RIP Tuffy, Sandy, Tara and Angel) but I never was attached to them as I was to my Happy girl. At first, she was my pet, then my doctors (who help me navigate from my brain tumor damage) helped me get her to be my ESA (Emotional Support Animal). But due to emotional episodes through all the changes that COVID and other things caused, they got her to be my service dog. She went absolutely everywhere with me (except public restrooms) for quite a few years.We both have similar, quirky personalities but hers was so much sweeter! She was well known at my church, local restaurants, doctor's offices, hair salon appointments, movie theaters, meetings I attend, nursing homes that we visited during COVID to wave to the patients at their windows to help them not be so lonely and so much more!I have received over 100 cards, presents, plants, flowers, meals, desserts, letters, emails, texts and calls to help me deal with the absolute hardest thing I've ever dealt with. Everyone who knew her witnessed how she could calm me down with one paw swipe or lick. She sensed when I became triggered by others who do not understand my unique behaviors.She comforted my dad on his death bed, protected me during an abusive relationship, attended support groups for brain injury, made 'people friends' everywhere she went and so much more! As one sympathy card writer wrote ' 'Happy and you were such an amazing team. What a huge hole her absence has left in so many hearts'.She passed way too quickly after having 10 seizures in just 2.5 weeks! The final 6 were all on her last day. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was one more example of something we had in common. I just learned that she is about to receive a special award from Senator Hinchey for her helpfulness around Ulster County.Since she left us, I've seen butterflies every single day (real ones, toys, tattoos, clothing, newspapers, on TV and more). I know this is God reminding me of life after death. I will miss her forever. I pray she is having fun in doggie heaven watching us from above. A huge thank you to Lake Katrine Animal Hospital's Dr. Cody, Dr. Halstead, and their staff, as well as all the help we received at Upstate Veterinary Specialists in Latham. You all did your best taking care of her and I during both good and bad times. So now Happy...I have to keep myself calm. Thank you Happy girl for giving me the BEST 11 years of my life!Love, Mommy (Janet S.) https://www.lastingmemories.com/happy-schliff