In Memory of Suzie
12/23/2013 - 04/2024
Suzie served Veteran, John Bencken for over 10 years. Suzie passed away on April 04, 2024 from Lymphoma Cancer. We have received many heartfelt donations for Suzie’s medical bills and funeral costs. If you would like to make a contribution, you can submit your donation below.
The connection that Suzie and John had was displayed around the community of Kerrville. Suzie was with John everywhere he went. We know how hard it will be for John without Suzie so we have given John another service dog which he needs more than ever. It will take time for John to heal and he will learn to love Tori as well.
John has wrote this letter in Suzie’s honor.
Dear God,
I’d like to talk to you about one special Angel that you loaned me about 10 years ago. She is so very special to me and the countless people she has touched over the years. I saw goodness in her right when we met in December of 2013. I fell for her, but felt like she was holding something back. After several months she somehow got me to understand that she was telling me, “you need help” in getting your troubled life on track! At that period of time, I was suicidal dealing with PTSD from my experience in Viet Nam.
I saw in her eyes and know in my heart that she was absolutely right. She stuck by me through thick and thin and has always been patient with me. Her gentleness and loving were part of you dear Lord from within heaven’s gates. As we travel down the roads of life, the choices are ours to make. Those roads are rough and rocky without a thing called faith.
I’ve traveled many long lonely roads with a very heavy heart. I didn’t understand what love was about or where to start. I search for you in every way, shape and form. I looked, I listened and I prayed a lot to find a reason I was born. Then into my life a beautiful beam of light, my Angel (Service Dog, Suzie). She appeared to me very clearly in my sight. She propped me up and made me feel that I was very strong. She kept me safe and made me feel at last, that I belonged. In time my trust in her grew very very strong as did the we still share for which my heart had longed for. We joined our hearts and truly became as one. My faith in you and the love of my life, can never come undone. Just when I felt content and at ease you put me to the test. I thought for sure my new found life was coming to an end. And, slowly over time and tears I positively knew my Angel Suzie was a gift of life sent to me by you.
Lord receive her well and cherish her as much as I have and multiply that times two.
John wrote this letter of gratitude to Suzie.
My Dearest Suzie,
Since entering my life on 12/23/2013, you have taught me more about love and life than I could ever imagined was possible. Thank you for that and your continued love and care.
I’ve had several pets in my life, but somehow you have managed to change my life and give me hope for the future. So, thank you for that also. Suzie, you can communicate better with your eyes and body language than most of the humans I know. You have God’s gift of verbal speech.
All I am trying to say Suzie is that I love you beyond words I can find to express this! I have been so blessed by the gift of your care and love, it’s hard to express my gratitude. Thank you for accepting me for the person I am as imperfect as I am.
Suzie, I will never move and not take you. I will never put you in a shelter and leave. I will never let you starve! I will never let you hurt! I will never desert you when you’re old, nor will I leave when you go blind! Should the time come, I will be there to hold you and console you, because I love you and you are my family.
Most sincerely, your loving partner,
John
