Sugar Maxine Harmer-Leubecker May 27, 2004 – November 27, 2019

To the Editor,

Sugar, our precious Pomeranian, also known as “the Heart,” crossed the rainbow bridge on November 27, 2019 — exactly 15½ years after she was born. Soon after we adopted her, she was hospitalized for hypoglycemia. Vets advised that this runt of the litter was not worth keeping, but the bond between mother and dog had been formed, solidifying their unconditional love as well as Sugar’s reign as not only a loyal furry companion but as a “dog with nine lives.” She would go on to survive nine plus near-death experiences: a stroke post-knee surgery, multiple emergency-room visits because of her sneaky love of chocolate and those dreaded Fig Newtons, a host of neurological issues, and a front leg that seemed purely ornamental. Functionally, she was a three-legged dog who never once complained about her physical challenges.

Sugar was the most special creature. She was small in stature (seven pounds at her heaviest), but her brilliant orange fur made her appear larger, and formidable. She could put a Lab in its place with one bark. She never, ever sniffed other dogs, but she loved sniffing humans’ calves. She refused water that was not fresh. She looked so elegant, yet she ate her poop for years, and, when at the beach, she’d eat sand. She liked best sharing a seat with her mother and staying close. To know what she was thinking, you just needed to look into her eyes. They told you everything.

At age 11, she welcomed wholeheartedly the addition of our son, Freddy, and forged a relationship around play and sharing crumbs. Sugs endured his sudden movements, and later Freddy learned how to be gentle. He called her Suggie.

In her heyday, Sugar attended most Swarthmore farmers markets, parades, and Memorial Day events, and even collected a few ribbons from the Swarthmore dog show. Before we moved from Rutgers to Yale Ave, Sugar had a specific walking route starting at the post office, stopping at Executive Cleaners to say hi to John, cruising along Park, passing H.O.M., waR3house3, and the dentist, before heading back to Rutgers. In her senior years, the backyard was plenty of adventure.

Many who knew Sugs also knew she was not a people person, but she fulfilled the role of unofficial therapy dog. Anyone who ever saw her couldn’t help but smile. She brought joy to so many through the countless photos her mother took and her annual Christmas card. No dog was more photogenic or photographed.

Since her passing, we’ve realized that dogs teach us to be loyal, to love unconditionally, to have compassion, play, and live in the moment. Some may think when you have a dog, you are taking care of them. But, we’ve learned, all this time, through every major life event as well as the mundane, she has been taking care of us. We miss her beyond measure, but we know she is at peace, running and wagging her tail. 

John, Katie, and Freddy Leubecker 
Swarthmore