Zinnia first came to Bishop Maginn High School to start her therapy training when she was 12 weeks old. I thought the breeder might kill me or go and yank her back, she said it was too young. I apologized and waited a bit longer.

The first person  Zinnia saw there was Sue Silverstein, a rabid dog and animal lover (she has a pet chipmunk named Alvin who lives in her garage and has grown fat on unsalted peanuts).

It was love at first sight for Zinnia and Sue.

Sue was holding a bag of treats, a stuffed toy to chew, and a bowl of water.

Sue became Zinnia’s official Godmother.

She loves Zinnia so much (she refers to her as “my dog,”) I warned her that the dog has a computer chip embedded in her fur (the one the anti-vac zealots believe is secretly implanted in all of the vaccines by Bill Gates or maybe Jewish laser operators).

I would know where to look if she disappeared, I said.

I was kidding, of course, but the love was and is very real. Zinnia goes wild when she sees Sue waiting for her at the school front door every Tuesday.

I never see her as excited as when she and Sue are together. She is also pleased to get into the homeroom and get all those hugs, kisses, and french fries. She settles down after a few minutes, of course, she is chill, as the students say.

The love between Zinnia and Sue is powerful and beautiful. I am grateful that Zinnia can experience this love from someone outside of the family. This has reinforced her trust and ease with different people.

I’m not sure Sue would let me in the building if Zinnia weren’t there, and I’m not going to push it to find it.

Sue always has treats on hand, and they never last long. She hands them out to students.

Dog love is beautiful love wherever you find it.

The crazier the world gets, the more we need it. Sue and Zinnia are one of the great dog, his and people love stories

When Zinnia is in the room, Sue makes sure every dog phobic student gets to meet her. The two have slipped scores of kids who were afraid of dogs. Zinnia brings smiles to every unhappy face she sees.

P.S. I’m posting my weekly profile of a Bishop Maginn student tomorrow morning, his name is Terrell and he has a powerful story to tell: