Today, June 29, 2009, we lost a special part of our family. We lost Ms. Sassy Smith, which was the miniature dachshund that traveled the roads with Rickie Smith for 16 ½ years. No one could ever forget Sassy. We are going to reflect on Sassy’s life as we think she saw it.

I was born in Texas as a runt with lots of brothers and sisters. My owner at that time was Eddie Hill. About, 8 weeks later I was picked up by Matt Smith in Houston, Texas, at the NHRA drag race. I was taken from my Texas home to a new home in N.C. I went to the shop everyday with Matt and Rickie. It wasn’t long until I was on the road traveling almost every weekend to the dragstrip to do a little racing. There were a lot of joyful moments and some moments we probably want to forget. I always got to stay in the best hotels in the world. It was just a chore getting in there sometimes. I would crawl in my daddy’s bag and just wait to get off the elevator to my glamorous room. I always got any kind of food I wanted. I would always get a little bite of everything, even Larry would give me some beef jerky. I always knew when it was time to go racing again because dad would pack his bag, and I would be doing circles in the floor because I knew I was going too. I got to fly a lot of places also. Daddy would put me in a carry-on bag and here we would go to another race. The last two years, me and daddy drove the big truck more than we would fly to the races. I would always sit in his lap the whole way. I loved the races because I met so many people. Everyone would come by and see me. I always got toys and treats for Christmas presents. I know I was very special because all the other dogs had to stay outside. We would visit each other occasionally, but I always got to go back inside and sleep in the bed with my daddy. I did have a sister that stayed with us. Her name was Sally. She was brown, and I was black. We had some similar features but different colors. Sally enjoyed playing with her ball and I just enjoying hanging with daddy Rickie. I had the best life a dog could ever have. I enjoyed going racing all over the country. I love my family a lot and miss them dearly. I am in heaven now, and I know one day we will be together again.

Godspeed Sassy Smith January 1, 1993- June 29, 2009… You will never be forgotten… Rickie, Nancy, Matthew, Amanda, and Melissa.