An old adage says, “trouble comes in threes.” If that’s true, the Ronald Berzett family of Anderson should soon be able to look to brighter days.

First, Berzett had his left hand reattached after completely severing it in a home repair accident June 29. A month later, Berzett and his two of his children, Krislynn, 10, and Dustin, 5, were seriously injured in a car wreck. The same day as the wreck, someone shot the Berzett’s yellow Labrador retriever “Susie” in the face, blinding her in one eye.

“They say the good Lord doesn’t send you more than you can bear,” said Pat Berzett, Ron’s mother. “But my husband (Don Berzett) said the other day he was going to have a talk with God and tell him we were ready for it to stop any time.”

Krislynn and Dustin were to have stitches removed and consult with a bone specialist on Wednesday as they continue to recover from the August 1, one-car wreck on Alabama 99, according to Pat Berzett. She said that Ron Berzett continues to recover from surgery to reattach his hand, but as a result of the wreck, he now has 40-plus stitches in his ear and head, compacted discs in his spine, and a fractured jawbone.

“The doctors have told him he can expect to have a lot of pain in his arm from the reattachment for at least two years,” she said. “He just has to keep on with the therapy.”

Berzett now is in a body brace from his wreck injuries.

Krislynn’s wreck injuries included a fractured collarbone, two broken pelvic bones and severe lacerations to her knees and legs. Dustin suffered two fractured pelvic bones, left eye nerve damage and some minor bleeding around the brain.

With the family’s understandable concern for the well being of the children in the first few days after the wreck, they did not realize their dog had been injured.

Pat Berzett said neighbors took food and water to the two dogs, Blackie and Susie, but Susie would not come out from under a shed. When at last Susie crawled out, Jennifer Berzett, Ron’s wife, saw that nearly half her face had been blown away.

Jennifer Berzett took Susie to local veterinarian , Jack Goodman, who closed a gaping wound below her ear and tried to save her right eye that had two shot pellets lodged in it. The flap of her ear still contains numerous shot pellets, but Goodman said it would cause her unnecessary trauma to remove them. This past weekend, Goodman had to remove the eye because of infection, and while he had Susie—affectionately called “Su-Su” by Goodman’s office staff—under anesthetic, he spayed the 1-year-old Lab.

Because of her loving disposition, “Su-Su” has become a favorite of Goodman’s office. She is even allowed to snooze on a blanket in the reception area. Employee Meg Boesch is especially partial to Su-Su, often taking her home at night for a little “group therapy” with her four dogs. Boesch has fashioned Su-Su an eye patch and a beaded necklace.

When Su-Su hears her name, she immediately rolls her remaining eye and her tail begins slapping the floor. “Look out now,” says Boesch, “She’s coming at you for a cuddle.”

Sure enough, Su-Su, although still loopy from anesthesia, squirmed over and laid her head in a visitor’s lap.

Goodman stopped itemizing charges when they neared $1,000. A fund has been set up to help with Su-Su’s medical expenses. Those wishing to contribute to the fund may do so by mailing it to: Athens Animal Hospital, 1119 U.S. 31 S., Athens, AL 35611, in care of “Susie.”