Susan has dedicated over forty years of her life to working with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families. Darla was a long awaited gift to Susan for her 40th birthday. Susan always wanted an Old English Sheepdog as a child.

Darla was born in Netarts Bay, Oregon and lived a long, happy life until the age of 13. Susan currently lives and teaches in Bend, Oregon. The Adventures of Darla the Deaf Dog is Susan's first Children's Book.