It's her birthday

and she is nine years young. How can it be 9 years?? This dog changed my life. Literally. I didn’t like animals. I didn’t like dogs. Now, look at me? I am known to pick up strays and take them home (in my car!) or let my home be their home for an evening until we can find where they belong.

I think there would be less depression and more smiley people on this planet if everyone had a dog. She was my first dog, and as everyone knows your "firsts" have their own special place carved into your heart. I have learned so much about life from her. She is the reason I will never be dogless.

Gene Hill puts the essence of dogs beautifully into words:

“He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog.”