She's A Grand Old Birthday Dame

It's hard to believe, but it's true!  Fifteen years ago today, Lilac, or WW Line if you prefer, was born into a litter of nine puppies, the only female of the litter.  After a career as a racer, she gave up the track life to have two litters of puppies of her own before hopping on a hauler from Kansas and heading to Illinois at the tender age of seven and a half.  The minute she got out of the crate to come home with me that night, she wrapped her head around my neck and squeezed.  That quickly, SHE decided that she belonged with us, although  it took us several months to realize it.

When we decided to adopt her, she was considered a senior dog.  I actually got a discount on her adoption fee because it was adopt a senior month and she'd been here for four months without any inquiries about adopting her.  Mr. Taleteller and I reasoned that she'd probably only be with us for a few years before she passed away and that she deserved a quiet home where she'd know that she was loved and could be spoiled. 

Ha!  She outlived both the hounds that we had before her who were younger than she was.  Now Mr. Taleteller believes that she'll outlive us all.  I see her getting more frail this past year, after her scary incident a year ago.  Still, I have to say that we realize that every day with her is a treasure.

If you haven't yet shared your life with a senior dog, I hope that someday you do get to experience it.  I say that in all sincerity.  Yes, it is hard to see them age and struggle with things, but there's just a certain sweetness that comes along with an older dog.  She enjoys simple pleasures and she isn't afraid to ask for what she wants.  I can never refuse her, either.  If she were human, I suspect she'd be a bit like Mae West.  She's sassy, opinionated, brassy and fearless.  Getting older hasn't tempered her spirit any, nor has it made her any less shameless.  While the rest of our hounds will hang their heads in shame at just the thought of being caught in a misdeed, Lilac will look you straight in the eye and dare you to be upset with her. 

Today, we celebrate fifteen years of a life well-lived and hope that everyone else out there shares in our happiness.  May you all celebrate as many years with a beloved canine companion.  Our journey has been a sweet one and we wouldn't trade a minute of it.  Although, we would appreciate it if she'd give us a few more minutes of sleep.

Lilac would like to send her thanks to Frankie, Beryl and their mom for sending her Vegemite to try!  She is pleased as punch that she got a card and present from New Zealand before any of the others have.  We'd also like to thank Doggie Stylish for sending her a collar for her birthday.  She's mainly just happy to have the day all about her, and trust me, she'll be even more spoiled today than she already is!