Long Hollow

Belle turned 15 in January. So of course we threw her a party with a cake that she and her two nieces shared. 

We've never had a dog this long. And as of right now, judging by how she'll still chase after the neighbor's truck if we let go of her collar too soon, and how she loves to chase her niece Sadie, there is no telling how much longer we'll have her. 

And that's okay with me, of course. All of our other dogs were "daddy dogs" – they loved me, but Tom came first in their eyes. Belle is the first one who has been a "momma dog." She loves Tom, but is truly my shadow. (Well, unless her older brother or sister are here.) She's my coach, my assistant, my guard dog. My best friend. 

We've been through a lot together in 15 years. And with few exceptions, we always take a morning walk, no matter what the weather. 

Ever since Max passed away, she has been an inside dog. Sure, we have hair everywhere, but having her nearby brings me such joy. It makes me regret that the other dogs weren't inside dogs, until I remember how much they loved being outside. And how allergic I was to them when they did come inside during cold weather. For some reason, Belle hasn't had the same effect on me. 

We have a basket full of pills for her and special food, and she occasionally has an accident in the house. Her paws have turned white, with splashes also on her eyebrows and muzzle. Her hearing and eyesight are fading. But her sense of smell is still amazing. If I ask her where Daddy is, she is off on his trail. 

I know my days with her will end sooner than I am ready.

Her sense of duty is strong. She keeps an eye out the front window (when she isn't napping) and barks at the slightest movement, and every evening we do a "perimeter check", circling around the house on the porch/deck before calling it a night. 

She learned from the best, though… her big brother, Max. 

She loved him so much – and the feeling was mutual. She was his puppy, after all. He was so despondent after Charly died, and so happy to have a little sister. 

It was fun going back in time tonight to those first days with her via my old posts, especially  "Meet the Belle of Long Hollow", "Belle, Day 4", and "Getting to Know You". So many photos I'd forgotten about, like this one of Max, Belle, and our guinea Frankie going on a walk together. 

They grow up… and old… too fast, don't they?