It’s a Dog’s Life

My Dear Family,

I took this picture of Rozie on Thanksgiving Day.  Isn’t she beautiful?  As you know, she is probably very old  – maybe 13 or 14 years by all our guesses.  But sometimes, when she has her ears up, she looks young again (wish that worked for me).  I often wonder what she was like  as a puppy though.  As you know, she was  a rescue dog – rescued by our beloved Judi, so Rozie’s  history’s a mystery.

The Games Dogs Play

When Rozie first came to us four years ago, she was still pretty rambunctious (me too).   She was fast on her feet (me too) and would disappear down steep hills (not me) into the woods.  The thought of losing her would leave me panicked and calling her name over and over until I gave up, ready to cry, too hoarse to continue yelling and well –  distraught.

What if she can’t get back up the hill?

What if she broke her leg?

What if she is lost?

What if she ran into a bear?

What if  I can’t get down there to her?

But, as soon as I stopped hollering, the rascal would nonchalantly stroll into view.  I think she was deliberately playing Hide and Seek!

Nowadays she knows her limitations.  She seems to understand that an uphill climb would be problematical since her legs are weak.  We are a well matched pair! But sometimes I know she is wistfully contemplating another escape just for the fun of it.

Peculiar Habits

Bill calls her “Rose” and I had to laugh last week when he asked her, “Are you ready to get your nails done for Thanksgiving Rose?”  He was taking her for a doggie manicure.  When her nails get too long she bites them.  I never met a dog who did that.

I never met a dog like this one anyway.   She is a creature of rather peculiar habits:

• Her teeth chatter (loudly) when she is frightened.  Ever hear a dog’s teeth chatter?  Very strange.
• She also has the ability to whisper-bark.   That means she can bark at  low decibel levels so as not to awaken us in the middle of the night.
• And she pants for attention.
• Oh, and by the way, the anti-depressants are working and she hasn’t tried to jump off the deck lately.  We are watching her carefully for wild mood swings or erratic behavior.

I did want to tell you she may be losing her hearing, and that’s a blessing.  Thunderstorms and gunshots were once terrifying events, but she is either finally ignoring them or does not hear them anymore.  It was hunting season in our part of Virginia on Thanksgiving Day and  there were multiple shots.  Rozie was oblivious.  What a relief that must be for her.  And what a relief for us not to deal with teeth chattering panic attacks (hers, not ours).

All in all, I’m delighted to report that Rozie is healthy, happy, and well loved.

And by the way, we are too.

Love and hugs from us and Rozie to you.

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