Lovely day for a birthday

I think this is the official 15 year birthday portrait of Queen Zoe:





She is having a day of cake and brisket.

Fifteen years ago phone cameras were not nearly as good and she was in constant motion. The first picture I have of her:



She was maybe a month old.

A little later:



You can see the problem. She was always on the move. This was when we first built the new shop in 2010.

One day I caught her outside when she was standing still:



She and I have walked more miles together than I can count. She had the run of our business and was had 3600 square feet inside and half an acre outside to roam anytime she wanted. We had trees and squirrels and chickens and people who worked for me always ready to love on her and through her life three other dogs and lots of visiting dogs to be with.

She's survived a rattlesnake bite and a skin disease that was, in some ways, worse. And now has dementia and is nearly deaf and can't see as well as she used to.  She's on a regular course of tramadol to control her 'sundowners' anxiety.

But all in all she's had an enviable fifteen years. Never caught a damn squirrel but not for lack of trying. To this day she will tree a squirrel given the chance and keeps our back yard safe from possums and armadillos and squirrels.

She and I do a 25 minute walk around the block a couple of times a day. I don't bother with the leash much. She always knows where I am and stays with me. No interest in other dogs or people.

So, today is a good day to celebrate the 15 years.  The weather is cool and the sun is out.  Couldn't be much better for it.