The Old Lady

So, that is what they call me now. The Old Lady. Ok, I guess in many ways I am. And for the record I have earned the title and wear it proudly. I am 9 years old, and although it may not sound old to you, in big dog years, I am getting up there. I am the oldest one here and have been here the longest. I command a certain amount of respect, not only from the others but from the people as well.

I am pretty set in my ways. Nobody really messes with me. They leave me be to eat and to be outside. I even have the people trained. For example, when they call us all in from the outside, the others are not allowed into the rest of the house. They are restricted to the porch area and family room. When they call us in, they have put a gate up that blocks the way to the rest of the house. The others don't even know there is another part of the house.. But I do. When the call comes, everyone rushes in, but not me. I peek my head in the door to see the status of the gate. If the gate is up, than I remain outside, preferring to be outside by myself than cooped up with the rest. They will call me and beg me, but I refuse until they realize the gate is up. They then will take the gate down and I come in happily to run into the other part of the house where I can go where I please. I can even motion a bit with my head and they will respond to my request. I have them trained pretty well.

I sometimes try to venture up the stairs to where the people sleep. This is hard for me because of my bad knees, so mostly I remain down in the living room on the carpet. Unless we have a thunderstorm. They frighten me and when they come I drag myself up the stairs to sit by the people while they sleep. That makes me feel better and not as afraid. And if the storm is really close I try to climb in bed with them. I always go on the woman's side, she tries to help me up even though the man says no. She is nicer than him, I like her better.

There are a lot of us here. But many of them come and go. Mostly puppies. They stay for a while and then other people come and take them away and I never see them again. I don't get too attached to them because they will probably end up leaving anyway. So, I just do my thing. I find a cool place to lay in the shade outside and I find my own private spot in the house away from the others. The people don't ask too much of me anymore. The others, they get baths and go to dog shows and training classes, but that is all in the past for me. I just lay around and watch their lives while I enjoy mine. And mine is pretty great.

But... it wasn't always like this...