WELCOME HOME LILLY!!!

On Friday afternoon, this beautiful young doggie became ours. We had to wait until she was spayed this morning, but this afternoon, after a very long 4 days, Lilly finally came home to live with us. With her new collar (pink with rhinestones :) and her very tired little body, she made the 25 minute trip sleeping like a log on the blanket covered seat in Ron's truck. We have been waiting for this day for what seems like forever...I think since the moment Shelby went to sleep in the vet's office...our hearts have had such a hole in them. And yet, they needed time to prepare for a new furry friend...and time to honor the memory of Shelby. But today, we are complete again. She is sleepy and yet each time one of us glances Lilly's way, her tail thump thump thumps on the carpet.
Not everyone is a dog lover, but when I think of the furry friends who have kept Ron and I company in our nearly 37 years of marriage, I remember the devotion of Tiger - our first dog, a buff cocker spaniel - who listened with us to the winds and snow rage during the Blizzard of '77 and who kept "watch" over Scott and Laurie when they were babies. And there was Ginger who stayed by my side on the sofa when I was seriously ill and needed surgery, and during the recouperation period. And finally, Shelby...the dog Laurie chose before she went into the military and who went camping with us, and weathered her fair share of winter storms and summer heat. Shelby who would patiently sit by our closed bedroom door during the summer while the window air conditioner cooled our room off and would pounce on the bed as soon as one of us opened the door. Shelby who licked my face and seemed to say "it's ok, mom" when I shed the tears of Laurie leaving for basic, for the Middle East, and the losses of Ron's mom, and both of my parents, and who was the gentlest dog who ever lived.
But now, Lilly is standing next to the couch, just standing there, while Ron scratches behind her ears. As she gradually gets her "sealegs" and recovers from the effects of the anesthetic, her tail thumps against the side of the couch.
Welcome home Lilly. You will be loved...I promise.
Blessings and love to you my friends.
Sue