My First Baby Turns 10!

Can you believe I am the mother of a 10 year old? Me neither. Way before there was Mark or Finn or Philadelphia or New Jersey. Way back when, there was just me . . . and Lily. Lily was born on Sept. 17, 2001 . . . one week after 9/11. I was working down in St. Simons, selling advertising, living in a hotel and feeling pretty lonely. So naturally, I got a dog. Found an ad in the paper, showed up at the lady's house and picked out the runt of the litter. I named her Lily because she was as white as a sack of flour. And so began our journey together. There were ups and downs for both of us (eating my cashmere sweater was not her finest hour), but I cannot imagine life without my Lily.

Lily made every move I made: from our humble beginnings in St. Simons, back to Bremen, and finally to Charleston, where our lives really started to take shape. In Charleston, we both came back to life. We both found the beach (ironically, Sullivan's Island was the place to go with dogs!), a great job, friends, and of course, a husband. Then came Philly and New Jersey and then Finn. Sometimes it feels like life didn't begin until Finn came along. Or maybe, that I can't remember what life was like when we used to sleep in and go out on Saturday nights? Lily was a trouper . . . she took her place in the back seat and never once resented Finn or took out any frustrations on him. I like to think she loves him, even though I catch her rolling her eyes at him quite often. She has been the best dog I've ever had. She is so patient and loving and loyal, everything you could possibly want in a dog. She is wonderful with all kids, but especially Finn, who has been known to dress her up, ride her, crawl over/under her, step on her, throw food at her, drink her water and eat her food, usually with a smile on her face. All she asks for in return, is a belly run and maybe a game of fetch with a tennis ball.

Lily finally has her yard. It took her 10 years to get it, but it's a great yard and a great porch and she is queen of her yard. She is slowing down some, but has MANY more golden years ahead of her. At the vet this week, the doc had the audacity to call her senior! I had to cover her ears. She limps and struggles to stand sometimes, but I think it's just an act . . . take her to the beach and she's a puppy all over again.

I love you my Lily and I'm looking forward to our next 10 years together.

Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of her "puppy" years. Or I do, but not digital ones, but you can only imagine how cute and fluffy she was. Here are just a few of her first 10 years . . .