Birthday Boy

Flash turned 15 today.

He and I spent most of the night together and he has been extraordinarily active today despite the heat. This explains the big yawn as he was preparing for his evening walk.

Luna alongside is miffed - really miffed. Not only is she not the centre of attraction but also because she had to go to the vet this morning and have her broken off toenail attended to which included a bandage over the foot AND having to wear a shoe!

When she got home from the vet, she refused point blankly to get out despite the real high heat and lack of air in the garage. I had to carry her to the house and put her on her bed. She lapped up the strokes and sympathy but only as long as I stayed by her side. She didn't stay long but returned to the very dark furthest corner of garage floor where nobody could see her.

It remains a great mystery to me how two dogs of the same breed come have 180° different characters. However, we love them both.

I have written enough about Flash over the years - like every dog in the universe he is unique. And as some will know, I have condemned him a few times in recent years but the stubborn boy won't give in. We know he is living on borrowed time - a Border's average age is 12, old ones get to 14. Most die of cancer and he has had that when a massive tumour was removed a few years ago along with his spleen. We simply thank whoever it is that controls such matters, for every day he is with us. Some days are hard with great doubts about whether he should be allowed to carry on but always it comes down to that look in his eyes which always say the same thing "Where is there work to do?"

Happy Birthday you stubborn old control freak, and loyal friend.