We are so thankful LuLu is 8 today!

LuLu is 8 yrs. old today. Yesterday my grandson Grant was also eight. Grant's parents don't talk to me, so I don't know him. So I'll talk about LuLu instead.

LuLu is my best friend. She came to live with us when she was six months old. I had recently lost my Rottweiler Cinder to cancer, and I felt badly that her brother Roquee (Rocky) would be alone (dog-wise). So, I took him to a friend's house who had pups and let him choose the one he wanted. He chose LuLu.

Rottweilers are very smart. We all say that about our kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, whatever - but she is. After so many years, our pets pick up on our signals even when we don't realize we've given any.
LuLu was spunkier than the two dogs before her. These were my first real dogs as pets. But we got through the puppy stage and LuLu settled in beautifully.

In June of this year, my dad died. Going to his Memorial service was difficult. Difficult that I was saying goodbye to my dad and difficult because LuLu had awakened that morning and could barely walk. I hated to leave her but I had to. I left the after luncheon a little early so I could get home to take LuLu to the vet to see what was wrong. I got her into the car and off to the vet's we went. The vet just looked at her and recommended a neurologist in L.A. I'm not a wealthy person and that was a bit out of my league. That in no way determines the love I have for my dog. I asked the vet if this were his dog, would he put her down. He sort of mumbled and looked at me as though treatment were not an option for her. I had already had a highly emotional day, and I felt that if I stood there one more second I was going to do that heavy sobbing thing that feels like you've been kicked in the chest and will never be able to stop. So I got out of there and brought LuLu home.

From what they did to her at the vet's, she could walk even less by the time we got home. I put a towel under her tummy and would pull her up and guide her outside so she could do her business. I made sure her bed was really comfortable and brought her - her food and water. If I had thought LuLu was suffering, I would have made other decisions, but the front of her was okay. She was happy, she'd lay on her bed and would play with her toys and roll back and forth. So, I thought we'd just hang in there and see what the next day would bring.

Each day it seemed that LuLu would try one more thing. And each time she did added something to her routine, I was surprised and pleased. You get used to your pets doing their regular things. All of a sudden for them to stop and have to a new way of living - it's tough. I have tile floors so I bought a bunch of runners and put them to make paths for her. It seemed to help that she had that stability rather than slipping on the floor. She's always slept with me, so I didn't want to leave her alone in the family room while I headed into the bedroom - so I bought one of those inflatable beds and slept beside her each night. I put it next to her bed and could pet her as we both dozed off to sleep. A non-dog person would read that and figure I was over the top - a dog love would immediately understand and would do the same thing.

LuLu is now about 85% back to normal. She had gotten up to 99% but she's slipping a little. She got too spunky and while bouncing around the room she slipped. She's back to just laying down all day and getting up only when she has to. And while petting her last night, I found a huge tumor on her chest. It's higher than when I rub her tummy and more fleshy than hard. I'll take her for a check up this week - to a new vet I've discovered - after Baby the Bullmastiff ate the junk out of the fly trap that the wind blew off the hook. She spent last weekend at a sleep over at the vets. The fly trap wasn't poisonous - the flies weren't a good thing to eat.

So, today we celebrate that LuLu is eight years old today. We celebrate her determination that allowed her to be here to celebrate. And we'll be thankful for each new day that has LuLu in it.

Happy Birthday LiL LuLu!!!