Happy Fake Birthday, Layla!

Between the military, 3 kids, and other boring things I find amusing I don't write about our furry friends much. Or ever. But, we do have 2 4-legged furry creatures who call this place home too, and sometime around now one of them is celebrating her 14th birthday in human years.

She's a dog. So that's what, 105 in dog years? I never did key into that calculation or logic. Anyway.

I literally have a draft of a blog I started back in September titled "What. A. Dog" in preparation of our having to take Layla out to pasture. But, like the cat with 9 lives, Layla is still alive and kickin'. I'd say thriving, but I think that's a slight overstatement. Anyway, I decided rather than only write a tribute to our incredible dog with tears in my eyes and stained on my desk, why not give her a big shout out in honor of the 4th anniversary of the year she should have died?

We were told when she was 10 that she likely didn't have much longer, so we have been awaiting her impending death for 4 years now. Do you know how awkward that is? There have been so many times we've looked at each other, hearts in our throats, and gave each other the "it's almost that time" nod. You know the nod. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I think Layla knows the nod too. I think she's seen us do it every time, and I think it gives her the surge she needs just to get back up and fight some more.

Layla is the best dog. I know everyone says that. Owen Wilson even joked about it in the movie Marley and Me. So maybe, it's possible, someone else out there has a better dog. But truth be told, I've yet to see it. What makes Layla the best dog? I think it's her heart and her patience. She's patient when William climbs on her back. She's patient when Charles pulls on her tail. She's patient when Loretta uses her as an aid to stand up. Most of all, she's patient when the 3 previously mentioned minions make me forget I haven't fed her in 2 days and her water bowl has been licked dry.

She's not perfect. She's got a sweet tooth, and a carb tooth, and an anything-human-within-my-reach tooth. And if you think there's anything OUT of her reach, you're in for something. I once tucked Austin's birthday cake in the corner of the kitchen counter, back in the verrrry back part of the corner, and had it barricaded by various items to deter her. What did I come home to? A PERFECTLY cleaned cake pan sitting on the kitchen floor. You would never have known I had baked a cake in it that morning. There was also the time she hid half of a brisket in Austin's recliner, saving some for later I can only assume. And there are  countless stories of friends who dog-sat her who feared she'd die on their watch, only to find she has enough kick in her step to reach bread, pizza, brownies, or anything else left on the counter.

Why, just this morning I came home to my pampered chef baking stone shattered on the floor because I absent mindedly left the biscuits sitting out when we ran William to school.

She's got a stomach of steel and can handle anything. Chocolate chip cookie brownie fudge layered dessert? 5 pounds of smoked brisket? A WHOLE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN, cooked, bones included? Yep, she can handle it like a champ.

Despite her eating habits, she is the most loving, patient, forgiving and likeable dog I've ever known. She protected me from thugs on the street corner when Austin was deployed, she nudged me for hugs when I cried in lonliness, she has welcomed home all of our babies (with only slight twinges of jealousy) and she is loyal to Austin no matter how many times he leaves her.

Layla is the best dog, and I am not sure if I'm not astonished or thankful that she's made it this long. I would say I think this is her last birthday, but I've thought that for the last 5 years. So, I bet she's got a few more in her. In any case, happy fake birthday Layla - in honor of whenever the real one is. We love you!