Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Our Girl is Seventeen

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1-4 birthday girl

She’s Seventeen!

Yes, our little girl is seventeen years old today.

We found her when she was 11 months old – on December 4th, as a matter of fact – at an animal adoption fair north of San Diego. She was being walked and was coming in our direction. Don saw her, immediately stopped and dropped to his knees, and said, “Now, there’s a girl!“

She had been rescued from somewhere in the California desert.

We took her home, gave her a bath, introduced her to Winston and this ball of fire completely enchanted us. (We discovered that a border collie has lots and lots of energy and is very, very smart.)

Since then, she’s traveled across the country in a car, she’s lived on both coasts, she’s been a wonderful sister to her two brothers, and she’s been the best daughter ever. She’s brought great joy to our lives.

And she’s been with us almost our whole married life.

When we lost Winston suddenly, she kept us going.

When we lost Riley, she kept us going.

She has charmed everyone she has ever met. She loves people. She’s pure LOVE in the form of a dog.

She’s frailer than she was when we took this picture last year. She’s much frailer. The last year has seen dramatic changes in our girl. So many conversations center around missing something she used to do but no longer does. She doesn’t pounce anymore. She stopped jumping up on the loveseat a couple of months ago. She no longer happily runs to meet me when I come downstairs in the morning. We miss seeing her famous smile. The light in her eye has dulled, but it’s still there if you look closely.

But she’s still feisty and demanding. She still loves to eat. She still sniffs the ground when I let her outside in the early morning. She can still aim that ‘border collie stare’ at me when she wants something. She’s still and always will be our girl.

Happy Birthday, beloved girl. You’re seventeen today! Mom and Dad love and adore you and there just might be some extra treats today.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Comments

  2. Many extra treats due on this wonderful birthday – Scout is so sweet, thanks for sharing her interesting history with us today. Claudia and Don, you are the best ‘parents’ any dog could wish for.

    Happy Birthday dear Scout.
    Love, Mary

  4. Happy Birthday Scout!
    Your description of Scout reminds me of our Aussie, Molly. Herding breeds are such special companions. Molly, too, smiled and communicated telepathically with that stare into my eyes.

    • Winston was an Aussie mix, so we saw that in him as well. They are amazing.

      Scout says “Thank you, Carolyn Marie!”

  7. Happy Sweet 17 Scout. We hope you enjoy your day with your special treats. Sending much love to you,

    Charlene, Ransom, Halle and Ebby

  8. Happy Birthday, Scout! Seventeen is truly a grand accomplishment. I feel sorry for people who’ve never loved or been loved by a dog.

  9. Happy birthday Scout! What a beautiful girl you are. Our malamute/white shepherd mix Typhoon lived to be almost seventeen. Like Scout he slowed down at the end. We had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him when my husband had to hold him up so he could go to the bathroom. You could see he hated the loss of dignity. It broke my heart to let him go. Now we have Lola, a rottweiler/weimaraner /lab/pit mix. She moved in with our adult son and stayed on when he moved out. She’s in doggie middle age and quite a character. It’s amazing how much pets add to our lives. So many times they rescue us when we think we’ve rescued them.

  10. happy birthday and every day, dear scout! i hope you feel good and happy, enjoy lots of treats, sunshine and being with your family.

    hugs from kathy in iowa

  11. Happy Birthday Dame Scout. MANY happy returns of the day. Miss Bella hopes she can enjoy as long a life as you are enjoying, and her mom is shedding tears of joy at your great life! (Her mom is a softie.)

  13. Happy Birthday Scout! Here’s hoping you really enjoy all your treats today, and enjoy all the hugs you’ll be getting from mom and dad! You bring them so many smiles! ;)

  14. Happy, happy birthday Scout! Enjoy all the extra treats today and all the extra loving you’re going to get from mom and dad. You are a beautiful girl.
    Blessings, Betsy

  16. Happy Birthday Scout! Hope your special day is filled with lots of treats. I know it will be filled with lots of extra love.

  19. Happy Birthday, Scout! You are a very lucky fur-babe. Enjoy the treats!

    (Wanted you to know I’m about half way through Susan Hill’s The Various Haunts of Men … WOW … I see why you like this series so much. I may be hooked.)

  20. ?Happy BD sweet Scout!!!! From me, Bear & Izzy and ~ Mo, the cat!!!
    All 3 of you have happy smiles going on in the picture!!
    I hope the day is filled with treats, hugs, and making a few new memories, and remembering the ones you have already made. Thanks for sharing her wonderful story. Rescues are the most loyal and loving animals we can ever have. I think that in most cases, they actually rescue us when they come into our lives. ?

    • They do indeed. All three of our dogs have been rescues and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

      Scoutie says “Thank you, Chris!”

  22. Happy birthday dear Scout!I’m sure your day will be filled with lots of kisses and hugs from your mom and dad but my fourteen year old cat Lulu and I want to send you a huge kiss in this special day! Don’t forget to demand some special treats from your mom you deserve them for being such a good girl!
    Love from Alicia ,Buenos Aires!

  25. Bentley and I wish your girl a very happy and special birthday! Seventeen years of devotion and unconditional love is a true blessing. Give her a kiss from me.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  27. Happy Birthday Scout! You are a beautiful girl and have brought your parents much much love. I wish for you a day of hugs, pets and lots of treats. Charlie says welcome to 17! He also has slowed way down this year. I treasure each moment with him and will until the end! We are going to celebrate with you today.
    hugs,
    Linda & Charlie Kitty

  28. Happy Birthday, Scout! Have the best day with your Mommy and Daddy, who will continue to spoil you and love you whole-heartedly. You give so much to them….there’s nothing like loving and being loved by a special animal companion! You and Don have a wonderful celebratory day with Scout, Claudia!

  29. Seventeen years is quite an accomplishment, Scout! We hope you have a marvelous birthday that is filled with your favorite things :)

  31. Your Scout is Special and made even more so because she has two caring and loving owners. I can’t imagine abandoning a pet in the desert , but the timing of you and Don being at the rescue fair when she was, was a Blessing for all 3 of you! “Happiness is a warm puppy”
    Happy Birthday to Scout!

    • She is an angel, Elizabeth. We were all blessed on that day.

      Scout says “Thank You” for the birthday greetings!

  32. Love & Congratulations to the three of you! That’s a gorgeous picture … a memory maker. She is a beauty. I love Collies of any kind — they are so smart and lovable. You have a gem.

  37. Loved hearing your Scout-ography! What tales she could tell! Poor sweet little pudder, lost in the desert. Well, she definitely found the very best parents she could, that’s for sure. And bonus! She’s a Capricorn, one of the longest-lived of all the signs. So have a wonderful b-day, Scoutie – many, many warm, comfy, treat-filled days still ahead… ?

  39. Happy Birthday Scout, you are such a sweet baby, my Maggie says ruff ruff!!

    Many hugs ((((hugs))))

  41. Happy 17th Birthday Scout…I still wish I could pet that beautiful soft white fur…so you tell Mom & Dad to do it for me and include a big hug..Love & kisses Miss Scoutie..

  42. My husband had a border collie once upon a time, when we lived on a ranch. She was the smartest dog I’ve ever seen. When we had to sell out and move back to the city, my husband gave her to a neighbor who loved her and had lots of cattle to herd. It was hard, but the best thing we could do for her at the time. Happy Birthday to your sweet special girl.

  44. Happy birthday to Scout! 17 years is certainly a testament to your love and care for her. Wishing you all happiness!

  45. Happy Birthday to Miss Scout! I know it was a special day for you and Mom and Dad!
    I love this family picture !

  47. Happy birthday beautiful girl!! 17 is an accomplishment! You have a splendid life and deeply devoted family and many friends from around the world. You deserve all the love and care possible.

  48. Happy Birthday Scout!! I am so glad you are still making your mom and dad happy campers. You may be feeling your age a little, but you are still gorgeous!

  50. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
    SCOUT, you most BEAUTIFUL girl.
    Hope you had a really fine day and a song from your dad.
    I love you

  51. Happy belated to Scout – your precious girl. Dogs add so much to our lives, don’t they?

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