Here's an update from Ron and Sue about their lovely Lilley (Lively Spirit) of the Valley (Hutt Valley that is!)
It's now 5 months since we adopted Lilley. Bringing her home in the car she had her nose out the window. Once it was nice and cold she promptly stuck it in Ron's ear. He reacted with a yelp which produced a grin from Lilley, showing her bottom front teeth. It's now one of her favourite games to play in the car. If Ron doesn't react then there's no grin.
On arrival home she did a boundary patrol of the property leaving her calling sign at various spots. Lilley's forever home is 2 storied and at first she wouldn't climb the stairs but persistence finally paid off and she quite happily trots very elegantly up and down.
One morning Ron got out of bed and when he went to put his slippers on could only find one. A limp through to the lounge where Lilley sleeps and there she, fast asleep on her bed, with her nose stuck right inside the missing slipper. It is a regular occurrence now. Strangely she doesn't go for the good shoes just the manky old slippers and sneakers with which she surrounds her bed.
Lilley is now a member of Canine Friends and twice a week Ron takes her down to a local rest home to visit with the residents. There she gets heaps of pats and cuddles, which she obviously enjoys.
There are no children, or other pets, at Lilley's home but she does a good job seeing off the neighbourhood cats who used to use the property as a public toilet.
Lilley gets both Ron and Sue laughing when she does a zoomie round the back lawn with one of her favourite toys, a fluffy duck that quacks when squeezed. She'll throw it in the air and either catch it in her mouth and give it a squeeze, or let it land then jump on it.
Lilley is a very companiable and amusing addition to our home and we just love her to bits.