Ely

In celebration of a year with Ely I wanted to write an update. Ely is
a pretty wonderful little beastie. She is the sweetest little dog you
can imagine and I am forever amazed that she spent the first part of
her life in a cage popping out babies.
She is so gentle and loving. Several times she has gotten to a point
where I think she is perfectly adjusted to life as a real dog then she
takes a leap forward and becomes more of herself. Karen, my dog
sitter, comes by once a week on a day that I have to work early and
she notices it also. Last year I wrote about how when Ely runs she
looks like a spring lamb just leaping about with joy. This spring
that changed, She still does that joyful leaping but this year she
started running flat out and she is fast. When she first came to live
with me she couldn't run for any length of time.

Last summer she was afraid when I would wear a long dress or skirt.
It no longer fazes her. She is just so much more relaxed and knows
that she is where she belongs. She and Tess really enjoy each other
with mock battles and chasing. She does not really understand balls,
but after playing with Tess and their friend Georgie Girl, two ball
crazed Doodles, she is getting the hang of it. Occasionally when we
are out walking she will find a soft ball from the nearby ball
diamond. She is so proud of her find and carries it home, stopping
occasionally to chew on it! I have not gotten her to stop chewing my
shoes and have lost more shoes to her teeth than I care to remember.
I am getting better at putting my shoes away, but occasionally forget.

Ely still eats lying down with her bowl between her feet. I wonder if
she had to eat like that when she was caged. She is a chow hound. I
do have to watch her or she will eat Tess' food too. Today, for the
first time I saw her rilling in the grass. That is something Tess
loves to do, but I had never seen Ely do it. She really conks out at
night. When we are out walking and she is not off exploring Ely walks
right at my heel the same way Billy used to do, in my blind spot. I
almost have to turn around to see her. Sometimes I think that she is
channeling Billy.

Ely is so special. I feel honored that she came to live with me.
Thanks for getting us together!