[Shoshana]

Okay! I'll share.

The love of my life is my almost-13-year-old black lab named Raven. I got her as a puppy when I started graduate school. We have traveled all over the US -- she guards when I sleep in the car. She is a compulsive over-eater. I finally gave up trying to train her and resorted to training myself (e.g., hiding food). She ate 17 pounds of dry dog food in one sitting. She's also had (at the same time) 18 donuts, a dozen bagels, 4 pounds of butter, even 5 pounds of frozen chicken! And a couple of extra emergency vet trips. She is truly a phenomenal dog. She loves little kids. I used to take her to an after school program and all of the little kindergarten kids would throw the ball for her. Once, an 18 month baby was throwing the tennis ball. He'd drop the ball in a bucket of water and Raven would pick it up in her mouth and drop it back in the bucket. In no time, the baby was dropping the ball from his mouth to the bucket. His mom was laughing too hard to worry about germs!

Two years ago, Raven developed heart problems and the vet told me she needed a puppy. Since she's an alpha female, I needed to find a passive male. Sable is a pound puppy too. I tell people that Sable is Raven's pet. He's Australian cattle dog/shephard mix. He's truly goofy and loves Raven. He spends a lot of time outside, guarding the yard and watching for the errant squirrel or rabbit. When he comes in, he runs right to Raven and gives her kisses. He has kept Raven young and alert in her later years.

Raven tore the ligaments behind her back leg and can't have the surgery to repair it because of her heart. So no more walks, no more fetching (her 2nd favorite activity after eating). I can't even imagine how difficult it will be when she dies. Hope this doesn't sound weird, but I really hope I have my daughter by then because it's going to be awful.

Sorry to go on and on, but I really love my dogs. (as if you couldn't tell ;-)