Happy Birthday Ashie!!
Our original black toy poodle, Ashes, turns 16 today. 16!! She is so precious. I can't believe she made it to 16 - what a miracle!!
I remember when we first got Ashes. We drove out to the run-down house where she was living with her mom and three brothers in a cage in the backyard dirt. Her three brothers were jumping and climbing all over her and Ashie was curled up in the bottom of the pile, shaking. I was only 10 at the time and didn't realize it, but she must have been miserable. The lady disentangled her from her brothers and handed her to me and I held her close to me - she was so tiny she fit into my cupped palms. I was 10!
I fell in love with her immediately. My dad said "We'll take her" and I have never been happier. We went back and got her as soon as we possibly could. I don't even know if she was 8 weeks old when Dad went to get her. My dad went himself...now I realize that he probably didn't want to take me back there. She was so little - just a baby. At first, we had her sleep in the basement in her bed, and she would cry and cry all night long. Soon, she was sleeping in my room, and cuddling with me in my bed before we were ready to go to sleep. One night, I fell asleep with her on my bed. That was it! She slept with me for awhile but before long, she was sleeping with Mom & Dad. She's been sleeping there, curled up between my mom's legs, for nearly 16 years.
She was a bright, vibrant, active - even hyperactive - bouncy little dog. She ran and played with us outside, exploring every inch of our huge backyard. She played soccer with a ball three times her size. She shook and fetched and was the most pathetic little beggar you've ever seen when anyone had any food - especially during family dinners. She was fiercely protective and ferocious despite only being 7 pounds and chased a tomcat off of her yard who could have easily turned around and probably killed her. She loved - still loves - affection and attention. She's a purebred, smart-as-a-whip little poodle who I love so very dearly.
About five years ago, she started going blind. She lost weight and got much more feeble, but she eventually got used to her blindness, and after a professional teeth cleaning a few years later, she eats again and gained back half of the 2 pounds she lost in the beginning. She can make her way from the kitchen back to my mom and dad's room all by herself at night. She's taken a few tumbles down the stairs but got right back up - praise God! - and kept on going.
It might seem silly or strange, but I admire her so much. She is living proof - 16-year-old dog proof - that determination and vivacity of spirit can overcome even what seem like the most insurmountable odds. She is the queen of the house, and she is, like the song I always sing to her - our song - my sunshine.
Happy 16th Birthday, Ashes!!! We love you!!
(I've called Lottie Ashes at least three times this week. I think I miss her.)