A Completely Non-Political Post

Happy Birthday, Fiona

Today is Fiona’s 14th birthday. This is the photo I saw of her on the PetFinder site, when I fell in love with her.

She was at a rescue in Illinois, and they weren’t going to let me adopt her because they had never, EVER, given a dog to anyone outside of a 45-mile radius around the rescue.

I was undaunted. And committed. I got my neighbors to sign a petition that I was the best dog mom in the neighborhood. I presented references from my vet, a number of friends, and even business associates. At that point, they allowed me to fill out the application which involved, among other things, a financial statement to show I could afford her. They sent someone to inspect my house.

Finally, my Republican counterpart¹ and I drove to Illinois with Fiona’s layette to get her and bring her home.

Fiona was a joyous puppy with several medical issues. She had “congenital cataracts” and she could see very close, and also far away, but from about 6” to 2’ she couldn’t really see. At first, before understanding the problem, I suspected she was intellectually limited, but once an accurate diagnosis was in place, I was able to work with her and she provided a great lesson to me. No matter what your limitations, work around them, and find joy.

Fiona grew up into a spectacular dog. Smart, fast, well behaved. She has had, her whole life, an uncanny ability to work with people (especially kids) who are afraid of dogs. She approaches, instinctively knows to roll over in front of them. Finally getting to the point where they can pet her, she can lick them, and their dog-fear is erased.

Fiona took up politics later in 2011, working the voter registration table with me. For a reason I don’t fathom, she likes to poop on Republican signs that are at ground level. GOOD DOG! She posed for this 2012 bumper sticker:

She has always enjoyed her friends:

Fiona went to day care, where she was part of “The Little Rascals”:

In her 13th year, Fiona developed an inoperable adrenal tumor. Also, arthritis in her hips. She can no longer run like the wind. In a terrible situation for any Jewish mother, her weight started falling: from 56 pounds to 44 pounds. She refused to eat, and she refused her medication.

BUT

It turns out that there is an injectable arthritis medication she cannot refuse, and it has been like a miracle. Fiona can now run (not far, not fast, but actually run) as well as go up and down the stairs.

She is now hand-fed homemade meals (with her adrenal medication snuck in) and has gained back 2 pounds. She gets as many snacks as she can handle, since she was born celiac, we’ve always needed to be careful. But she’s finding food yummy again.

And so, HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY FIONA!!! You are my princess; you have my heart.

1. I look forward to the day when the GOP goes back to being a party instead of a cult, and we can work together again.