Birthdays are BIG in our house – for all family members, human and canine. Annabelle is very excited to be celebrating her 7th birthday today. In dog years, that puts her at being a Senior. Annabelle, aka Tinkerbelle, certainly doesn’t look or act like a Senior. She takes after her great grandma Trudy in her youthful appearance, excellent health, and most of all her independent spirit. Annabelle, like Trudy, likes things on her own terms. Just of late, her desire to shave off all her unnecessary fur – for her, a liberating feeling.
The way she out-runs her junior partners Lily and King, so reminds me of Trudy leaping around the perimeter of the hayfield at the age of 13 years with the speed of a leopard. Yes, like great grandma Trudy, she’s choosy about what she eats, too. Annabelle is basically a vegetarian. Her choice for a birthday party treat? A bowl of organic broccoli – above all, her favorite treat. Now, this is where she differs from great grandma who enjoyed Magnolia (recipe from the famed NYC bakery by that name) cupcakes for her birthday. That bit of sugar on her special day didn’t seem to do Trudy any harm, having lived to 16 years, 2 months of age, the longest living dog I ever had.
Here’s hoping the same longevity for you, Annabelle! You’re a one-of-a-kind gal, and we love you because you’re YOU!