October 23rd was Gretchen Greer’s 16th anniversary of her gotcha’ day, or as B said to Gg, “It’s you and Mom’s 16th anniversary.”

The 24th would have been Sissy’s 17th birthday. Forever wouldn’t have been long enough with that girl. She had more personality than any single creature needs, but her sweetness is what everyone remembers.

The 24th was also Lily’s annual vet visit. It’s odd that she’s only been to the vet four times in the nearly two years we’ve had her; for new to us/pre-spay/6 month puppy visit, her spay surgery, and then two annual visits, last year and yesterday.

(Gg goes about that many times in a good year. Twice for her Cushing’s testing, an annual visit and usually at least once more for a UTI or some other issue.)

Make no mistake though, Gg is living her best life. While I wouldn’t wish Cushing’s on anyone, somehow, the mix of Cushing’s, dementia, slowly going blind and all of her other issues has finally given her relief from the crippling anxiety she’s battled her whole life.

In her feeble old age, she is her most savage Jack Russell Terrier. She is fearless. While other dogs with even one of her newer issues are literally paralyzed by anxiety, my hot mess is finally free of hers. She walks into a wall? No problem; she shakes it off and tries another way.

She’s not a snuggler anymore. I do miss that, but it’s a small price to pay to see her living anxiety free. She’s losing muscle and mobility, but she still loves to be outdoors and will stomp around the yard, and occasionally takes a little, slow walk with me. She still enjoys having visitors, eating, and even enjoys a car ride now and then. We’re committed to giving her as many happy days as we can, for as long as it makes sense for her. Happy best life, Gretchen Greer!