On the 29th, Lady Gretchen Greer turned 17. She’s my longest lived dog by far, and we’ve been through a lot together. Most of her life she was gripped by anxiety, but through it all, she always chose to be with me.

She went to work with me as a pup, and again in her “early senior years” at Colonial Auto Center.

She went to the gym with me also at two different gyms, The Gym and New Perspective Fitness.

She’s shared her home with three other dogs, but only loved Sissy. I think she likes Lily more than she cares to admit, and Lily is still inviting Gg to play (and getting rebuked) daily.

She’s always loved walks, and at one point was running up to 6 miles with me.

Cushing’s and/or doggy dementia has changed her personality. She’s not my snuggly little clinger anymore, but she still seeks me out and will sleep near wherever I am, and once in a while, she’s awake looking for me when I come home and I get a happy welcome home.

She’s blind, losing mobility and her mind, but she still loves to be outdoors, loves to eat and has no trouble finding the kitchen. She still tries to pop up on her haunches, and will bark up a storm when she wants her next meal.

I love her independence and lack of fear. Other dogs shut down as they lose their vision and/or their minds, but not Gg. She’s living her best life, stomping around, bossing her people and Lily around and just generally doing what she wants.

I don’t know how much time we have left, but as long as she’s happy and mobile, we’ll keep catering to her every whim.