This is Penny. She is now our ‘old girl’ at thirteen. According to the seven year rule for every one in dog years, that makes her the equivalent of a woman in her nineties.
She has carried ‘babies’ around all of her adult life – mostly in the form of rocks, pieces of wood, or any bric-a-brac that she could snuggle up to. She would have been a good mother. This has never been more apparent than now. With her stiff hips and slow response time, she has been patient and tolerant of the puppy.
Undoubtedly she would like to ask us why we waited until now to give her heart’s desire.
These rowdy kids today!
She just wants to sit in the sunshine while Gretel – the puppy – can’t be still.
This is why there haven’t been more pictures of Gretel appearing in my blog. She can’t be still long enough to get all of her in one shot. If you could see her head, you would see my son’s tennis shoe dangling from her mouth. She loves to play hide and seek. She hides, we seek.
A rare moment of tranquility. Better snap it quick or she’ll be off to some other adventure!
At five months and fifty pounds, Gretel is growing up fast. I feel like my old best friend is helping me to raise my new best friend.
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A perfect situation for all three of you…the old dog, the young one and you. Seems like that is always the best way.
So true. We are one happy family.
We lost our baby girl Honey (a German shepherd pit mix) on December 10th of last year. The impact of her loss is still on me every day. I do have our new girl Zoe (a pit / whippet mix a little over and a year old) and she sometimes makes me smile. I will love her too. It’s what happens with our dogs. Give Penny every day! She’s a beauty too. Honey didn’t have one maternal bone in her gorgeous body. She was old enough to tolerate a pup, but not young enough to like her. Enjoy your new girl along with your old girl.
I remember Honey and her passing. It is so traumatic to lose a member of your family. Penny has been more patient and tolerant than I would have imagined. She only gets cranky if Gretel tries to eat from her food bowl.
Aw, I’m glad Penny has a “young-un” in her life. I’m sure she’s a good teacher!
(Giving you an award tomorrow!)
Yes, Penny should get the ‘good teacher’ award.
Oh, just hugs for everyone! Gretel looks an awful lot like the German when she was young. Both dogs look really happy. It’s funny how sometimes the older dogs really enjoy when a young dog joins the pack.
Penny used to have more dark coloring in her face. She has ‘grayed’ quite a bit. I can see it most around her eyes. But Gretel has breathed new life into her.
Penny is lovely and that Gretel a cutie. Dogs are the best……thanks for sharing yours 🙂
I knew you would like it. Thanks.
It’s sad to watch our best friends age. Looks like the new pup will keep things lively around your house. 🙂
Patti, lively is an understatement! Gretel is spring-loaded! But she’s a doll and we love her.
Spring-loaded is the perfect description for their energy!
It is always sad to watch our four legged loved ones age. Our “son” Ronson, an Australian Silky Terrier was 17.5 years old when we had to make the decision to let him rest. It was the worst day of my life, but they were the best 17years of my life as well. Your old girl will sure find some liveliness in her she probably didn’t think she had left with the young one around. It’s wonderful for her, and wonderful pic’s. 🙂
Thanks for visiting and leaving the nice comment. Sounds like Ronson had a good home with loving parents. Seventeen and a half is a long life. I hope Penny gets there as well.
i hope Penny is with you for a long time too 🙂
Hi,
Both beautiful dogs, and I sure the pup will keep Penny on her toes. 😀
Thanks Mags.
Gretel is so cute! And as for Penny, she looks exactly like the steadfast loyal companion I’m sure she is.
I love dogs and this post just touched me. Wish you many many more happy years with them 🙂
Thank you so much. I think those of us who love dogs know how important they are in our lives.
Awww. What a sweet story.
Thanks Lee.
I love it…all of you are happy!
Happy and TIRED! Gretel is a handful.
Penny – what a sweetheart. I love that she’ll slow down long enough to be photographed as Gretel zooms by 🙂
on the farm, we inevitably got a puppy and let the old dog do the training. Wasn’t long before they learned to “knock it off” in dog-language 🙂
Great post!
MJ
Thanks MJ. Penny is a sweetheart and has been so much more patient with Gretel than even we assumed she would be. Now if they could learn to get along with the cat….
They are both gorgeous! I just told my hubs when our dogs go we should get a shepard! Love them!
I already left a reply but it’s being weird and saying I didn’t so here goes…
I love your dogs! They are gorgeous.. I just told Phil when our dogs pass I want a shepard next..
Must have had a glitch there for a second. Sorry you had a problem leaving your comment, but evidently it took them both. Thanks for the compliments on my dogs. I think you would be happy with a GS. They are loyal, smart, and easy to train.
Oh your baby has grown…50 lbs. So glad Penny has a playmate and companion. Love your moving target picture.
Usually my ‘moving target’ pictures are blurry. Gretel is quick as lightening. But I thought these turned out well too. Thanks.
Love this! What a great way to bring a new family member into your home, to have some mentoring from the senior dog for the new kid on the block! Beautiful, both of them! ~ Sheila
Thank you Sheila. Penny will now eat her dental bones because the puppy wants them. So I guess it is good for everybody.
Beautiful story. I love it. I hope you are having a wonderful time with the new member and the old member of your family. Penny is looking very innocent in these pictures. Now it’s time for Choco to be the star of your blog once again. 🙂
Thank you Arindam. Penny is a doll. Choco got new shoes yesterday and I brushed a lot of the hair off of him. It won’t be long before he demands his own star billing, as you say.
Oh what a sweet post. Well, a bit bittersweet about Penny. But she looks plenty happy, so all’s well, for a while anyway and enjoy the two of them while you can.
That’s the sad truth. But she is happy and well cared for. I hope she’s around for a long time to come but….
They’re so cute together. I would love to have a dog or two (preferable a wiener dog). Maybe someday when my life calms down. I’ve never had a dog and always wanted one. They are such great ‘friends’ to have!
Ashley
I hope you do get to have one – as long as you don’t have to get a residence card for it too. LOL.
We love dogs. Lost our Australian Shepherd in January and got a mini-Aussie puppy in October. So I totally understand the old and the young. Very cool, my friend.
Thanks MJ. I’m sorry about your loss. It isn’t easy to lose a pet, but I’m glad you have another.
Aw, this is beautiful (((hugs to Penny & Gretel ))) 🙂
Thank you. I love sharing hugs with them.
This reminds me of the blog I posted this week about mothers and daughters and the song, “Sunrise, Sunset.” It’s the cycle of life. Your story of Penny is lovely and so poignant and heartwarming. She finally got what her heart desired: a daughter of her own. Young and old. Sunrise, sunset.
That’s true Monica. It’s a perfect analogy. I’m glad you were reminded of that post. It was lovely and very touching as well.
You make me feel like we should get a companion for Cooper (14) before he goes. This is a beautiful transition, Renee.
Awwww. How touching. And what beautiful dogs. This warmed my heart!
Thank you Selma.
I’m so jealous of your pups! As soon as I get out of an apartment, I’m going to get one…or two…
I know you’ll enjoy them when you do. Pups add a lot to life.
Good for Penny to finally get her life’s desire fulfilled. Very touching. And Gretel looks like a treat, to all of you. I love the picture of her with your son’s tennis shoe dangling from her mouth – even if I can’t see the shoe. So very puppy-like!
She is definitely a handful. But I am so attached to her already. Of course, Penny is darling and has had my heart for years. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
That is the best way to nurture a new pup, with an older and wiser girl 😉
Those are amazing German Shepherds…been a fan of the Dog Whisperer for the last month— So loved this post 🙂
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Best, Jenny
wow i think my snowy is same age too.. and funny thing he doesnt like getting his picture clicked…he never sits still when i try to click him 🙂