13; Thirteen; 16-3=13!!!!

For 12 years and 11 months and 29 days I have been anticipating the day you become a teenager. Parenting is such an indescribable experience. Being a part of your life brings me great pride and joy!!!

You inspire me when life is hard. I keep going, not just because you exist and that it is my reponsibility to provide for you, but because of the example of hard work I see you do every day in the gym and the positive attitude you have. You are so full of life and you rarely let the small stuff get you down.

I wonder what the next 13 years will bring...braces, high school, driving, college. I'm so excited to be a part of your life and to watch you discover the wonders of this magnificient planet we live on as well as guiding you to discover all the qualities you possess within your being. Your toughness and your tenderness. Your brilliant mind and your light-heartedness. Your persistent yet laid-back attitude.

I hope you have a great birthday and that as you grow into a young woman you will continue to bless my life and the lives of those around you with your beautiful smile and happy disposition. I love you more!!!!

Remembering Raven

It has been a year since Raven went to wait by the Rainbow Bridge. To see her go from a vibrant and sassy girl to a bag of bones in the matter of a day was heart wrenching. She was so weak her legs couldn't hold her body up and she had always been a heavy weight girl that I struggled to lift, now seemed to only weigh about 10 pounds. To end her suffering was a very hard decision.

Formally named Diana, That Spencer Girl after Princess Diana. The weekend we received Raven from her breeder was the same weekend Princess Diana passed away and I loved the descriptions of a princess with a sassy attitude that refused to give in to the rules of royalty and even though she became part of the royal family, continued to do things her own way.

I miss Ravens antics and Scottie-isms. The click of her paws on the wood floors. Her means of communication...if only she could talk. Her grunts, quarrels, nudges and stares and most of all her snuggles. I remember Bradley use to get so frustrated because Raven was MY dog. It didn't matter how much Bradley played with Raven or how much care she provided, I could walk in the room and it was over, my dog would come running to me.

After she was gone, Bradley and I found comfort in other scotties we found on the internet. We have met social Scotties: Angus Fala and Ainsley, Rebus and Isla, and Ruffles. There's also Harry and Lola, Boone and Kenzie, just recently we met Jett and Diesel, and of course, thanks to Ann at the Scottish Terrior News for keeping us all up today on any scottie news.

All of you have all been a tremendous comfort to Bradley and myself during this very lonely year in our life. Thank you for being open and sharing your Scottie lives with us. Soon we hope to have a new Scottie to share with you all.