We're celebrating something pretty extraordinary around here. My precious little Vida is 17 years old! And after so much sadness lately, missing my sweet boy Eli, I can't think of anything more beautiful to celebrate than this tiny 7½-pound girl who has brought more joy into my life than I could ever put into words.
Vida came into my life in 2018, when I was still trying to find my way through the heartbreak of losing my first two dogs as an adult, Cabana and Diesel. She needed someone to give her the love and care she deserved, and I fully intended to just foster her. Well, that lasted about 24 hours! 😂 I remember thinking that maybe Diesel, my Great Dane who always believed he was a lap dog, had sent me this tiny little girl. That boy always seemed to know exactly what I needed.
I've always believed that dogs come into our lives for reasons far greater than companionship. They help us heal, teach us, hold up mirrors to the parts of ourselves that need a little work, and remind us how to live in the moment. All in all, I think they can help us become better versions of ourselves. That is a beautiful thing!
And Vida has certainly been one of my greatest teachers.
There is something so incredibly pure about this little girl. The way she runs around the house acting goofy, "swimming" across the floor to scratch her belly, always finding her way under a warm blanket (or barking at me until I tuck her in!), and eagerly anticipating her daily snuffle mat full of treats. I mean, this little girl is just bursting with personality, and everything about her makes me smile.
And of all the things Vida loves, nothing quite compares to riding in the car. It's her absolute favorite! Every morning on our way to work, once we get close, I roll down her window, and up she goes, lifting that precious little face toward the sky, feeling the wind in her hair, taking in all the smells around her, and simply soaking up every second of it. I could watch her do this a thousand times and never get tired of it. It's one of the most adorable things I've ever seen.
In a world that can feel so loud, chaotic, and sometimes downright ugly, she is my peace. She's the little face that can make me smile when nothing else seems to, and my constant reminder that there is still so much good in this world.
Seventeen years is extraordinary, and I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel to still have this precious little girl by my side. But with age inevitably come changes, and some of those changes can be difficult to watch. As Vida's vision declines, I've watched some of the things she once loved become a little more challenging, and sometimes I think those changes are harder on my heart than they are on her. She certainly has a few other old-lady things going on, too, and I'm learning to find that balance between staying proactive, supporting her as her needs change, and not getting so caught up in researching, worrying, or trying to fix every little thing that I forget to simply enjoy her. Because as much as I want to do everything in my power to keep her healthy and thriving, I don't want to miss the beautiful moments we have right in front of us. It's truly all about balance. I try very hard to not let my worries about tomorrow steal the joy of having her here today.
So, to my sweet little Vida, you are pure joy. You are perfect in every way, and I hope you know just how much you mean to me. Every little thing about you makes me smile, and I will never be able to repay you for everything you've given me and taught me. But I promise to spend every day trying to make your world as beautiful as you've made mine.
Happy 17th birthday, my precious little girl. 🤍