Enda is Four!

Our sweet Enda girl - our first ginger child - is now FOUR YEARS OLD in human years (and 28 years old in dog years!) 

As she ages, she continues to morph into more of a human and less of a dog.  She's definitely calmed down this year in terms of her energy level, although mentally she's a bit more challenging (especially when she's not getting the love, affection, or constant human companionship she so desires).  In Enda's opinion, she should be with us at all times, 24 hours a day.  If she were 50 pounds lighter we'd probably stick her in a handbag.  If she were less excitable, we'd probably make her a comfort dog so she could travel with us in any building or on any flight.  But, since this is not the reality, we just try to provide her as much attention as humanly possible - to the point that most of our friends and family think we're nuts. 

(To be clear, Enda is not neglected by any means.  I work from home, she gets a walk or a run at least once - sometimes twice - a day, she sleeps under the covers in our bed, cuddles with the nanny during the day, is not sent to doggie daycare anymore, takes Prozac daily, and is boarded maybe once or twice a year.  This is just still not enough for our velcro dog.)

A few things that Enda does that drives us absolutely nuts:

• Digs in the trash the moment we leave the house
• Counter surfs and steals food off the counter (or directly out of JB's hands)
• Tricks us into feeding her multiple times a day (as in, if James feeds her she'll come to me and ask to be fed...hoping I won't ask James if he already did.)
• Pees on the floor whenever someone she likes come over to the house
• Runs and jumps into the car whenever we try to leave, refusing to get out
• Barks ts the long-haired dachshund neighbors multiple times a day (though they start it)
• Chases the cats throughout the house
• Cries when the cats corner her until we come rescue her
• Still jumps and runs whenever JB gets too close to her (although she has never snapped or acted aggressive, for which we are extremly grateful)
• Opens both the front and back door (how??), and freaks out if you close them behind her.  She wants to stay outside, but with the door cracked at all times. 
• Lounges on the front porch furniture and barks at anyone who walks by the house

Despite all these things, we still love that dog more than one should love a non-human being.  When we discuss our upcoming move to middle Georgia, we always say "and Enda is going to LOVE IT" as if that influenced our decision. (I promise it didn't, but it does make me smile when we visit the house and I see an elated Enda in the big yard.)  James has started to say "and when we have two vizslas" which fills me both with dread and excitement.  Vizslas are like a bad habit you just can't quit.

Happy 4th Birthday, Furry Girl!
We love you like crazy (which is usually what you make us - crazy) 

:)