Saturday 3 November 2012

Meet Millie, Everybody.


She also answers to Mills, Millimena, Belly and Puss.

She arrived on November 1st, and has already run me ragged.
I am totally exhausted.

Millie is a seven-and-a-half year old black labrador/Welsh collie cross,
who behaves like a seven-and-a-half months old pup.
She has a white chin and neck, bat wing ears, a permanently wagging tail,
stumpy legs (compared to Benno)
and needs to lose 2-3 kg weight.

But not yet.
First we must settle in.



Did I say bat wing ears?
And what about that big belly?
 Millimena, bless her, will never win ‘Most Beautiful Dog in Show’,
but that’s only because judges don’t award points for 
a big heart and sweet nature,
both of which she most definitely has. 



Millie insists on sleeping in my room.
Did I hear somebody say: 

"Be firm, start as you mean to go on?”

For how long can you listen to pitiful whimpers
and delicate scratches on the kitchen door, 
noises which reach you through closed doors, a stairwell
and thick carpets; noises that cut you
like red hot knives.

Ah well, Benno slept upstairs for years too.



“She fell for it”
“Let’s see what else I can get away with”.



This picture is rather misleading.
She is probably working out where else she would like to walk her new mistress.




We have already been out for early morning walks round the castle
 had romps in the garden which included gardener, who very kindly threw sticks,
afternoon walks in the fields,
and a wonderful, exhilarating game of tag and run with new four-legged friends.

The fact that this adventure happened to be in the middle of a hail storm
didn’t worry Millie at all.

You can see her obvious delight at her new freedom,
 the wide open spaces,
the water-logged meadows for splashing in,
the river for hunting,
the stiles to jump,
and the new friends to sniff.


She completely disgraced herself at the Vet’s where she was totally out of control; four other dogs were waiting for attention and she needed to greet them all. She also needed to greet all the veterinary nurses, the receptionists, the vets, and the cats in their baskets, dragging me, apologising madly, behind her on the lead. Luckily, everybody made allowances for her great excitement. I told her quite firmly that she was only with me 'on approval’ and that she’d be sent  back to the shelter if she didn’t behave, whereupon a general cry of “oh no, how sad, you can’t possibly” went up and I had to backtrack and promise to keep her. The Vet pronounced her reasonably fit but overweight, with just a little adjustment needed to her general condition. Next Wednesday she is going for a bath and brush up, we’ll see how kindly she takes to that. I have to admit that she is just a bit smelly and her coat could certainly do with some attention.

As for the various names she has? Well, Millie is her original name, which we have decided to keep. Belly, because I forget and call her Benno - halfway from Benno to Millie is Belly; this also suits her current shape. And Puss? That’s Beloved’s fault. How he comes to call her that, I have no idea, I hope he realises that he now has another dog in his household and that Millie is absolutely not a cat.


88 comments:

  1. Dogs are pack animals so sleeping in your room is a natural thing to do... She looks lovely and I am sure you will have a great deal of fun with her. Christine

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  2. Ah Sweet Millie-Belly-Puss - she has landed on her feet, in the best home imaginable! I'm happy for the three of you in your household as it sounds as a good match has been made. Of course she should sleep in your room - she will have a job to do, listening for sounds in the night, listening to you breath and generally basking in the feeling of being home at last. Lovely news!

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  3. Oh Lordy. I am so happy for you and Millie! A senior citizen, that's lovely. I had a tiny heart attack when I saw the word Puss. I thought surely you wouldn't have gone over to the dark side ;) Sounds like she's working you already BOL. Congrats! X

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  4. haha...sounds like she is full of energy...smiles...i am very happy for you...love her personality already as well needing to great everyone...smiles.

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  5. Great news Friko! I'm sure Benno would approve! Maybe she let out a mew at some stage, instead of a yip, and that's what confused your Beloved?

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  6. How lovely! Lucky Millie. And I'm glad she wants to sleep in the same room as you. It means she feels at home with you and that she loves you. xox

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  7. I'm not sure who is luckier, you or her.

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  8. How wonderful! I look forward to stories about you and Millie adapting to one another. And by the way .... Dogs should sleep near us, I'm a firm believer!!

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  9. How wonderful that you've opened your home and your heart to another dog -- and Millie sounds like a perfectly imperfect and fabulous addition to your family. Congratulations!

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  10. No doubt about it. You sound like a woman who has fallen in love!

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    Replies
    1. Well, let's just say Millie has found Heaven on Earth. I can tell you're smitten. With all that scampering about you'll both be losing weight.

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  11. Warmed my heart. It looks like Mills ( or any of the other names) has found her forever home.

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  12. Oh Friko how wonderful,

    I am so excited to hear that you have found such a beautiful companion! I think that your beautiful pup is ping to be a faithful and wonderful addition to your family!

    I hope that you are feeling better, Elizabeth

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  13. Friko, I'm leaping with delight! for you - for Beloved - for Millie!! What a wonderful reason to be exhausted and Millie is so excited and hyper with happiness she will run you ragged for a couple of weeks.
    I just couldn't be happier for you all.

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  14. I started smiling as soon as I read the post title.. I knew it had to be a new family member of the four-legged kind. She is a beauty. She's lucky to have you as I know you are to have her. Congrats. :)

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  15. If Millie Belly is half as happy as you sound, she must think she has landed in dog heaven. So happy to read the wonderful news.

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  16. She sounds like the perfect pet. At 7 and a half, I'm pretty sure she'll settle down as she grows comfortable with her new home. And the breed mix sounds like a good recipe for a companion.

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  17. She is a lucky dog - and you're a lucky woman! She already owns you, doesn't she? Wonderful!! (I envy you - both my daughter and I would love to have a dog, but allergies unfortuntely prevent this. Sigh)

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  18. I am so happy for you and I am certainly also happy for Milly and I hope you two come to have a long and happy relationship. She sounds like a wonderful dog and like she is in the right place. Good for you and good for her. Congratulations!

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  19. As is the way of these things, we will come to ask "who is saving who?". I expect you will enjoy a female dog. I do. Congrats to you, Beloved and Millie. She's lovely.

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  20. I'm glad you've taken an older dog...Millie will be calmer once she is sure she is at her permanent home.
    Dog in the bedroom...of course!

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  21. Lovely! I know she will bring great joy to your lives.

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  22. I am happy you found another lovely dog, she looks like she makes you happy and keeps you busy. If she has collie in her, she will keep you busy, just like my lovely Ben who is a full border collie. Best Wishes Karen.

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  23. I like Puss, for some reason. I hope your Beloved keeps calling her that.

    She's beautiful, Friko. Gorgeous coat and sounds like her personality is the perfect compliment in your home.

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  24. Lucky Millie. Lucky Friko. She sounds just wonderful for you.

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  25. Congratulations !
    She sounds very like a woman I knew years ago . Boundlessly enthusiastic and chaotic , never to be seen in matching shoes , alarmingly generous and impetuous she exhausted and charmed ... and her loyalty and friendship were unending .
    Millie sounds perfect !

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  26. A labrador/border collie cross? She'll make sure you're never lost and always safely rounded up, I'm sure.

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  27. Bless you for taking her in Friko. You have a huge heart. She will love you and reward you with such loyalty. She is beautiful! It's so sad that she should find herself homeless at that ag bu o wonderfully happy that she now has a loving home. Don't send her back! I don't think you will :-)
    Di
    xxxx

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  28. I'm sure she'll reintroduce some sunshine into your life. Well, she already has, hasn't she?

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  29. Hi Friko - that is just wonderful - welcome Millie to Valley's End ... can I whisper in your ear that you've landed yourself in a cushy household .. lots of entertainment there - books to read, classical music to enjoy, fresh air just outside your door ... and a gardener who obviously enjoys you as the new addition. Keep it quiet though .. sounds like you've already got everyone under your spell ... keep it up - Halloween's not for another year!!

    Friko - what a delightful introduction to life a la chez vous .. you're obviously reaping those benefits too - glad you're feeling better ... many thoughts - Hilary

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  30. Here's to Belly :-) I like that - the combination of Benno and Millie as her name, plus it fits her current shape ;-)
    So good to see you have the possibility to give some poor dog the chance of a good life, and at the same time are doing something to lift your own spirits as well.

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  31. I'm glad for you! Finally you have a new friend, Millie, a girl. I think she will be gentle,with good mood and cute.

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  32. ach, jetzt hatte ich einen langen kommentar geschrieben und weg ist er...mmmh, also noch einmal: ich hatte heute morgen die ganze zeit an dich gedacht und schon befürchtet, das düstere regnerische wetter wäre sehr belastend für dich. und da kam ich hierher und wie sehr habe ich mich gefreut, dein heutiges post zu lesen. das ist ja ein echtes glück für euch und ganz besonders für millie, die jetzt ein wunderschönes zuhause hat! ha, ihr habt wieder einmal ganz viel gutes karma angesammelt!! :-)... ich musste sehr über deine schilderungen (die ersten stunden mit millie) lachen, das ist ja ein lustiger hund und ana so ähnlich. die ist ja auch so aktiv (die beiden würden sich gut verstehen!).
    ich melde mich sehr bald, wahrscheinlich sogar heute noch! ich danke dir sehr für deine lieben und schönen kommentare auf meinem blog. sie haben mich so sehr gefreut...!
    ich freue mich wirklich sehr für euch alle!
    alles liebe und bis sehr bald!
    renée

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  33. Well, you certainly have your work cut out for you and you should not need exercise planning. I hope that he calms a little, but not too much, because you seem to be enjoying all this craziness.

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  34. Sorry, I meant to type "she."

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  35. What a beautiful post!
    Wish my dog would be as friendly as Millie -
    ich schaue immer gerne wieder vorbei!
    England war ja auch einmal mein Zuhause und ich
    vermisse es ein wenig...
    Aber meine jüngste (Stief)-Tochter studiert ja in London,
    also immer ein Grund ab und an einmal vorbeizukommen.
    ~.*.~
    Love
    Beatrice

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  36. Oh, I'm so glad for all of you! A new loving heart...
    I daresay the weight will fall off her if she keeps up with you!
    As for the sleeping spot and all the rest of the things that stern dog keepers deem spoiling, I'm all for it. If you get a dog to be a love object, then, for Heaven's sake, love it!
    I'd love to be able to give Millie a hug and a kiss . . . perhaps after her day at the spa.

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  37. I am thrilled for all of you. Having adopted three shelter pups of our own a little over a year ago, I am always heartened to know that others do likewise when the time comes to bring a new friend into their home. It's great that you opted to give an older dog a home and certainly makes sense when one is no longer that young oneself. (It's a choice we will definitely make next time round. Three pups are quite a handful).

    Millie certainly has landed herself a glorious life! I look forward to following her progress.

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  38. Oh Friko! I'm so happy for you and Beloved and Belly!

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  39. Belly sounds like a winner and a keeper to me.

    Enjoy your newest family member.

    What absolutely beautiful, breathtaking countryside. Oh so peaceful.

    FlowerLady

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  40. You've a kind heart, Friko. I'm sure it must feel good to have such life n the house again.

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  41. dit is toch heerlijk z,on ondeugd erbij .

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  42. She looks like she is going to make a good friend. She has so much love to give. And in my opinion, dogs should be able to sleep in the same room as the family. They are pack animals. But, I am not a dog expert and I only have cats (that sleep with me).

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  43. She just won the doggy lottery and doesn't know it. Or perhaps she does. Welcome to your new home, Mille Belly! :-)

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  44. I am so pleased for you both, Friko. Millie sounds like a delightful companion and she will certainly keep you fit as you push ahead with her weight-loss regime.

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  45. I'm delighted for you, Friko! I'm also delighted for Millie. It looks like a perfect match. Go ahead and indulge her. Indulge yourself. Life is short, but love is eternal. I would even suggest allowing Millie to share the bed with you and Beloved. There's nothing quite like sleeping with your feet near the dog.

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  46. Big smiles here. Yay! Millie is in charge!
    XO
    WWW

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  47. Im so pleased for your Friko, you sound like you already have bucked up and had a great start to your relationship with Millie, she looks like she is going to fit right in, and already has you trained pretty well.

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  48. Friko, this is grand news! What fun you and Beloved are going to have with Millie! I can just about imagine that exciting scene at the vet! It really is great to have this loving exuberance close at hand, and to know that lives are going to be enriched by being together.

    xo

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  49. As we all surely know, it’s the naming (which though we silly humans think stems from us, though our companion animals know better) that first secures the bond between human and companion animal. With Mills, Millimena, Belly, and Puss, you have already exceeded Eliot’s prescription. In celebration, I give you “The Naming of Dogs.”

    The Naming of Dogs is a difficult matter,
    It isn't just one of your holiday games;
    You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
    When I tell you, a dog must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
    First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
    Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
    Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
    All of them sensible everyday names.
    There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
    Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
    Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
    But all of them sensible everyday names.
    But I tell you, a dog needs a name that's particular,
    A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
    Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
    Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
    Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
    Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
    Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
    Names that never belong to more than one dog.
    But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
    And that is the name that you never will guess;
    The name that no human research can discover--
    But THE DOG HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
    When you notice a dog in profound meditation,
    The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
    His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
    Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
    His ineffable effable
    Effanineffable
    Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

    The Naming Of Cats by T. S. Eliot (with one “tiny” change)

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  50. So pleased you have another dog. Hope you enjoy lots of long walks together. She'll soon lose that excess weight and just think how fit you'll be!

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  51. I laughed out loud where you described Milly's enthusiasm at the vet! Congratulations on your delightful new distraction!

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  52. Woohoo well done and welcome to Millie. Look forward to making her acquaintance:)

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  53. This is delightful news, Friko; for you and for Millie and for your beloved. Enjoy those walks.

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  54. She looks so friendly. Welcome, Millie . I mean Benno. I mean Puss. Good luck calling her in from the garden, Friko.

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  55. I can't say how pleased I am that another dog has adopted you - for it is that way around, I'm sure. I wish you much joy of her and with her and look forward to many stories about your adventures together. And what's wrong with Puss? My daughter had a cat called Mouse so I think anything is acceptable if it fits:-)

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  56. Lucky you
    Lucky Millie
    Happy for both of you.
    You are good to the core of your being...

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  57. Congratulations Belly! ...errr...I mean Millie!! You're home. And what a lucky place you've landed. Sounds like you and Friko are going to whip each other into shape right quick.

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  58. Hund sein, in solcher Umgebung.

    Eine gute neue Woche euch allen.

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  59. This was a lovely post. As someone who met Benno and you I know how much he was a part of your life. I think you have found another wonderful dog to share those walks around the castle, romp in your extraordinary garden, and sniff that exceptional compost heap. With happy memories of meeting you - and Benno - I now see you and the felicitously named Millie taking happy walks and thinking deep thoughts. With every best wish to all of you - Josie

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  60. Such happy news! Your Millie is most fortunate to arrive in such a loving home where she will be spoiled completely...with love. All the best to the 3 of you and hope to see photos soon of that meadow splashing!

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  61. The minute I saw the title of your post, I thought, "Oh great news. She has a new dog." To be honest, I didn't even read the first few paragraphs. I quickly scrolled down to see if there was a photo. Sure enough, there she was. I love Millie. She is great. I know you will be great friends.

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  62. You can see how social she is from the pics alone...and great to have such wonderful countryside to roam as well.

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  63. I'm so happy for you and for lucky Millimena!

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  64. Oh how wonderful! Happy days are ahead again! She is very loveable, I can see that in her eyes! :-) Viel viel viel Spass zusammen Friko!

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  65. Friko, it looks like Millie is getting you trained just the way she wants you. Kindness and gentle persistence wins every time! Have fun with her :-) - Dave

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  66. She is totally adorable and I love all her names. Congrats!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  67. What a darling she is! Enjoy your bundle of joy, dear Friko.
    And I love her name, Millimena. So very poetic!

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  68. I'm back from my travels now, and one of the first things I had to do was check and see if there had been a happy result for you as you searched for a suitable companion. Indeed, there has been - and I can just imagine the happiness is spilling over. She's a darling, and her names are lovely, and I can only imagine the tales we're going to hear as all of you get to know one another. Congratulations!

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  69. Oh Goody. I am estatic, over the moon, thrilled with your new dog. Of course you can't take her back. She is exhuberent because she has a new home. Wouldn't you be HAPPY if you had been cast aside and then some nice couple came and took you home?

    As for sleeping in the same room, but of course. There is no other way. I will never again abandon a dog to the bathroom with a cuddly toy and nightlight.

    Just think of all the wonderful tales you will think of as you care for your new girl Millie. What a perfect name. My grandmother was maned Wilamina and ended up as Minnie. So you can call your girl Wilamila or something equally large for her large heart.

    Dianne

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  70. I am so completely thrilled for you and Millie! Wow! This just made my day :) :)
    Btw, bat-wing ears are the best (must mean she's somehow related to my dear old bat-winged buddy). Yay! Hooray for Miss MillieMillsMillimenaBellyPuss !

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  71. OH how lovely - she sounds like a delightful and enthusiastic dog - those are the best kinds!

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  72. What a lucky blend of characters, you , hubby , the gardener and Millie all living in an area of space and plenty of compassion. With her running who else will lose some weight even if it was not the plan?
    Millie will have lots of space now to move about and become trim.

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  73. Hi, Friko, I’m happy for you and Millie, that you two have someone to share the joy of being together. She is so adorable and bundle of energy. Benno would be pleased to see your smiles. My dog, Lynne, died after miserable battles with her disease, so I can’t get over with it still now, but my mother’s Pal died in her sleep suddenly and she soon got another Toy Poodle to fill her vacant heart without Pal. It might depend on the owner, but I think Millie is much freer and feel more comfortable in such a rural environment. Have happy days ahead.

    Yoko

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  74. Hallo Friko,
    Ich kann sehen Millie hat ein wunderschoenes Heim gefunden und das ist wunderbar fuer Euch alle. Sie muss nicht mehr im Tierheim sein und hat ein Frauchen und Herrchen gefunden. Viell Spass mit ihr.
    Heidi

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  75. Looks like you have an interesting new companion who will enjoy training you.

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  76. Millie's sweet and lucky to have you to take care of her. I love dogs, and one day I'm gonna have one, but I guess I'll start a bit smaller ;)
    I love labrodors, and huskies - my aunt has a husky, and I mostly love her blue eyes and the soft white fur.
    It's not important that Millie might not win a contest for the best looking dog, really important is that she enjoys her life, that she has a lovely family and, of course, that she's healthy.

    Love that post, and the pics.

    Have a great day,
    Sanny

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  77. A most welcome addition. I did know a man who called his cat Rex, so....

    Run you ragged, but I sense you've loved it. ~Mary

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  78. Oh, I just love her. She will require lots of attention for a while. I'm sure you have lots of love to share.
    Balisha

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  79. I think you will have a lot of joy with this adorable dog !

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  80. Dear Friko, I'm so happy for you that you once again have a dog in the house with you and your husband. Benno will never be forgotten for he touched your life in many and varied ways with unconditional love. And he opened your heart to embrace another lab--Millie. Oh I'm tickled pink for you....and for her. Peace.

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  81. Oh my lord! I've been absent here. Shame upon me! You have Millie and she's a big beautiful doll! She sounds perfectly wonderful!

    Oh, Friko, I am so happy for you and for Millie. The pictures tell a very heartwarming story to match your words. Perfect.

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  82. I have been reading all your posts backwards waiting, getting hints of Millie and just waiting to find this one. I'm so, so very happy that you have found one another and that she has settled in beautifully, grateful to be with you. The "Belly" made me smile -- I've been periodically having that problem calling Lizzie Gypsy. But mostly, our new family members are their very own creatures and we love them all the more for it. It all makes me smile.

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  83. Also ich finde, Millie sieht doch ganz bezaubernd aus! Und im Gegensatz zu Paul hat sie immerhin einen Schwanz. (Da Paul kein Eichhörnchen ist, ist es nicht weiter schlimm, er scheint ihn nicht zu vermissen) Sie wirkt glücklich und du liest dich glücklich an....so soll es sein.
    Liebe Grüße nach GB ;-)

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  84. I DO so love visiting here, enjoying your wit and humor and "adventures". I am SO glad you have Millie and I a sure she is glad to have you. This made my morning, really! I have a hair coloring today and plan on checking out your other posts. I already spied several photos to drool over. :)

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  85. This is really happy news. Millie is just about the same age as my furry buddies. Seems to me that mammals are meant to huddle and cuddle together, no use fighting nature. I have come around to enjoy the healing warmth of three furry bodies pushed up against me. No doubt Millie's excitement will keep you young and mobile.

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