Merci is 6 or 7

Happy Birthday/Gotcha Day, Merci!

From all of us at JFF - Crystal, Cotton, Merci, Cyndi, Percy, Cameron, Buddy, Samaritan & Rusty

Percy's birthday was the 9th and we shared the cake Sassy sent for him with our guests. Today we're going to share Merci's cake, so when you stop by help yourself to a slice or two. There is plenty to go around.

This is a picture taken of Merci at the shelter just before Jan adopted her on July 22, 2003. There is no hint of the beautiful red-gold fluffy coat she has today.

At the shelter, Jan was told Merci was a year or two years old. Then one day while Merci was getting a rabies shot, Jan decided to ask the vet how old Merci was at that time. He opened Merci's mouth, looked at her teeth and stated positively, "She's a little over a year old."

"But that isn't possible," Jan declared just as positively. She was a year or two old when I adopted her and as of this week, I've had her for 3 years."

The vet checked Merci's mouth again, and said in amazement, "But her teeth are perfect." (He said this more than once in the conversation.)

So Merci is a true female - her age is a mystery.

Jan says Merci arrived as an old dog and changed into an energetic pup. Seriously, Merci didn't run or play. She didn't even know how to play. She was afraid of her shadow. She didn't know any commands or tricks. She's still afraid of her shadow and she's hard to teach because she flops and rolls onto her back in the non-aggressive, please don't hurt me, I'll do anything you want pose. But she learned to play and oh, did she have energy! She still revs into overdrive when she sees a squirrel.

So we aren't sure how old Merci is, but she is evidently anywhere from less than 6 to 7 years of age. And if you're any older, Merci, we don't care. We love you just as you are!

Merci received this lovely card from Rocky, Bear & angel Lacylulu.

And Sassy sent this beautiful bowl early since she, Momo and the Italians Opus & Roscoe would be on safari and out of touch. So Jan has been hiding it for Merci's big day.

Unfortunately, today is not Merci's Birthday/Gotcha Day. Yesterday was!

Leave it to Jan to forget to read the palm pilot Sassy gave her for her birthday or the July event calendar Sassy made for her. Hey, she didn't even read the special events calendar she keeps in her desk drawer. We tried to remind her today but she was "busy." Rusty even said, "Jan, don't forget Merci's birthday." And she answered, "I won't.' But she thought it was tomorrow.

Oh, Jan, we have got to get you to a specialist who can fix the hole in your memory before it all leaks out.