Ms. Resilient

Because I have written recently about Chaco, Hattie, and Gidget, I realized that I was leaving someone out: Nestle.

Perhaps the reason I have left her out– while not doing it on purpose– is because of her resiliency. Nestle is one of the happiest dogs ever. In two weeks she will turn thirteen although she doesn't act like such an old dog. Except for her face turning white and her fur not so sleek as it used to be, you'd never know she's as old as she is. 

I joke that Nestle was the kid who got Cs in school and who could run a 100 meters but would feign exhaustion for the mile. Yet when we got home from the park– where she would make it look like I was dragging her– she'd immediately start running around. Currently, she barks when we get inside the house because she wants her breakfast. And apparently I have nothing else to do but serve her.

Nestle's wold revolves around food. After she eats dinner, I always say, "Your day is over. There's no more food. You might as well go to sleep until tomorrow." Little makes her mad unless it's related to food (or going to the vet– even though Dr. Salas saved her life multiple times, she growls at him now).

In the moment, I can see her tail as she sleeps on the living floor although she was just barking at the garbage truck (however, this time, Gidget started it– Nestle was kind enough to teach Gidget all her bad habits).

For all she has been through– nearly dying after being attacked by Chaco, hit by a car, eating a turkey on Thanksgiving when we left the house– she still has a zest for life that some humans never have in their entire lives. And while she might annoy me with her excessive barking, my mom always used to say, "Nestle is the squeaky wheel."

And that wheel is reminding me that life is short and to enjoy every minute of it.