day sixteen: animals

This is my first baby girl.  We got Hallie 11 years ago in Elkins, WV.  She was one of thirteen puppies born to our friend Kristin's beautiful dog, Nesta.  Hallie is named after Hallie Davis, later known as Hallie Elkins.  Halliehurst is a gorgeous mansion where the Davis' and Elkins' vacationed.  It is also on the campus of our former college, Davis and Elkins College. 

Anyway - she is also my very first dog, ever...I have always been a cat girl.  We always had cats growing up.  Ben always had dogs.  She is, for the most part, a good dog.  Getting older for sure.  She has eaten her fair share of nasty things and vomited in places she shouldn't have.  She gets on the couch when we aren't here and runs immediately to the basement when we walk in the door (she knows she is not supposed to be on the couch!)  She lays on the floor next to our bed all night and the minute Ben gets out of the bed she gets on it, head on the pillow. She loves Ella and would prefer to sleep in her room all night.  Still growls at Nolan, but is starting to trust him.  She is now on medication for hip pain, has a lot of fatty cysts, and I don't think she sees well anymore.  But I can't imagine our lives without her here.