Well, it is my second last post for my Celebrating Dahlia miniseries. 😊 I have loved looking back at my years with her and reflecting on the wonderful time she and I had together.

I miss Dahlia so much, I always will. I still shed tears over her, I know I will for quite some time, but I also smile. I smile because this stubborn, beautiful, demanding, amazing soul came into my life.

Today, I dedicate this celebration of Dahlia to the lessons she taught me.

Lesson 1: Dance like no one is watching.

No one loved to dance like Dahlia did! And she would not care who or what was in her way, when the mood struck, she would get her tail and head going until her whole body was moving, then she would start lifting her paws off the floor, one at a time. And of course, not only her dance was awesome, it was second to the beautiful smile of joy that was on her face.

Lesson 2: Never let your past define you.

This needs no explanation, if you know of Dahlia, you know of her horrible beginnings but that did not deter her from becoming the most lovable, friendly girl around. Sometimes too friendly, with her flirtatious ways!

Lesson 3: There is ALWAYS time to make new friends.

Dahlia loved to say hello and make friends with everyone she came by. Her aura and lovely demeanour drew people to her. She loved to get to know dogs in the neighbourhood and receive pets from any human around. At times she did not give them a choice, she would sit on their feet and lean on their legs if they were not giving her enough attention or if I was trying to get her to move along.

Lesson 4: You are never too old to learn.

Coming to me as a senior dog, with no previous experience of being cared for, loved, or trained. Dahlia was an A+ student in teaching an old dog “new” tricks. My first realization that Dahlia needed to be trained was when we went to Auntie Janet’s place for a visit. Having Flipflop and Miss Ellie since they were pups, Janet and I knew we could leave food out and not worry about dogs helping themselves. Well, two seconds into our arrival at Janet’s and Dahlia had cleared off ½ a plate of cheese!!

It was then I realized, I had a senior dog, but she never had a proper home, where she was inside with people and around food.

Much to my surprise, Dahlia was a quick study and soon fell into the same behaviour as her pack. She learned to play ball, loved toys, play with other dogs (as best she could), and to not help herself to human food, even when at her level.

Lesson 5:  Let your inner diva shine

One of the things that made Dahlia so special is once she knew she was safe and felt secure, she was never afraid letting her inner diva shine.

Dahlia was demanding, stubborn, knew what she wanted, and expected me to give it her, often! She and I would often have battles of our will. I could usually win with the right treat, but sometimes she was not having it and nothing I did would get her to do what I wanted to do. And she would be SO proud of herself!

Dahlia has so much beauty, inside and out, and the best part was she knew it! She loved getting told she was pretty and was not afraid to demand the attention she felt she deserved.

The past two years of her life, I often said “it’s pure stubbornness that is keeping her going.”

Lesson 6: Don’t worry, be happy

Dahlia was always happy, no matter what! When I would have to correct her, unlike most dogs who would some way show their remorse, she did not. She would smile and dance and completely ignore me!

It got to the point, where I actually didn’t bother correcting her, as if I raised my voice, Flipflop would show remorse (even when he wasn’t the one getting in trouble) and Dahlia would look at me with a big smile, as if to say, “yell all you want lady, I know you will never hurt me so I don’t care!”

Lesson 7: Senior dog adoption

The most important lesson I learned from Dahlia, is the joy from giving a senior dog a loving home to live out their final years. Dahlia brought so much joy to my life, and I like to think I brought some to hers too!

When the day came where I said “see you later” to my beloved Catahoula from Florida, I laid down beside her and as she was getting ready to take her final breaths, I thanked her for all she has given me.

I am grateful every day for all Dahlia has given me and taught me.  I recognize my words do not do her justice. Dahlia was a beacon a sunlight to everyone she met, and I made her a promise that when ever I adopt, I would only adopt seniors to honour her and all she brought to my life.