The Princess

Do you love me because I'm beautiful, or am I am beautiful because you love me?
....Oscar Hammerstein II

Lily came to us in 2001 as a meltingly beautiful 8 week old, with a pure white coat and eyes as big as saucers. I just couldn't stop looking at her, she was so lovely, and vulnerable. She frightened easily and would leave a trail of 'poodle piddle' across the floor and under the bed, when someone strange came into the house.

It took a long time for her to get her nerve, and even as an adult she would skirt visitors, barking to warn them she was watching them for any wrong move, and would deal with them accordingly.

After observing them for a time, she would then decide whether to approach or not. Some people she would never trust and allow into her inner sanctum, and others, she would put her long legs up to their shoulders and solemnly sniff their faces. That was an honour and only accorded to special people and earned her the name of 'the Princess'.

When our new pup Zara came, Lily bashed her up regularly, just to get her to heel. Every few days I would have to rush outside to rescue the poor frightened pup, screaming loudly as she was thrown on her back in the gravel, and given a heavy dose of 'doggy discipline'.

Finally, they have found some peace together, and they race at breakneck speed around the yard, with Zara now equally as fast as Lil, and I can finally relax and let them enjoy each other.