Happy 16th Birthday to Rosy!
Rosy, our Collie, turns 16 on October 17th! From her early days in the Bay of Islands to the big road trip down to Hawea 11 years ago, she’s been with us every step of the way — exploring beaches, keeping the younger dogs in line, and always letting us know exactly what’s going on.
When our Beagle-Spaniel cross, Winnie, joined the family, Rosy immediately took her under her wing. Teaching her manners and playfulness. Later, she became the wise “Aunty” to Winnie’s puppies, Evie and Obi — and yes, she still keeps them all in line today!
Rosy isn’t all perfect manners, of course. She loves digging huge holes, rolling in dirt right after a bath, and while she was the star student at puppy training, that didn’t always translate to real life… LOL. She also loves swimming for sticks, though giving a proper shake afterwards is a bit tricky for her these days — so in summer we clip her coat to help her dry off faster. She does look a bit comical for a couple of weeks after a clip, and we try not to laugh (too much!) or be rude.
Our lovely girl is showing a few senior signs — a grey snout, cloudy eyes, and some arthritis — but switching her to Active Ultra has kept her in excellent condition. The added glucosamine, chondroitin, and balanced omega 3 & 6 help her keep moving and playing with her pack. She still initiates play, jumps on the sofa for cuddles, and rules the roost with her signature three-bark “I love you.”
Her teeth are amazing — the vets are always astounded at how good her teeth are, and we fully credit her rough Ultra dog biscuits for keeping them strong and healthy.
We’re celebrating with a special birthday cake made of mashed veggies and tinned fish — and we suspect Mr. Tidds, our wild cat/fifth dog, might sneak a slice too.
We love you Rosy and will make sure you get extra treats as well as cake on your special day!!
“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”
— Roger A. Caras