Ella

Hard to believe, but today is Ella's second birthday. How time flies. I figure most people don't keep close track on their dogs birthdays, or celebrate them, but seeing as how my three girls are more than dogs (my children really) I do keep track of it and have every intention of celebrating this evening in Idaho Falls with a piece of pie. (any excuse to cheat on my diet!)

I picked Ella up from the airport late one chilly November night. As soon as I had signed for her I opened the crate door to have a better look at her. I remember she sat there and looked at me for a moment, and then marched right out and into my arms, like she new that's where she belonged. From the moment she was carried into our house, she established herself as the baby...and has utilized the power of that position ever since.

(Ella's first morning at her new home.)

She had won my heart from the first moment. It took the others a bit to decide if they were keeping her. Paris, I think, felt the most reluctant. She was a mature 2 year old and I think she worried that her position as the princess was being threatened.

Carlie was still an uncoordinated adolescent, and she saw a potential playmate in Ella. She loved her from the start, as long as Ella stayed away from the food bowl and stopped playing when Carlie decided the game was over...which is hard to make a puppy understand.

Ella has been a joy in our lives. We both say that among the three of them, we like her personality the most. She is a sweet, loving, gentle girl, though she does have a saucy side that was evident even as a youngster.

And as timid as she is now, she was quite the daredevil as a pup. She learned to jump between the driver and passenger seat a full year sooner than Carlie Jean did. She has given me quite a few scares!

When I first decided to get another dog, I worried that their would be a lot of hard feelings between the three of the girls. But my concerns were soon put to rest. After a few weeks, she was just another member of our pack, and a wonderfully comfortable pillow to rest on.

After her initiation, Ella became everybody's baby.

She's grown a lot in the past two years. She got her spots in...

...and then her hair started to grow longer. Its always kind of sad when you look up and realize your baby isn't a baby anymore.

Though she's the biggest in size, she still the youngest in years and at heart. She has retained the puppy antics much longer, which just makes her all the more adorable.

Ella is a delight in our life. I love her so much! She has given us each a special gift. She is a snuggler for me and Paris, someone to rough house with for Malcolm, and Carlie Jean's constant side kick and companion. When I take the girls out, Paris will wonder on her own, but Carlie and Ella are side by side the entire time. Some people said I was crazy to have three dogs in the truck with me. I wondered if it wouldn't be a little too much when I first started considering making the move to add a third "child" to our family. I'm so glad I did. I don't think any of us could imagine life without her. I know it certainly would be a little empty if she wasn't here with us.

Happy Birthday Ella!