Best wishes to Mrs. Martta and her clan of labs!
Mrs. Martta writes:
Happy 11th birthday, Kelly! A.k.a Kellikins, Kelly Da Labby, the Kellster, Labby-Dabby Ding-Dong Dog, Eeegie Peegie Weegie, and all the other lovable pseudonyms you put up with, probably because you're deaf and don't give a rat's behind as long as we don't call you late for dinner. Oh no, nothing wrong with this one's appetite. She eats every meal as if it's her last.Happy birthday, Kelly! We really don't know when your ACTUAL birthday is so we use the day on which we adopted you, November 12. We don't know that much about your past, period. We're not sure of your age but the vet thinks you were 10 when we adopted you. We have no medical history on you but, thank God, with the exception of a little arthritis, you're remarkably healthy. We don't know if you ever birthed puppies. We don't know if you were abandoned or just got lost as you wore no identifying tags, just a ratty old collar, when you were found. We don't know how long you wandered the streets. In fact, when we first brought you home, we thought you were a boy.
True story: Kelly was found wandering around in an A&P supermarket in Montclair, NJ. Calls were made to the local animal control officer there and she was brought to a shelter in a vet's office in Union, NJ. Her story was posted on the Baristanet.com, a local web site that serves Montclair, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge. It read, "Anyone Missing a Chocolate Lab?" and referred to said dog as "he."Sight unseen, I contacted the owner of the web site and told her if dog was still unclaimed, I was interested in adopting 'him.' Long story short, no calls came in, no lost dog posters were put up, and the next thing I know my husband and I were driving down to Union, NJ, at 7 PM on November 12, 2008, cursing the rush hour traffic, praying that the vet would keep her office open until we arrived. She did.
It was love at first sight. Kelly was let out of "his" cage and came running up to us, almost knocking us over with "his" exuberance. A cute Labby, indeed, but a little rough around the edges, understandably. The dog's coat was several different shades of brown, so much so that I thought "he" was a mixed brindle-coated breed of some sort. The eyes were full of adoration but cloudy with the beginnings of cataracts. "He" was a little scrawny, but not terribly so. "His" fingernails were like talons.
We decided to name "him" Kelly because well, "he" LOOKED like a Kelly and it's also our last name. Rest assured, however, that had "he" been found in a King's Supermarket, "he" might have ended up as King. "Sit, A&P!" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
At any rate, the vet kept referring to Kelly as "he." "He" is housebroken, "he" appears healthy but "his" shots probably need to be updated, "he's" a very good-natured dog.
We could see that. Considering all that "he" had been though, "he" adjusted to our home remarkably well that night. Yes, "he" had a few accidents indoors at first, but that was to be expected.
The next day, I get a call at work from my husband. It went something like this:
"Hon, I don't think Kelly is a he."
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"Well, for one thing, when he goes to pee, he squats."
"It's probably because of his arthritis," I replied.
"Martta, this dog doesn't have a penis."
{{{{{{{Crickets}}}}}}}}}}I was SO glad that there was no one around to witness this conversation.
Who would think to look, really? Obviously, the vet hadn't. Adding to the confusion, I sent everyone in the world a "birth announcement" proclaiming, "It's a boy!"After we got over our embarrassment, I couldn't believe my luck. November 12 is four days before my birthday. The year before, on my 50th birthday, I got engaged. On my 51st birthday, I got the chocolate Lab of my dreams after months of "Labber pains." I'm afraid to think about my 52nd birthday. Kinda hard to top the last two.
Happy birthday, Kellikins! After a year of TLC, nutritious food, regular brushings, and lots of exercise, your coat has taken on a sleek, chocolate brown luster. Your eyes are no longer cloudy but clear and amber-colored. Although you no longer like to take long 45-minute walks, you still are full of piss and vinegar when it's time to go out, pulling on your leash to see what the neighbors have put out for recycling. You sleep through the night and have the roam of the house without disturbing anything. You stamp your feet when you're hungry and love your Extreme Kong toy filled with doggie peanut butter.
People constantly say, "What a lucky dog!" They're half right: We consider ourselves lucky for having gotten to know Kelly Da Labby.
So, happy birthday, Kelly, and thank you for coming into our lives and spreading joy and happiness. I could be having the worst day ever but all you have to do is put that big blockhead in my lap and when I look into those amber-colored eyes, I melt. We love you.
I hope you got her that new labtop she wanted, Mrs. Martta!
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Comments (32)
Thanks for this, Bsristas! The second picture is pre-adoption and you can really the difference in her appearance after one year.
In case anyone thinks this post is self-serving, it's really to remind everyone that are lots of "Kellys" (and kitties) out there that need homes, especially the senior ones. Owning a senior pet is soooo much easier than a puppy, you might want to consider it.
Nellie and her Feline Gang wish Kelly a very Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Kelly! Here's wishing you and your wonderful family many happy and healthy years together. And amen about adopting senior animals. Shelters and rescues are full of them, all overlooked in favor of puppies and kittens. I wish they all could be as blessed as Kelly was.
Happy birthday, Kelly!
Couldn't agree with the message more. Our 3 adopted pups have brought such joy to our lives.
Awww!!! who's a fuzzy wuzzum moochie poochie!! She's a sweetie!
Thanks for sharing, Mrs. M.
and Happy B-day to you both!
Happy Birthday Kelly!!!
Hope you get a mega peanut butter kong tonight!
Maybe one of these too (we love them for our dog)
http://www.greetme-eatmecards-us.com/
p.s. I have never heard the expression 'piss & vinager' before!!!!
Happy Birthday, Kelly!
Those are great, BaristaPet...she'll get one for Xmas, for sure.
Piss and vinegar...not sure of the origins but it's an old expression meaning feisty.
Happy Birthday Kelly!
And sloppy wet doggy kiss kudos to you and the hubbie, Mrs. Martta, for providing such a loving home to the old gal. That's a wonderful story!
Heartwarming! I'd say you're both pretty lucky!
You done good, Mrs. M.
"Martta, this dog doesn't have a penis."
-- Better the dog than the Husband.--
Happy Birthday!!
Professor, I suggest you start a course at your university:
Lame and Tasteless Humor 101.
Mrs Martta.. they have cute advent calendars too, so your dog can nibble one of the little bones off the raw-hide xmas tree each day. Our somewhat spoilt pooch just loves the December ritual, and when he saw me open this years (just last Wednesday it arrived), he can't stop looking at the shelf it is on!!!
I've been following this "animal tale" since the rainy cold evening last year in the A&P when my daughter and I saw "Kelly" enter the store. We made sure the manager called animal control after no one in the store claimed "him" (I thought he was a male, too). We left but came quickly back and waited to make sure the dog was picked up. I couldn't believe the dog wasn't claimed ("he" was so sweet) and I sent a tip to Baristanet, hoping this would help. I would have taken the dog myself if we didn't have a dog, 4 cats and a guinea pig at home! Thanks to Mrs. Martta for opening her heart!
Pinto, the neurotic pit bull and Pete and RePete(the cats) wish Kelly a most wonderfur birthday!!!
xoxo
Thanks so much for sharing this sweet story, it makes me a bit teary-eyed, but with joy.
The Happiest of Birthdays, Kelly! And may there be many, many more to share with MM!
I'm reminded of my own beautiful lab, Fagan, whose birthday was 11/4 (born '91, passed '92). What amazing creatures these are - we are so lucky that they deign to consort with us two-leggers.
Reminds me of Lord Byron's words about his beloved Newfoundland dog, Boatswain:
Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferocity,
Intelligence without Conceit.
A pawtastic birthday to you Kelly!
There is nothing more rewarding than offering a dog a fabulous final chapter in the book of life.
Kelly is a very beautiful and lucky girl. As I told Mrs. M on FB, I love all of Kelly's pics (especially love the one in the birthday hat). Mrs. M -- you and your hubby did a true mitzvah by saving Kelly. Don and I, and our three dogs, give you all paws up!
Happy Birthday Kelly!
So Baristanet will post a long rambling post wishing a dog a happy birthday but say nothing about the fundraiser for the PAWS animal shelter happening today at the Commonwealth Club in Upper Montclair.
Ironic, considering Kelly the dog's story. Sadly, all too typical for the pathetic "local journalists" writing at Baristanet
I thought that would be in the weekend update. I'm going to forgo the tea and crumpets and spend, spend, spend at the Commonwealth Club. Hopefully there will be some good stuff for my crazy dogs.
BTW, anyone need a Saint puppy? Very sweet 5 month old boy, came from a puppy mill and once he got too "old" they stopped feeding him and kept him in a cage. He's my foster boy and current project. He's very smart, responds very well to correction and has no bad habits - I don't allow badness. My pair are training him well. I believe he's snoring on the couch right now.
He's the perfect accessory for Christmas card photos and to keep your feet warm on the couch.
After losing my 15+ year old kitty on new years eve morning 2007 I really didn't plan on getting another pet anytime soon. Less than a year later a friend "talked" me into adopting a coworker's 10 y.o. cat. After seeing the photos of her online I agreed to take her in and when she arrived I found out she was actually 12 y.o.! We've been together a little over a year and it's true that taking in a senior animal can be a very easy transition. Her only drawback is more hairball "tossing-up" than I care to clean up but she makes up for it in many other ways. I can only hope that I can get some karma rewards in my senior years if I need them.
Happy B-day Kelly!
I think this is great, and I wish both the pooch and Mrs. Martta a great celebratory weekend.
Anti-cathar, you might, however, profitably consider an emetic for yourself. To clear your mind!
Happy Birthday & Woof! oxoxox
Anti-cathar, I used to volunteer at the shelter when it was run by PAWS, and at shelters outside of the country as well. If I had known about the fundraiser, I would have been happy to write about it. I hope the shelter had a successful event yesterday anyway.
Happy belated B'day big K! I not the pet owner type myself, but can appreciate it.
"So Baristanet will post a long rambling post wishing a dog a happy birthday but say nothing about the fundraiser for the PAWS animal shelter happening today at the Commonwealth Club in Upper Montclair."
Why didn't someone from PAWS post it to the calender? It only takes a few minutes and it's free. You can't fault the Baristas for not publicizing something that they're not told about.
BTW Baristas, the e-mail for the
4th Annual NJ FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Competition
should be .com not .net
Thanks
Is anti-cather anything like Dr. Anti- Teller?
Perils of Modern Living
Harold P. Furth
Well up above the tropostrata
There is a region stark and stellar
Where, on a streak of anti-matter
Lived Dr. Edward Anti-Teller.
Remote from Fusion's origin,
He lived unguessed and unawares
With all his antikith and kin,
And kept macassars on his chairs.
One morning, idling by the sea,
He spied a tin of monstrous girth
That bore three letters: A. E. C.
Out stepped a visitor from Earth.
Then, shouting gladly o'er the sands,
Met two who in their alien ways
Were like as lentils. Their right hands
Clasped, and the rest was gamma rays
http://dnp.nscl.msu.edu/nplinks/history.html
Happy Birthday Kelly,
Blackberry
Fussy, thank you for giving an older cat a chance. Yes, it can be very rewarding.
Ms. Marta - Great news that Kelly is doing so well! I feel personally responsible for hooking you up w/her. You did a wonderful thing by adopting an older gem!