On a typical lazy afternoon yesterday, Smug curled up in a ball on the Settee, resting her head on my tummy. I looked at her for ages until she fell asleep, and it just hit me that the areas around her brows and her lashes are greying, although she acts like a little puppy, she is after all, a five year old dog now, from what people say about large dogs only live up to 12, 13 years, Smug is supposed to be nearly way half through her time ......

This sweet little thing sleeping soundly on my belly has given me over four years of her life, greeting me when I go home from work, doing daft things to cheer me up when I'm sad, being my only motivation for exercising (dog-walking), sharing my calories at meal times so that I can stay slim. She gives me absolutely her everything and never holds back, accompanies me during those lonely years after returning to Hong Kong from Britain, whenever I need her, she's there waiting to pounce on me eagerly. Sometimes mum laughs at the way she watches my every move so closely and intensely round the house, it's like she doesn't want to miss anything in my life, it's like she knows she has limited time..... She managed to turn our perceptions/prejudice towards mixed-breed dogs around, she manages to make us laugh every day. Every time I look at her, I'm so glad that I gave her and myself a chance four years ago, to love and to be loved.....

She looked so cute sleeping, and I happened to have my mobile phone on the Settee with me, so I took these pix:

Fast asleep like a baby
Image005

Waking up when I couldn't hold back smoothing her
Image021