She had a fetchingly friendly smile, kind and anxious eyes and loved to sleep with her Dad and Mom. The way she half-sighed, half-snored uwhen her Dad held her just before we went to sleep each night was comforting to all of us. It was almost like a purr of a kitten, only louder. She was ticklish on her feet, especially the front ones. She loved company and rushed to greet everyone.
Lily was born on March 12, 1993 and left us on November 9, 2003. But in between those days, she had a ball! She had a tremendous disdain for "squirrlies, mouses, other doggies", and did not cotton to swimming, or water of any kind. She would stalk other dogs and crouch down to spring on them, like a tiger. Lily truly personified the old saying, " It is not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, but rather the size of the fight in the dog."
She is named in the American Kennel Club as "Robin's Sweet Lillie" but was too long, and snaggle-toothed to win any dog show. Her coat was not perfect and she was not classically correct for a Shih Tsu, but she had the most wonderful personallity of any dog her family has ever known.
She was kind to Brother Elliot but would sneak his food when he turned his head. She had quite an appetite, but kept a slim figure. She was quite an athlete and had less time for sleeping than the average dog.
Robin is especially broken hearted. She gave Lily her finest possible love and kept her groomed and clean. She slept with her Mom and Dad every night, except when company came. Then she almost always slept with them. It was like she knew they needed her comfort. She would have made a great mom.
Grammy Betty's visits were special to her and she got excited when she knew she was going to stay at Grandma's house. Miss Pippen and Clancy kept their distance, but ended up sleeping with Elliot and Lily in Miss Betty's bed. Cats and dogs all curled up together. She loved riding in the "Jeeps" and riding to the beach. But, Lily hated wash days, which was at least once a week - sometimes, though, twice a day. She had a whole lot of dog in her with the way she buried treats and chased rodents, although to us she was much more than just a dog.
There must be a place somewhere where the souls of wonderful pets gather when they leave us. If there is, Lily is there.
Lily never backed down from a fight with another dog and died undefeated. What a girl, y'all, what a great special girl. She will be missed.
Her Daddy and Momma, Her Granny Betty, and her friends do truly love her and miss her.