Penny Lane was one of the sweetest, smartest, and prettiest dogs we have ever seen.  She was my children's companion through their childhoods.  We got her when my son was 5, and before my daughter was even born.  



Penny was an English shepherd, and she thought her job was to keep us all at home. Our friend Paul joked when she barked when he left, "The sheep are escaping!" She could tell time.  She looked at the clock every morning, and barked when it was time to take the kids to school.  



She had an area to roam in the backyard, and once built her own doghouse out of bamboo stacked in a pile.  My favorite Penny story is about her water dish.  When she was out of water, she would bring it to us--it was a silver pie pan.  One night we were watching Hello Dolly, and when they got to the part where the waiters are juggling their silver trays, Penny went and got hers.  



Penny was an especially well behaved dog.  She seemed to know who she should bark at, and who she should welcome into the house.  Everyone loved her.  I will always think of her whenever I hear, "Penny Lane is in my ears, and in my eyes."