Is that a llama or a bunny?
Our dog is about 17. For an Aussie, that's ancient. She had a seizure tonight. Only the second we've seen in the last few months, and presumably related to her declining health. Dh and I both ran to her bed when she cried out and watched as she rolled onto her back with her legs up. A minute later and she was fine. Her bloodwork last month was fine. We know its a matter of time, and I know she isn't happy anymore, and that makes me so sad.
Dh and I settled in for the night, only to hear one of our chickens make an awful sound. None of the three hens have laid an egg in 2013, but we have a live-out-your-life policy around here. Anyway, I grabbed a flashlight and the key to the hen house and ran outside and opened the person-sized door and saw... a raccoon. One of my hens dashed past me and headed for a corner of the coop, abandoning her hen-mates. I growled at the raccoon and suggested to my husband that he could get the damned thing out. It left. Seriously, it was eating the hens' food out of their bowl and not the hens. Must've snuck in at dusk. Young one.
When we first moved in here, the boys saw a deer walk by in the backyard. One said, "It's a llama." The other said, "No, it's a bunny."
They are still apparently working on their animal identification. I reminded them tonight that we only have three hens, so if they see four and one is wearing a mask....
= new reply since forum marked as read
Sorry to hear about your dog, that's rough. Dogs give all of themselves to us, no strings attached, it's so sad to see such bright lights fade 
But thanks for the post you write well and I enjoyed the little window into your life and home.
And 17 is really old for an Aussie, or any other collie for that matter. I've got an almost 17-year old cat on his last leg (literally). He had a stroke and his left side is not functioning. The rear left is pretty much useless. But he still purrs, likes treats, sleeps on my pillow, and hasn't needed Depends yet. I won't put him down unless he shows signs of serious pain.
