Happy 14th birthday to Foozeball, aka, Foozy, Foo, Mr. Foo, Foober, Foobie, Foob, Old Man. I probably call him Mr. Foo the most lately. That, and Old Man. He is now our 2nd dog to make it to 14. Peachy was first. Before that, unlucky 13 was the end for numerous dogs in our lives. 
In general Mr.Foo is doing better than Peachy was at 14. She had gotten frail and we lost her six months later. He has slowed down a lot, but has moments where he shows how fit he really is.
Last night I let him in after he toured the backyard and it was like he was shot out of a cannon. Sometimes when the dogs go outside they come in all fired up, ready for some action.
Then they go back to bed. It's always amazing to me how dogs can jump instantly from one level of activity to another at the drop of a hat. That's why they are the best companions. Always ready.
Ready for a ride, ready for a walk, or maybe just to sleep close to where you are. Or even better, right on your lap. That's the absolute best, and it's something Fooze has come to insist upon in his old age.
Every evening around 5 or 6 o'clock Fooze NEEDS me to sit on the couch so he can sleep on my lap. He has had his supper, and that 's what he wants. I try to accommodate him by sitting down to crochet or something. Otherwise I find him sitting on my foot and that doesn't work either.
For those who might wonder how he got the name Foozeball, which of course is spelled incorrectly. Back when we got him, we rescued him from the SPCA, we were debating what name to call him. At that time we had a standard wire hair named Watson, so I suggested something to complement that like Sherlock. My teenage daughter shot down that silly idea immediately. That's just dumb.
Meanwhile he's running around the kitchen like a nut. He was 9 months old at the time. I said, well the way he's running around here we might as well call him Foozeball. And that was it. No further discussion was had or needed. He was Foozeball, which is who he is and always will be.
One of my favorite photos of my favorite dogs.
Sandie, Rupert, Foozeball, Spaatz and Miss Peachy
