In 2017 I welcomed two foster dogs, and it was one of the best moves I ever made.

Lily and Tinkerbell, at the ages of about 7 and 9, had already lived a very colourful life. They were adopted separately from a rescue shelter in Florida as puppies, then returned when neither home worked out. They were then adopted together by their beloved owners and moved to Ireland some years later, registered as emotional support dogs who could travel in the plane on their humans’ knees. Difficult circumstances had led to their needing fostering and a little network grew around them; Tracey Cullinane who looked after them and found their foster placements, Kathryn Slattery who fostered them, Rebecca Moriarty their groomer who helped when I hadn’t a clue about what they would need in terms of keeping their lovely coats as they should be and who they both adored.

I loved them immediately and was fascinated with how they seemed to communicate by telepathy. In tandem and with no signs of communication, they would get up from a chair and go for a walk in the garden or change beds. One memorable winter morning the gate hadn’t been fastened properly and the two headed off on an adventure leaving me to track their pawprints. Mostly though, they loved their comfort and snuggling together.

Their owners did get to spend time with them, another lovely connection made. In time it was decided that unfortunately the girls would need a permanent place, a very sad decision for them and I was so glad to offer them a home.

Sadly in 2018 poor Tinkerbell became ill and passed away. On the night before her death, there was a really powerful moment of silent communication between them as they sat side by side beside me in the car on the way home from the vet. I really worried for Lily who had never had to live without her best friend and companion. She had to adjust to living as a little individual rather than one of a pair.

But she did. I took her everywhere with me and she began to enjoy visiting my dad’s house and having cuddles with his beautiful Susie and later, Rosie as well. Her “visits” continued for the rest of her life.

Lily had to say goodbye to quite a few friends over the years with my lovely retirement/palliative fosters. There was Bruno, who adored her whole “50s film star” vibe. My Dad had a Bruno too, and Molly. Gizmo, little Oscar, and eventually Susie who hung on as long as she could to chill with her buddies. Lily loved them all and continued to keep loving them.

Lily was such a sensory loving little dog. She adored anything new, a new bed or blanket had to be sampled, rolled in, nuzzled and enjoyed. She loved a sunny day and on hot summer days, she would stretch out under the sun, probably muttering that it wasn’t quite Florida but would do! She really loved drives in the car and Horkans in Castlebar was one of her favourite spots. She could go “shopping” and sit in the café and enjoy all the admiration

Lily also participated in lots of voluntary work with me for Mayo Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animals MSPCA LTD. She helped with fundraisers, sat in pop up shops, visited the shelter, helped give talks in schools and even had an odd newspaper interview! She loved the annual dog shows and loved anywhere where she could “potter”. Lily loved exploring but had to be watched as she would drift around in a happy little daydream. She gave me quite a few frights when she would literally vanish from my side and have to be retrieved from the most random of spots!

Lily was in heart failure for a few years and because she loved to relax and live a sedate life, it was well managed with medication for a long time. Gradually walks became difficult for her but she continued to enjoy her drives and visiting. Later, she had a little doggy pram that she loved too. It was only the last year or so that she began to need help with daily life and from last April she was in a palliative situation. I always felt that I would know when she had had enough. Diuretics and steroids would help when she was struggling, and she would rally and continue to enjoy her favourite foods and her daily routine. Last September, I wasn’t sure whether she was able for the Mayo Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animals MSPCA LTD dog show but decided to bring her, thinking she could just lie on a blanket in the sun. Not a bit! Lily had a brilliant afternoon and as a friend noted “drifted around like a little cloud getting admired wherever she went”. She won a rosette and saw her Mayo SPCA friends from over the years including Mo Higgins who she sat with and shared ice cream and observations

In December, she began to struggle again, and I wondered if she had had enough. She received her usual treatment at the vet and 24 hours later, was up and about again, eating and content. She had a lovely Christmas, even though her energy levels were low. Every night I would tuck her in in front of the fire and always kept the sitting room warm for her. She took her meds with yogurt by syringe and Maisie would sit with her while she took them. She still loved her visits and following us around when there might be nice treats on the way.

She started to deteriorate again just a few days ago and I had a feeling this time that she would not be able to rally again. She was tired. We did a last treatment just in case she did want to keep going, and then a last visit to Rosie, then home to sleep by the fire until Padraig the vet very kindly came to let her go. She was ready and her body needed to rest.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who brought Lily and Tinkerbell into my life and into their little circle, as well as everyone who looked after and helped her-Tracey, Kathryn, Rebecca, Ciara McNicholas, everyone at Ballyhaunis Vet Clinic who looked after her so well especially in the last year of her life. I like to think that she has now found Tinkerbell, their beloved human and all of the little friends she loved so much in life. I miss my little white shadow and keep thinking I catch little glimpses of her around the house where there are so many wonderful memories of her.

Lucie (Feb, 2026).