In the days when Shirley, Jenny and Bunny would return to the barn at night, there was always a celebration upon entering the doors. It was like it was a whole different world to them, one they had to greet with much excitement. These celebrations were reminiscent of reunions of those who had been separated for years—yet for them, it had only been seconds between their arrivals in the barn. This was the extent of the love and happiness they felt just having each other. After Jenny's passing, these vocal celebrations continued with Shirley and Bunny, but with Tarra taking part more often. One of Bunny's favorite things to do was to trumpet in Shirley's ear. She would take her trunk, squeeze it past the hairs guarding the opening of Shirley's ear, and with her trumpets blaring, Shirley would squint with each repeated announcement of her joy. (And for the sake of fairness, Bunny would curl her trunk around and trumpet just as loud into her own ear.) Caregivers would have to take turns letting the Ladies in, each one wanting to witness a bliss that was undeniable and infectious.
Unfortunately after Bunny's passing, these regular barn celebrations ceased. Shirley still vocalized and would engage Tarra in play, but that little ceremony seemed to have been lost. That is, until this week.
Since starting some new anti-inflammatories, Shirley has definitely gotten back a little ‘pep in her step.' She has been a little more vocal and we are witnessing a little bit of her superior grandma attitude return. We welcomed the spontaneous return of her stick throwing, high-pitched trumpeting, leg swinging, roaring, bellowing announcements that ‘life is good.' This afternoon in the barn, Shirley got going and of course Tarra joined in. (Watch the video—and be warned, you may have to adjust your volume down a bit!) Shirley even modified Bunny's trumpeting in the ear ritual—trumpting into Tarra's mouth, instead. All the while, Tarra had as much fun as Shirley, even though her grunts and barks were being drowned out by Shirley's exuberance.
Words cannot possibly express the feelings that went through her caregivers' hearts and the teary smiles Shirley brought on by this playful demonstration and vocal interaction. Such a happy Girl!