When Tracy told me she was interested in birthday pictures for her 18-year-old pittie, Cali, I was like Hold up… how many years old?!! I could hardly believe it! Cali is the oldest dog I have ever met and has proven what I already suspected: the older the dog gets, the more precious and beloved they become.

It was such a privilege to photograph her sweet old soul…

Cali is sweet.

She never met a person or animal she didn’t like, she even recently got a new cat brother and she shares her beds with him.

Her eyes are so expressive to me. It’s like she’s trying to talk to me when she looks at me. Her ears have always been a trademark of hers. The way the one stands up and one flops over. Her big smile melts any heart.

She always played gentle with other dogs, even smaller ones. She is gentle with my small nieces and nephews, gentle taking food, treats, and meeting people. So gentle that we became Hospice volunteers & visited people who wanted a canine visit.

She has been my sidekick since I met her.

We’ve been a package deal for 15 years. She loves her family and has always shown it with kisses, snuggles, and listening to commands. She was the first animal to go inside the 100 year old church where my husband and I got married. She was a flower girl with my niece. I had to write a letter explaining why she was special to me and why I wanted her in the wedding. The board of the church had to vote for approval and they were pleased to let her participate.

Cali is resilient.

She’s had a few medical issues, but I love that she’s a cancer fighter & survivor. She was diagnosed with cancer in her leg in 2019. She had surgery and radiation and has remained cancer free until just recently.

Cali is an ambassador.

We used to do advocacy work for pit bull type dogs and rescue work for over 10 years. She changed so many minds about the stereotypes of pitties & saved many animal lives. Many people, especially years ago, thought of pit bulls were vicious, uncontrollable, mean dogs. Me being uneducated on the breed I thought the same. She couldn’t be farther removed from those stereotypes.

She was even Canine Good Citizen certified to help further break those stereotypes. She helped with changing Breed Specific Legislation locally and for the state of Ohio. She changed my whole outlook on life and because of her the need to help animals and people grew for me.

I had great family love, but never knew I could love an animal as much as I do.

My passion grew to help animals and humans.

I became a nurse, started volunteering and advocating for helpless animals, and organized different fundraising events. Charity work became a passion for me.

 Cali opened my eyes and heart.

She changed my life for the better.

She taught me unconditional love.

Happy 126th Dog Birthday Sweet Old Girl!

For Cali’s Story Album, Tracy choose teal book cloth cover and an extra snuggly photo of Cali for the front cover image.

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