Vines

I went for a short walk after work. This is what I saw.

The vet called us around 7:30 this morning to tell us that Delilah died overnight. We're heartbroken. Please look at photos of our wonderful girl.

Here's the obituary I wrote for social media:

Delilah, our smart, sassy and lovable chocolate Pomeranian, died Wednesday after a short illness. She was 14.

She made her intelligence known at an early age, when she would learn a trick in minutes. She would sit, spin, lay down and give kisses. She was great at demanding that people pet her and give her food, even if they were strangers. When told “jump, jump,” she would leap from her ottoman to the couch, which she did with ease until she was nearly 14. She understood multiple phrases and knew location-based directions in different houses. She was likely the ringleader of a successful escapade to steal pizza from Jill with Rosie and Bella, who Jill was keeping at home before giving them to her mom. If she could speak, she probably could hold a conversation.

She loved cheese curds, treats, fresh-baked bread, wine, humping her stuffed animal toys, begging for people food and spending time by herself in dark rooms. She strongly disliked head scratches most of the time, and only she would let you know when it was OK to pet her head.

She could hold a grudge for years, including an eight-year spat against a house-sitter who touched her head once when Delilah was young. She finally dropped that grudge this year. When she was upset, she would turn her back to you and not respond to her name. She was also affectionate when she wanted to be. She would cuddle at night in bed or on the couch and watch shows and movies with Jill and Alex.

Delilah was born on March 24, 2009, and Jill got her shortly after Delilah first opened her eyes. Delilah and Jill were partners in crime through life’s ups and downs, new jobs, friendships, relationships, long road trips and moving to new homes. In one home, Delilah would often walk upstairs to be alone while Jill worked downstairs.

Delilah settled down as an only Pom for a few years until, much to her chagrin, her father, Riddle, moved in. Riddle recognized her in no time and accepted her. Delilah was unhappy at first but grew to love Riddle and defend him. In her twilight years, she would sometimes allow him to share a bed with her, something she had never done in her life.

She enjoyed chasing the cat, Amelia. She learned to tolerate Bruno, who joined us in early 2020. In her final years, she would howl along with Riddle when he needed to sing. She enriched our lives and the lives of everyone who met her. She was a good girl.

Delilah is survived by Riddle, 18, and countless half siblings and cousins.