Llangwm Ffansi (which means ‘fancy’ in Welsh) turns 14. She is the last of my first generation of dogs from Aled Owen, in Wales. She has arthritis and double cruciate ligament disease, but she is out walking around for most of the day, every day. Unfortunately, those lines are known for osteoarthritis, and I didn’t find out until later. Ffansi has always had a kind of gutsy determination to press on, never one to be left out. She wants to be doing what everyone else is doing. Even at 14, she won’t back down from the challenge of #2 female, 3 year old Nel. Ffansi has her dignity to defend.

Ffansi adored my favorite dog of all time, Seren, 2 years older than her. Ffansi was content to be 2nd female. Never a cross word between them. They were beautiful together.

Photos of Ffansi in years 1 and 2: a strikingly beautiful young tricolor female with a big smile.

Even with her limited mobility, Ffansi insisted on taking her turn on sheep last summer and showing the youngsters she still has it in her.

Out in the snow with others this morning with the gang, as ever, not one to be left out of the action. 🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY FFANSI !! 🎂