Roxy at 5 years

Today is Roxy's fifth birthday! She may be a little grayer and a little more crotchety, but she's still as spunky as the day we brought her home. I remember trying to pick out a name with Michael the day we got her (which was actually in February once she could be weaned from her mom). I was dead set on naming our dog Bella (that was well before the Twilight series character phenomenon), but when we met her it just didn't fit. I don't remember how we came up with Roxy, but it suits her well.

This little lady has been through a lot over the last five years. She's lived in two states, three houses and gone from being the queen of her domain to low woman on the totem pole. She's had a hip joint removed, survived Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and dutifully makes car trips to Houston despite her auto anxiety.

Roxy is a great cover stealer and for being such a little thing, manages to take up just as much bed space as a human. But despite these nuances, she's a snugly companion who is fiercely loyal (as long as you rub her belly from time to time).

Roxy's reign may have officially ended 15 months ago, but she still gets to be queen for today.