Following the loss of Tika on January 29 it was hoped a new family member might come along to fill the emptiness left by her absence.  It became more obvious as time moved along that Lilli missed Tika very much.  We went to the park along the lake on a number of days.  Being with our friends helped keep Lilli's spirits up.  We did not come across any strays for quite a long time.
 

Lilli and Azura - December 2008

Lilli-01-2008 (Special Thanks to Alan Z. who took this in the snow December 11)	Azura-01-2008

   The Incident

      Finally in early June I was driving along and saw a large and gangly stray puppy in the street.  I stopped and called the puppy over.  She came right away.  She was super friendly, full of energy and it was obvious from the large foot size that she would grow to be quite much larger than Tika.  A very playful large puppy would really annoy Lilli.  Lilli had earned the right to have a happy and reasonably calm family life.  So, I took the puppy up the street to our vet.  They agreed to take her in and try to find her a home.  She was obviously going to make someone or a family a great companion.
 

Lilli and Azura - December 2008

Lilli-02-2008 (Special Thanks to Alan Z. who took this in the snow December 11)	Azura-02-2008

    In return for taking the puppy in, the vet requested that I find another one at nearby shelter.  So, I went and looked them over.  There was a female black full Labrador Retriever who they said is about 4 or 5 years old.  They had found her as a stray back in March.  She seemed nice enough and at this age she would more likely be calm enough at home to get along with Lilli much better.  Unfortunately she was undergoing heartworm treatment.  With my getting ready to move to a new home it was agreed that the shelter would keep her until the treatment was completed in late August/early September.  By then we would be in our new home.
 

Lilli and Azura - December 2008

Lilli-03-2008	Azura-03-2008

   Hurricane Gustav

     But as late August approached Hurricane Gustav threatened us.  Lilli and I had to evacuate to Orlando again.  We only had to stay there 4 days.  Power was out in New Orleans for those 4 days, so the evacuation was fully justified.  While in Orlando an incident happened that showed me how much Lilli missed Tika even after 7 months since we lost her.  Lilli was lying on the floor in the kitchen near the door that opens into the garage.  When an unexpected sound came from the garage Lilli bolted up, ran to the door and cried frantically.  She had never acted this way before.  She thought Tika was in the garage and that we had come to Orlando to get her.  Tika had gotten trapped in that garage a couple of times when we stayed there after Hurricane Katrina.  This is why Lilli thought Tika was in there.  I felt terrible for Lilli.
 

Lilli and Azura - December 2008

Lilli-04-2008	Azura-04-2008

   Azura Joins Our Family

    A few days after we returned to New Orleans we went to get our new family member.  I came up with the name of Azura.  The name is from an old Flash Gordon Serial featuring a Queen named Azura.  She was full of energy having been caged and kept very inactive during the heartworm treatment for the past 3 months.  It only took a couple of minor incidents before Lilli and Azura became very comfortable with each other.  From the very first night Azura wanted to sleep on the bed all night with Lilli and I.  She presses up against me for the whole night.

     Azura loves chasing or swimming after a tennis ball very much they way Tika did.  We are all going out to the park at the lake for fun and to see the many friends we have made over the years out there.  Winter sees far less activity out there.  But we now live very close to the levee along a different part of the lake and we can go there every day for ball chasing and walks.  Lilli mostly just walks around and checks things out which she has always loved to do.
 
 

Lilli and Azura - December 2008

Azura + Lilli-01-2008	Azura + Lilli-02-2008

   Lilli's Health

     Even at over 12 Lilli's health is still fairly good.  Her main issue is the typical back leg and hip problems many dogs develop.  It became more and more of an issue this past summer (2008).  She was needing more and more help to stand.  I would need to lift her back end until she could put weight on her back legs.  The possibility of Vet Stem Cell injections was looked into but that seemed like a tough thing for her.  So, it was decided to try Acupuncture by our new vet, Dr. Cynthia Benbow, of the West Metairie Plaze Veterinary Clinic here in Metairie, Louisiana.  In addition Adequan injections were begun in December 2008 to help further.  The results have been fairly good.  I still have to help her up a few times each day, but for the most part she can get up on her own.  Otherwise, she gets around quite well.

     As you can see from the two pictures above Lilli and Azura have become close companions.