Today marks the 7th Anniversary of the day we brought Rita Mae home to join our family. Since we left for Sandy Eggo on her birthday this year (she just turned 9 on July 17th – she was 2 when we rescued/adopted her) we tried to make today extra special by staying home, giving her extra love and attention, and making sure we had some extra special dog treats with which to spoil her. (Unlike the way we spoil her every other day, am I right?) To help celebrate the day, here’s a small selection of my favorite pictures of my girl through the years she’s been with us.

2012

I still have the on-line ad from her foster agency from 2012, where she was given the name “Issy” for identification purposes (since she had been abandoned and they didn’t know her real name):

She is the same color and similar breed (Jack Russel Terrier mix) to our first dog, Clyde (Rat Terrier mix) which might have been part of what drew me to her. This was her in the office as we were filling out adoption papers:

And here she is feeling safe in Jeffrey’s arms.

2013

We bought her a dress for a holiday party we were having.

And helped her bring out her bookish side.

She showed us one of her favorite poses at the vet’s.

And she filled us with pride graduating from her puppy behavior class,

2014

We discovered her true inner superhero as Rita the Wonder Dog

And really began to spread her wings…er…ears.

2015

Rita finds her inner Edie Bouvier Beale (with a cameo from little bro Harvey)

She also continued to find new and intriguing places to chill out around the house.

2016

Rita makes a new friend – Baymax from Big Hero 6.

And continued to accessorize her wonder costume.

2017

Rita Mae loves to lick as she shows me here, while prancing on the backyard stone wall.

And never says no to lounging in the sun on the back porch.

2018

Rita joins in the holiday festivities.

Rita tries her hand (or paw) at opera.

Apparently it’s true: nobody likes a critic.

My rhinestone cowgirl!

2019

Rita enjoying her favorite pastime…napping on her blanket.

7 years later, Rita Mae is still my little girl, my precious and perfect puppy princess.

We love you Rita Mae! Happy Adoption Day.