Lucy's story, as told by Ellyn, her mom:

"Lucy, a little Border Collie, came into our lives via a birthday card given to me by a special friend. The card stated "GOOD FOR ONE PUPPY AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER". Shortly thereafter, I found myself sitting cross-legged in the Visitor's Yard at the local shelter, surrounded by scrambling, tumbling puppies. One in particular, a 9-week-old black and white ball of twirling fluff, demanded my attention by repeatedly bounding into my lap, staring deeply into my eyes and whispering, with puppy breath, "I am the one!"

And so it was that on a lucky September evening, Lucia Mezzera Boone joined our family. She followed us everywhere, nipping at our heels and staring for unbelievable periods of time without blinking. She won our hearts with her determination to defy gravity by hurling her little body through the air from any elevated surface. We nicknamed her "Rocket Girl".

Lucy, now four years old, has matured into a well-mannered young lady. She occupies her time with agility classes (and an ever-expanding array of obstacles in the yard) and Pet Assisted Therapy visits to nursing homes. Her favorite toys are her plush Orca whales and a talking Fisher Price camera. She proudly trots around the house carrying three slippers at once, and is currently practicing with four.

Lucy also has a talent for creating beautiful abstract paintings using her white-tipped tail as a brush. She is one of the founding artists and a regular contributor to PAWS FOR LOVE, an annual fundraiser which is held each February in Sonoma County, California. Money raised from this benefit helps to fund the Sonoma County Animal Shelter’s Mobile Animal Center (M.A.C.), which is used for spay and neuter outreach programs, mobile adoptions, community and school educational programs, and disaster relief. Most of the artwork sold at the PAWS FOR LOVE events is created by shelter animals, though on occasion, other talented four-footed critters paint and contribute as well. This red, white and blue canvas created by Lucy, entitled "Dog Bless America" and dedicated to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and the thirteen dogs sent to the WTC, was one of the first paintings to sell at the 2002 PAWS FOR LOVE event.

We are so proud of Lucy. She is our constant companion, steadfast guardian, and best friend."

I twirl, therefore, I am.

A crisp new bandana and a snappy purple leash - recipe for adventure!

Life is like an agility course - sometimes you must pause to let your partner catch up.