Here’s…Lucy!

Gail Robinson Butler is the director of the Clemens Fine Arts Center at West Kentucky Community & Technical College. When she's not bringing wonderful talent to the stage, she's entertained at home by her own shining star, Lucy. She tells their story:

About Lucy:
Lucy Fur Robinson Butler is a 4-year-old Miniature Dachshund. She is a shiny black and tan princess and she is an expert at "The Look," which usually gets her anything her little heart desires! Oh, and she really likes bling!

How Gail got her:
A local breeder, who also happened to be an acquaintance, knew I had an older pet that was in poor health. He invited me to visit their kennel if something happened. It happened, and eventually I went and fell in love with a tiny black and tan 1-week-old puppy. I visited her every weekend so she would know me from the very start.

Dachshund No. 2
Lucy is our second Dachshund. Our first was Fancy and she lived to be 12 when we lost her to pancreatitis. So after a long happy life, Fancy went to wait by the bridge into everafter for her masters to join her. I was lost without her and knew we would get a new pet, and she, too, would be a daschund, but different from our tomboy girl, Fancy.

I selected the tiniest pup of the litter and named her that day! I had just played the role of Lucy in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and thought she just looked like she had a "Lucy kind of attitude." Guess what? She does!

Lucy's Dashund's Philosophies
Lucy is really a family member. She knows her toys by name and searches diligently until she finds the one you asked for or...the one she wants. She loves to sleep under the cover at night (or actually anytime). She sometimes hides under the bed when I tell her we are going for a walk.

Oh, and she is the best burglar I know! She takes lipstick, paper money or whatever she wants from my purse. She has a whole stash of things she collects and hides under the bed.

She is brave and stubborn, loving and loyal, and cute, cute, cute. Her philosophy is taken from Dachshunds for Dummies:

• If I like it, it is mine.
• If I think I might like it, it is mine.
• If I can take it from you, it is mine.
• If you take it from me, it is still mine.
• If it is mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way!
• Oh, and by the way, you are mine, too,

Her most amazing skill?
Manipulating Tom (Gail's husband, Tom Butler) and me in every way possible.

What Gail loves best about Lucy?
Her spirit!

Lucy's biggest challenge?
She is really defiant sometimes. I believe she thinks that there are just certain things that are worth getting in trouble for, so she does them. We overcame them by Lucy, Tom and I knowing our limits. She is really very smart and knows when she has gone too far and is in trouble. Then, she wants to make up.

How Lucy has changed Gail's life:
Things revolve around her, much like a kid! When we go out of town, Lucy has a house sitter. We know that is overboard but she would be sad in a cage in a strange place and it really is all about her!

Any advice for others thinking of owning a pet?
Make sure you have the time and resources to take care of the pet and its needs. They need your attention, time, love and care. It is a real commitment and you should think about what it takes to give a pet the home it deserves.

What Lucy means to Gail:
Love, loyalty, and lots of fun and company. Oh, and did I say, she is cute, cute, cute!

---