Lila

"Lila, our Boston terrier, just turned two... Not a puppy, but still childish and a bit of a pain."

- Comment about Lila in 2009. Lila Tallulah was a female Boston terrier adopted in 2007. When she died in 2021 she was the longest-owned pet, a record that she still holds.

As a puppy, Lila was extremely hyperactive and social. She remained very friendly and good-natured even as an older dog, if less energetic. Lila was curious and trusting, yet also cowardly and submissive within an unbalanced power dynamic.

For a time, Lila lived with her younger half-sister, Sophie, with whom she had a violent rivalry. Lila died in 2021 after suffering from colon cancer.

Adoption and puppyhood
Lila was born at Dreamland Kennel, a breeder on a farm, in Jackson, Missouri on July 9, 2007. Along with her parents, she had at least five sisters. On August 18, Lila was chosen from among her sisters to be adopted. She wasn't brought home until September 8.

Lila was a flight risk as a puppy, escaping the house multiple times. Once she got on a full school bus and ran down the aisle before someone got her out. Another time she ran out the door and encircled the neighbor's house several times as a thunderstorm rolled in.

Fights with Sophie
Lila's half-sister, Sophie (who has the same father but a different mother), was adopted on July 25, 2009 when Lila was two.

At first, the pair seemed to like each other, but they soon became engaged in bloody, physical fights. Sophie had a more confident, dominant personality and frequently took advantage of Lila. "It’s not fair to Lila to get beat up, and it’s not fair to Sophie to spend all her time gated in the kitchen."

- You Could Call This a Blog

In one particularly big fight, Sophie chewed Lila's eye out of its socket. Lila's eye was eventually able to be recovered and put back in place. By March 18, 2010, Sophie was being put up for adoption. She left soon after.

2010 grape incident
On April 25, 2010, Lila ate a container of about 40 grapes that had been left unattended on the floor. Since grapes are poisonous to dogs, Lila quickly became gravely ill. She suffered kidney failure, had her stomach pumped, and was hospitalized for over twenty-four hours. It was discussed whether or not to euthanize her. However, she woke up on April 27 "completely normal" and was released home that afternoon.

Elderly years
As an older dog, Lila developed cataracts and eventually became fully blind. In December 2019, Lila was forgotten outside without a leash. She wandered around the neighborhood, alone and blind, for about two hours being being found. Her other senses, such as hearing and smelling, also worsened.

In May 2020, Lila began to urinate in the house even more than usual and had diarrhea. Suspecting she had irritable bowel syndrome, the veterinarian put her on steroids, which did little to help. After a July 21 appointment, the veterinarian stated that Lila likely had colon cancer and had between 6 months and 2 years to live. Other afflictions Lila likely had were dementia and arthritis.

Lila began to live primarily in her cage around April 2021, at which point her cognitive and sensory facilities had almost completely deteriorated. She began to bark incessantly for no apparent reason.

Death
By May 17, 2021, Lila's quality of life had become untenable. She was brought to the Eastline Veterinary Clinic in Clarksville, Tennessee, where she received euthanasia and died around 5:30 PM. She was 13, less than two months before her fourteenth birthday.

Trivia

 * Lila is currently the longest-owned pet. She broke Daisy's record of 12 years and 6 months in March 2020.
 * Lila has alternated between wearing classic red collars and deep purple collars. She was well-known for her grape-colored collars, leashes, and harnesses when she was younger, but has gradually phased that color out and now wears a bright red collar.
 * Lila has a history of swallowing dangerous things, such as grapes in 2010 and a pin cushion.
 * Lila has lived in 4 houses: Amite Lane, Cottage Crossing, Judge Tyler Drive, and Sango Commons Way.
 * Lila is effectively genderless; she never acted womanly.