We adopted Liefde (as Ladia) from NBRF, in early 2011. We learned
from her foster home, that NBRF saved her from a life of considerable
hardship and an abysmal fate. Given that, we could understand her
craving for peace and harmony. She was a loving girl – so much so, that
her “foster mom” had a lot of trouble giving her up, and made triple-
sure we were ok as a new home. (Which is how she got her new name:
Liefde is “love” in Dutch…)
At that time we adopted her, she was approaching 7 years old, and she
was described as having a stubborn streak. Well, that was true, but she
was just stubborn in that endearing Borzoi way – she knew what she
wanted, but was willing to negotiate to a mutually beneficial outcome.
In the months after we adopted her, we had to remind ourselves that
she was a recent arrival - and she was adopted at a mature age for a
large dog… It seemed like she always was, or should have been, a
member of our household. [She and our older & bigger male Borzoi,
adopted independently after his previous owner’s death, also worked
things through. They quickly worked out accommodations, for
positions on the couch, and other critical matters!]
Liefde stayed an integral part of our household in the years since, secure
in love for people around her, and craving a peaceful family life. As the
original NBRF posting suggested, she wasn’t particularly fond of small
dogs (put mildly), but she walked up to every person we’d come across
on our long walks, if they suggested any interest in saying hello, for a
sniff and an “air-kiss”. She loved any bit of attention she’d get, from
anyone who was quiet and attentive.
She enjoyed long walks through the woods, walks to a local bakery for
coffee and croissants, and travel when it accorded comfy hotel beds and
time with our immediate and extended family – she even tolerated her
aunt’s Tibetan Spaniel during family visits! (As long at the Tibby was on
someone’s lap...)
She started slowing down in 2014 with early signs of laryngeal
paralysis, but she was still able to get around and travel with the family.
The progression of the neurologic disease eventually kept her from
being able to climb stairs or jump onto “her couch”. She barely

recovered from a bout with aspiration pneumonia at the age of 13. Her
strong will helped her come home after 5 days in the hospital – wanting
to be home with her family, and not wanting to leave us again. She
didn’t.
In her final weeks, she still wanted to turn off of our shorter & shorter
walks, hoping for that long walk to get her croissant… By this time, she
was barely able to make it around the block. However, she’d still get a
youthful prance in her step, when she sighted little dogs!
She died on September 9, 2018. She was over 14¼ years old,
demonstrating the fact that a mature Borzoi can still have a long and
fulfilling life, after adoption. When she came to her “forever home”, we
told her that she had to live with us at least as long as she lived, prior to
her rescue - she came through on that promise, and more.
She was a trusting and loving girl, and we miss our “Lovely Liefde”.