Dogster

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Me and my Mom

Birthday Reflections

Today is my birthday. I'm 12 years old today, and in human years that means I'm 83 years old. Mom is happy for me, but I can see the concern in her expression. I'm losing my hearing, I sleep more than the cats during the day, and I don't like to play anymore. Mom had my boodwork done in September, and it looked beautiful. But, I'm mom's special dog. I've been here since I was 6 weeks old. Mom was in her 20's when she got me, I was her first dog as an adult human. Her children were 4 and 5, I was there when they both started kindergarten. Now they are both in high school, and I will see them graduate. I've been there for mom when she's been happy, silly, sad, and lonely. I was there for her when her brother got cancer and died. I saw her change. She has given me a forever home, and has returned the love that I so openly give her. She has forgiven me when I spread trash throughout the house. She has always been there for me and taken care of me when I was sick. I have had a full, happy 12 years. Mom doesn't need to worry, I'm healthy and plan to stay by her side for a long time. Thank you all for your birthday gifts and wishes. This is a special birthday, indeed.

Man, it's cold outside...snuggle time

It has been cold here in Oregon, my friends. We have been down in the low 20's and Mom has been praying that we stay out of the teens. Mom likes to sit by the fire at night, but last night, she sat away from the fire. She bought an old movie and really wanted to watch it, so she sat by the TV. Big mistake. She had her coat on zipped all the up, covering half her face. Her nose was like ice. Mom is always the coldest one in the house anyways, so this was brutal, all to watch a movie! I did not like this one bit. It is my job to protect and look after Mom, and I take my job very seriously. I walked away from the fire and sat in front of Mom and whined. "This is not like you, are you feeling ok?" Mom thought to herself. She took her hand out of her pocket and petted my face. I took this que and slowly put one foot on the recliner and stood there. The petting continued, so I slowly inched forward and got my back legs up. I stood there hunched on the recliner, waiting to see her response. She must've had a moment of mental disfunction because she smiled and said, "Ok, lay down." Oh, how I basked in this moment! I laid on Mom's right side and across her lap, and settled down for a nap. I was able to complete my instinctive need to keep my owner warm and safe. She understands me, she "gets" me. "You complete me!" I told her with my eyes. And we sat together, warming each other up, having our special moment, and knowing true love between a dog and a human. Man's best friend, indeed.

Tree hugger

My family has a Christmas tree up once again. I, out of all the animals that share the household, love Christms trees the most. Ever since I was a young lad, I enjoyed drinking the water out of the tree stand. I also stand with my head close to the trunk, so that the humans only see my hind quarters sticking out of the tree. They watch, thinking I'm going to chew the branches, but no, I just like to stand there having the tree touch my back. I stand for a long time, not moving, every Christmas. This year, I've taken it to the next level. I have started sleeping under the tree. Mom has not yelled for me to come out. I guess she figures that I'm old, losing my hearing, and I'm not going to break anything, so she lets me lay by my beloved tree. Lights flickering, shiny gold hanging from the branches, and a warm fire - is this heaven or what? 'Tis the season for comfort and joy, my friends!