Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts

Monday, July 4, 2016

Go Napi, it's your birthday. And your gotcha day.


Today is the day that we celebrate Napi's fourth birthday and third gotcha day. In truth, it is neither. His gotcha day is actually in a few days, and his birthday is a mystery, but probably still a month or so away. But we celebrate both today because his puppy hood was so awful. There's no need to belabor the point - I've written about his circumstances for coming into our lives before - but celebrating both of these days today, on Freedom Day, seems fitting.


Napi is... special. He barks too much and sometimes gets scared for no discernible reason and he's much too "protective" of me (read: he's guardy and kind of a jerk). He starts fights with other dogs and carries on when people come over. But he's also sweet and cuddly and loving with those he trusts. He's incredibly playful, whether it's with Pyg or our kitten or just by himself. He can always make me laugh. He's not the smartest dog I have, but he's eager to learn. And while I don't think I'll ever have another chihuahua, I cherish him just the same.

So happy birthday, little guy. I love you.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Happy 3rd birthday, Pyg!

You know what's awesome? Facebook. Because of the power of the 'book, I connected with someone who knew Pyg in his old life in Alabama. She kindly sent me this photo of him from May 27, 2013- just a few days shy of his four-month birthday.


I learned that he had been adopted and returned, and that he lived with fosters for most of his time in rescue. I *almost* feel bad for the folks that adopted/returned him... He really is such a phenomenal dog that it's a shame they didn't put in the (very little) time he would have needed. I honestly haven't done much work with him, and he's just the best, most solid little dog. He's got such a good natural temperament. But mostly I'm selfishly glad that they didn't keep him, because I ADORE my Pretty Boy Pyg.

Happy 3rd birthday, buddy. Let's try not to spend anymore in the hospital, okay?

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Friday, August 7, 2015

Happy 5th Birthday, Lola!



I have known Lola for almost three years; I've lived with her for one. And while I never thought I would have a basset hound, I am so glad I do. Lola is sweet and affectionate. She's strong-willed and independent. She's a total pain in my ass, and yet so completely wonderful. She has completely changed my life.

Thank you, Lola, for taking care of mi amor y mi vida before I even knew him. Thank you for being (half) the reason we met. My life is so completely full of love and happiness in a way I never imagined possible. I am so grateful that you are my dog now, too.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Let Freedom Ring! Napi's Designated Birthday/Gotcha Day!


Two years ago, my husband rescued Napi. Well, it was a few days after the 4th, but since he was saved from an abusive situation, Cesar decided it fitting to celebrate Napi's freedom day on, well, the day of freedom.


Today is also the day we celebrate his birthday. When he was rescued, Napi was probably around a year. Maybe a bit less. But since we really have no way of knowing, we gave him the 4th of July for both of his important dates.


 He has a few scars from his early years, but he improves every day. Mostly, it's been a combo of meds and love; I am sure I do a lot of training throughout the day, but none of it is all the conscious. These days, after about five minutes of barking, he will settle in and play with new people and dogs.


I love Napi to pieces. He's a fabulously wonderful, difficult, horrible, absolutely amazing dog. I wouldn't give him up for anything.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Happy 2nd Birthday, Pyg!



Pyg is one of the coolest dogs I've ever known. I am so, so, so glad I adopted him. I took a big risk, and the timing was awful, but he has turned out to be exactly what I wanted. More or less.

I had a list of deal breakers and desires when I got Pyg. The list is here, but basically, Pyg stacked up perfectly. He will work for food, toys, and personal play. He will settle down and nap when things are quiet. He makes me laugh a lot. (I mean, the hoarding thing along cracks me up.) He is completely stable and confident. He is interested in others, but if I ask him to do something with me (training, play, whatever), he's glad to focus on the task at hand. He has basically no grooming needs, does great in the car, and is great fun to train! He's also incredibly loving. He loves to be pet and touched.

In fact, when he first arrived home, my only concern was his separation distress. He did not like to be left alone and he could break out of any crate, x-pen, or other arrangement. It was comical except for how annoying it was. These days, Pyg doesn't need to spend much time alone since my husband and I work opposite shifts, but even before we moved in together, Pyg was doing just fine being left alone for 8 to 10 hours a day.

The other thing I'm not crazy about is his front-end structure. He's got the typical easty-westy front legs typical of dwarfed dogs. This will probably cause problems down the line, but, I mean. How picky can I be? We don't do any sports where this will make a huge difference. I mean, I'd like to do some casual agility with him, but regular classes or competitions are not in our future.

I love Pyg. He's such a great little dog, and it continues to blow my mind that it took so long for him to find a home. Seriously - he was in rescue starting from 12 weeks. His mom and his two siblings both got adopted fairly quickly, but Pyg? Had to travel across the country to find his forever home.

I'm glad it's mine.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Happy 8th Birthday, Maisy!

Today is Maisy's 8th birthday. I can't believe she is firmly middle aged now. It seems like just yesterday she was a puppy.

The day I met her. The day my life changed forever.
This last year has been hard; she was so terribly sick last fall. Everyone but me knew that she almost died. I still can't really make that work in my mind. I just can't let myself think about her dying. I am glad that I have been spared that heartbreak.

Maisy was on steroids from last fall until the end of June. She was weaned off them slowly, and she's done wonderfully without them. I haven't seen any sign of relapse, for which I am grateful. Because her illness was immune-mediated, she's always at risk of it happening again, but so far, so good.

Maisy saw the ophthalmologist last week and was discharged. Although she still has some corneal dystrophy, it has improved greatly. Maisy will continue to receive the eye drops twice a day for the rest of her life, but unless her eyes get worse, she won't need to see the eye doctor again.

So all in all, Maisy is doing wonderfully, and as we enter this new year, I'm grateful for everything.

So happy to have my hiking buddy back.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Happy 4th birthday, Lola!

I have never felt any particular attraction to basset hounds... but when I look at this face, my heart is full of love. Happy birthday, Lolita.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy Birthday, Napi!


Today is the day we celebrate Napi's 2nd birthday. In truth, we don't know exactly how old he is, although 2 is a pretty good guess for him. We also celebrate Napi's Gotcha Day today, although that isn't his exact date either (that actually happens July 6th).

You all remember Napi's story, right? The dog who belonged to my fiance's neighbors? Cesar saw the neighbors beating him, went over and said, "you don't like the dog, so give him to me or I call the cops," and came home with a new dog. He meant to find him a new home, but... well, he's about as good at fostering as I am.

Napi is not a dog I would have ever chosen for myself. I don't particularly care for chihuahuas, I didn't want another crazy dog, and he's not even scruffy! But over the past year, I've grown to love Napi deeply. Napi is a definite mama's boy. Wherever I am, he is. As I type this, he is curled up next to me, his chin resting on my leg. I am very, very glad this dog is in my life.

So happy birthday and welcome home, baby boy! We love you so very much.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Happy Birthday, Maisy!

Maisy is the big F-I-V-E today. I can't believe she went from this:

 Maisy at 18 weeks.
 To this:

 Maisy on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Megan.

Happy birthday, little Muppet dog. I love you more than you'll ever know.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Happy 4th Birthday, Maisy!

From this:
Picture taken one day after her three-month birthday.


To this:
Picture taken today at Afton State Park.