March 30^th was a celebration at our house…our puppy Barney turned “1”.  Ben reminded me that we aren’t sure if this is really his birthday since he was found walking down a road but it was the date on our papers when we picked him up in the NH parking lot that special spring morning last year so we are going with it.  It certainly is a day to CELEBRATE.

People ask us all the time what breed he is because, well, he looks “different”..and he is.  I simply smile and say “he is God’s breed”…cause….he is.  His tall beautiful ears make up for his little bump of a tail that he sometimes tries like heck to catch…there’s no way its gonna happen but I love his determination to try-he definitely fits in this family.

He is our gift. Ben and I both had heavy hearts from each losing other dogs we loved more than anything.  Neither of us was sure we could love another dog again.. But, when he cuddles next to me gently laying his head on my lap and his paw on the corner of my laptop as I do work I know I am loved.  When he follows Ben around waiting for his next command to catch or jump with such attention, I know he knows he is loved.  When I see him on the heels of “his Boy” Liam every move he makes and never leaves his side when he is sick, cuddles up in the blanket with him and doubles as “Liam’s pillow”…I know they both feel loved.

We can learn so much from dogs, animals, our pets.  Unconditional love and loyalty is what they are all about and all they want in return is to be fed, played with and maybe a nice rub behind the ears now and then-how lucky are we?  And yet, some people seem to not care, not pay attention –drives me crazy-if they are there for you, be there for them, period.

So, while we don’t exactly know the day Barney was born or the exact linage/blood-line he holds, what we do know is that he is the sweetest little dog who gives so much more than he gets and we are so lucky that there are people out there like F.O.R Rescue (our rescue in Tenn. that we got Barney from).

I also personally think he could win a dog show any day of the year! He is pretty darn handsome.  OK, we may have some issues with the “staying in line” part of the show but hands down, he would win hearts!

For the celebration we made a little dog cake for him and sang Happy Birthday. Liam seemed more excited about Barney’s birthday than his own.  We played ball and did homework (Barney likes to listen to Liam read).  As I watched the two of them cuddle on the couch after the day I couldn’t help but be so thankful that this little dog was one of the lucky ones who got rescued knowing so many of them do not.  I will never forget the pictures I saw of the kill shelter where Barney was before F.O.R rescued him for us.  I feel so blessed that he is ours and we are his.

Celebrate the birthdays in your life and if you ever want to add a new one to celebrate…rescue a dog…..or a cat, or any other animal that is just waiting for a safe home and someone to love them-it will certainly be a day to celebrate and more than one life may end up being saved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUPPY!! We LOVE You!

Celebrate Life Everyone…Every Breath, Every Day.

Dottie