happy birthday to my very best friend.

Ahhh, my dog.

What a gentleman you are.

What a friend you have been....

From the very first moment our eyes locked at Candelo Markets, October long weekend 2000, when you looked at me with those then blue puppy eyes, waddled over and sat on my foot and I picked you up deciding then and there... I am getting a dog....

( could he be any cuter???!!!)

.....and I took you back to Sydney with me and you grew and chewed and when the neighbours complained about you crying- when I couldn't smuggle you in my bag and on the bus to work anymore and I had to leave you at home- and how we wrote them a letter from you saying that you were just lonely and maybe they could come and get you so you could play with their big doggy while I was earning money for dog food...

....and how I would take you down to the dog park and hit the ball 50 times morning and night ... and how you would sleep in my room curled up on the floor next to my bed ... and I would wake up to you licking my face...

....and how when we moved to Bellingen I was so lonely and sad and missing my friends and we were alone in the forest with no transport and we use to go for long walks- just you and me .... and I would tell you all my secrets....and feel safe when Chef was working at night and there was all those creepy noises outside...

... and how when my beautiful Dad passed away you snuggled in so close to me for weeks and licked the tears from my face and looked at me with such a profound look of sadness and helplessness on your sweet face that it made me cry even more....

(look at that face- so handsome!)

...and how you have leaped and jumped and danced with me during at all those parties...

...and worn all those silly capes and outfits I made for you over the years with such excitement in your eyes...

... and how every time I drive in the driveway you leap at my car like I have been gone a million years and how your life is now complete because I am home...

.... and how when Busy was tiny and you thought no one was looking you would slurp a huge lick across her bald little head then run away...

... and how patient you are with her when she tries to cuddle you and play with you and you beg to be let outside ... and I know she is driving you nuts....

...and sometimes you make me crazy when you get under my feet and drop slimy dribbled on sticks into the clean laundry basket... and never lay on your bed, preferring to be under my feet...

... and when people come to the house for the first time and all 35kg of you goes flying out of the driveway practically onto the car and they freak out because they think you are so scary but then when they get to know you they see you are the biggest sook in the world....and we try to warn them that if they throw a stick now they will have a lifetime of sticks being dropped on their foot until they pick them up and throw them... and you will remember... even if its been years you will remember a "thrower"...

What would I do without you there everyday?.. greeting me with your enthusiastic zest for life... begging for me to take you for a walk or play fetch...

Happy 9th Birthday my special friend and teacher....

......................................lamb shanks for dinner for you...