happy birthday to...

today is duke's birthday!!!
or so i made up
because i don't actually know his birthday
but either way - he's 8 years old now

duke didn't have the best start
but as sean tells him all the time, he doesn't know just how good he has it now

back in 2003 i knew i was ready to take the responsibility leap
so i asked my friend that worked at a vet to be on the lookout
the phone call came
some cuties had been confiscated by an animal control officer from a puppy mill
a boy and a girl - the girl was already spoken for - but not the boy
he had tape worms and fleas and was weaned too early
but he was so teeny-tiny and timid
and as another friend put it "you know he's coming home with you..."
and that he did!

and my life hasn't been the same since - in a good way
he's quite the traveler - we often say he's been to more states than most people
we've lost count now
he's even been outside the country now

his favorite things are:
car rides

playing ball

and napping

his greatest memory to date is the day he helped Sean ask his mommy to marry him

he's officially his daddy now - he got adopted when we got married
he was even a part of our big day - yes, we're those kind of people

and now we're off for a birthday treat - can you guess what it is...

happy birthday dukie!  here's to many, many, many more years!