HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!

I'm not one to focus on the past...  but doggone I was cute!

Dad liked me from the get-go.  Except when I forgot to get and I'd go on the carpet.  My bad.

Though I came into the Phillip home sometime in October, I was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my mom.  Which was fine.  I slept well under that tree.

Mom was reminded by dad every single day that I belonged to her and that she was responsible for cleaning up after my ornery self...  but when chill time came around and there was a good movie to watch or a game...  dad and I bonded and I was the perfect friend to keep him company.

Mom loved me, I could tell.  She forgave me for every single spill of pee or poop on that new white carpet.  And she kept repeating the words, "Merry Christmas to me".  There was something unsure about her tone...  but still...  treats would follow.  And as long as I was being rewarded for my bad behavior it would continue.  Oh how I used to play my mom.  BOL!

I loved the rules they set down for me.  Like, no sleeping on the human bed.  It was a challenge.  And if I must say so myself, way too easy a challenge.  These peeps were like putty in my paw.

But I enjoyed my alone time too.  My cage was filled with soft blankets and good smells.  

I did have purpose though.  When the peeps were sick it was my responsibility to care for them.

I was smart.  Very smart.. in that I knew how to get what I wanted.

Walks and making friends with kitten's was always my favorite thing.

I enjoyed my family.  It was a two way street though.  It wasn't just them giving to me.  I gave them so much too.  Because I love them.  I didn't have to bark a word.  They knew.

More challenging was when I was given the position of guard dog to the new babies.

It was a constant watch for me that no harm came to them.  Good news is, as they grew in size their hands were able to hold cookies and they repaid me over and over again for my past loyal care.

Ahhhh... my life.  Looking back I see how lucky I was.

And even now I feel the love as I grow older and they go out of their way to make things easy and enjoyable for me.  Dad even built me a ramp to get up onto the bed that I'm not allowed on... BOL!!!

My mom has a very sick sense of humor.  Is this what she really wants for me?  MOM!!!!

I know, I know.  You're wondering at this point... why am I reminiscing about my last 12 years of life this way?  

Well, you might as well know. ....  TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!  

And oh... just want to share one last thing.  I LOVE MY BLOGGING BUDDIES and want to thank you for years and years of love right back at me!  

I must go now.  There are special things planned for me today and I don't want to miss out!