Happy Birthday Mr. Man & Sandy

Dear Mr. Man & Sandy, On the occassion of your shared birthdayI write a note to let you know how much I love each of you. Mr. Man, holy smokes what a year it's been. I have typed out paragraph after paragraph, but all much too personal for cyberspace. However, I want to acknowledge that last year at this time you were so sick. It took a few months for you to get better, and I am so grateful for your good health. It is something I don't take for granted and I want the universe to know it. There is a lot to celebrate this month, and I'm excited to spend the next year working on projects together. I'm grateful for the amazing dad that you are, and for the fabulous husband you are. Even in one of the worst economies you have been an excellent provider, working hard to provide for our family. Being around you makes me want to be a better person, and I love being with you. Oh Sandy the Wonder Dog, What a year you have had! Twice this year, I have taken you to the vet to be told you had days left. There is something in you that just won't quit, and you have stunned the vets with a remarkable turnaround. You have lost 15 pounds due to illness, your hips are stiff, and we have to help you stand up in the morning, but I wouldn't change a thing. Sandy, for the past fourteen years you have greeted me with exuberance and treated me like I was the best thing to walk in the room. You've done wonders for my self esteem.

You are the best family dog. The kids lay on you, bury you in stuffed animals, pull your ears, and you just wag your tail and nuzzle them. The kids love to sit in your spot on the couch, and watch you try to tell them to move. You nudge them over, snorting and grunting to show your dissapproval, while they happily oblige with giggles. Sitting in "your spot" is a sure fire way of getting to snuggle with you. The kids love to lay on you while they watch a movie.

You snore, and you snore LOUDLY, so you have been banished to a bed in the kitchen at night so we can have a peaceful slumber. For two years, you have protested this by whining and banging on the dog gate. Every night you try to tug at our heartstrings. You have been losing some of your vision, and I am convinced you are going deaf. The vet proved to me that your hearing loss was selective. You can hear a piece of food drop 100 feet away, but can not hear us calling you to come inside the house. Don't even get me started on your sneaking out.You have never been the type of dog to bolt out the door. Then eighteen months ago you started sneaking out to taunt the neighbor cats and dogs. I don't like you wandering outside by yourself. You slip out every chance you get, sniff the neighbors lawns and then come home to bark and scratch at the front door. Sandy, you have more personality in one paw than most dogs have in their entire body. I know, I know, you are just a dog... There are a million labradors named Sandy in the world, but none are as unique as you. Even the vet has acknowledged your personality is not the personality of a dog and your intelligence is off the charts.

Mr. Boy's birthday wish was for you to live forever. It broke my heart that I had to tell him that I didn't know if that was possible. You might just prove me wrong, you stubborn dog. I told Mr. Boy that during the puppy days, we were told you were not likely to make it. Sandy, you beat all the odds then and I want you beat the odds now. If I had one wish I'd wish for you to outlive us all.

Happy Birthday & Much Love,

Moi