Old Dog Birthdays are so wonderful and special but they carry the echos of the ones who left early. I want to acknowledge that. Those of us who wish our special Sparklers were still here can grieve for our beloved dogs AND be thrilled and happy to see their littermates celebrate being nine. Life is really just one long game of emotional Twister.

And so we rest our minds and hearts on Claire, Tika, and ZeD — with love and sorrow — and then we take a big breath and step happily into the party for their littermates.

NINE! That is a really big birthday 🎂 We will celebrate over the next few days, starting today with Lucas and Ruthie.

Kay and Sue send us this update from Arizona:

“Happy birthday to all of the Sparklers! We’re quite delighted that our Lucas has made it to the ripe old age of nine.

Lucas doesn’t look or act much like an oldster. He has retired from the obedience and draft rings but still loves to chase his dumbbell and then bring it back for a cheese reward. He likes to ride in the car and go to the park. He likes to pal around with his nephew Sage. He particularly loves to eat breakfast after a big happy morning greeting. Lucas has escaped any major health problems so we are looking forward to more years with him. Thanks Mary-Ann for giving us our dear Lucas.”

Thank you, Kay and Sue, for loving the boys and our long friendship.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS!!! 🎉

Lori updates us on Ruthie and all of their new adventures:
”My amazing Ruthie girl is nine! How lucky are we? We’ve had a year full of accomplishments and change, all of which we met together.

We moved to Maine, fulfilling a life long dream of mine and I dare say Ruthie probably shared that dream.

She loves it here and is living her best life. In NY she would only stay outside in our fenced yard if I was with her. Since we’ve been here I have trouble getting her to come inside. She can go in the lake whenever she wants to and loves greeting everyone who walks or jogs by.

Our new house is being built across the road from our cabin and she never misses an opportunity to run up the driveway to check on the progress.

We were able to compete in a couple of local scent work trials where Ruthie completed her overall Advanced Scent Work title.

Winter in Maine has not disappointed as we’ve had several inches of snow and it’s like living in a postcard. Did I mention that she doesn’t want to come inside?

Happy birthday to all of Ruthie’s litter mates, Kiri, Jordan, Zimmer, Lucas, and Abbie. And Zed, Claire and Tika at the Rainbow Bridge (and love to their people on this bittersweet day).”

Maybe it is the season but what I keep thinking as work on these updates is this: