He could smell me putting his cake together 2 rooms away. I could hear little yelps of anticipation. Shadow is a quiet dog, doesn't say much, doesn't bark except at the proper moments. He is definetly not a yapper. So it did my heart good to hear him getting eager for what he was smelling.
Ruth called and canceled, she is 84 and another excursion would have tuckered her out. I understood. Mom is 89, herself, and sitting up for a dog's birthday was tiring for her too (but she could see the cake that was coming for her, so she kept going.
Shadow sat there while I took a quick picture and when I set the platter down, he wasn't sure where to begin but it didn't take long. He licked the whipped cream off one of the ends and started to chow down. I like watching him eat. I annoyed him taking pictures but it hardly slowed him down. He'd look over every now and then wondering if he could eat the whole thing; I let him keep going.
Mom cut OUR cake and we shared in his moment. Mom offered his present to him, a 12" rawhide and he knew exactly what that was about. His "Uncle Terry" (Terry Hallmark) had given him a humungeous bone about 20" 5 months ago and he was familiar with the concept. I had given him the present of a life vest so he could swim easier with a little support. I put it on him and adjusted the straps and buckles and he was patient with me. We go through the same drill when we put on and take off his harnesses.
I finally picked up the platter so he wouldn't eat too much and burst. He is outside on his line right now digesting his birthday meal. Will this become a ritual and get larger each year as friends and dogs get to know Shadow? Time will tell.
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