Dearest friends,

Today I am celebrating my fifth birthday. In dog years, that means I’m now 35! I’ve already found my first gray hairs and become quite calm and subdued (versus my previous crazy puppy days of chewing up stairs and jumping in bushes). I do still appreciate chasing a good ball for a few minutes, though.

I still don’t get along with the cats although I definitely don’t care about chasing them anymore. I’m not so sure they believe that, though, and still seem to feel convinced that I want to eat them. In truth, I just want to smell them more closely and try to figure out what sort of strange dog breed they are. And of course personally thank them for the wonderful poop-filled treats they leave in that plastic box upstairs. Delish!

Aww, right? Wasn’t I just the cutest puppy ever?? But don’t let that cute little puppy face fool you. I was a devil. Even after all these years, mom has still not forgotten that. And she still has holes in her pants to prove what a sharp toothed little terror I was.For some reason, she always sugar coated her frustrations with me in the old blog, and tried to hold back. In retrospect, I’m sure she would have loved to tell people that I was surely sent straight from hell to terrorize her. I even made her cry the first two days she spent alone with me at home. I’m telling you ya’ll, I was rough on her. But I’m making it up for it now but giving her lots of kisses and I lean on her for petting every chance I get (when I’m not too busy sleeping of course).

Thankfully the wild, crazy puppy years have mostly passed and although I do still get super excited and have absolutely no control over my tail whatsoever, I am not quite as prone to bowling people over as I once was. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect; I will still take you street skiing if there’s a dog nearby that I must verbally assault. And if I am playing with another dog and we happen to run your way, you better watch out for us because we cannot both play AND watch where we’re going at the same time. But in general, most of the dogs on our block have aged a bit, or been replaced with newer versions, so my days of crazy play have definitely wound down a lot.

Now, in my more mature years, I appreciate the plushness of our couch. So instead of spending all night sleeping on the oh-so-cold terrazzo floors in our entry way and holding the front door shut with my body, I now prefer to lay on my blanket on the couch most of the night. Just don’t be silly and try to close the living room door when you go to bed at night — I will bark (and keep barking once every minute) until you get up and resolve the door issue.

I have no idea why you think I should exit the house by the door which is nearest to you, but let me assure you that the doors closer to me really do make more sense if you live in my world. So come join me here. We’ll both enjoy the new change.

I have yet to comprehend just how big I actually am, and if it were up to me, I would be sitting in someone’s lap all the time. I would also let you take me everywhere in a handbag if you wanted. Just as long as I can peak out to satisfy all possible opportunities for loving. And that does mean that if anyone walks in our direction and even remotely glances at me, we must go over to them and allow them to pet me. Trust me, it’s going to make their week!

I am happy to say that after a little over 2 years, I have finally gotten my jealousy in check. And although I am the first born child, I understand that some people would just rather talk to the little person first instead of me. Clearly they do not realize that I am an excellent kisser. But at least mom and dad have learned to give me some extra love when people forget I like to get my love first. And I haven’t managed to knock the kiddo down by rushing past her in several months! Of course that’s probably because she’s way better at walking now than she used to be.

Speaking of little people; I would like to state for the record that although I love Mackenzie dearly and could never actually be mad at her for anything, I am actually a dog…not a horse. I don’t mind playing pony with her from time to time and once she even seemed to be pretending that I was a bronco. And even though we have a lot of fun together, I am still not going to let her force me to wear those evil snow booties that mom bought. I look like such a tool in them and they don’t even stay on my feet. But I am thrilled that she’s getting the hang of how to use the brush without beating me. I might even let her become the official brusher of my beautiful satiny black coat. And she sneaks me treats all the time which is a really nice plus.

To all who have loved me in person and online for the last 5 years, thank you for your attention. I hope there are at least another 5 years ahead that are just as fabulous…maybe even 10! And make sure you remind my mom to give me something extra special tonight in my dog bowl! 😉

Extra wet Newfie kisses,