My Birthday Party!

Dear Mom,

Lynn says that I am now a mature dog since I turned four years old on September 25. Do you think that means she plans to take away my balls and donuts and rope tugs and frisbees? Oh, I hope not! Especially the frisbees - they are my absolute favorite toy!

Oh, wait. Lynn just  used the "Oh, Pepper" phrase. And then she said that she had no plans to take any toys away from me. Whew! I was a bit worried there for a minute.

Anyway, Lynn and Craig gave me a birthday party! And my favorite folks came - Nacho (swoon!), Millie, Molly, Lisa, Curt, Ian, Mila, Lukie, Kathy, Mary Anne, and Bill all dropped in during the day. And they came to celebrate me! Oh, did we have fun.

Lynn hung a birthday banner up and set out a squeaky toy birthday cake and candle, cupcakes and cookies for the humans, and the yummiest doggie cake EVER for me!

Photo of Pepper sitting in front of the table that is set for the party.

It was made for dogs, but Lynn said it smelled so good, she was tempted to try it. I gently pointed out that she had cookies and cupcakes and to please leave my birthday cake alone. (Photo of the doggie cake which smelled like gingerbread and had white icing and sprinkles on top.)

After we were all set up for the party, we sat down to wait for our guests.

She also put a bandanna on me that said, "Happy Birthday to me." I wore it all day so that everyone would know that it was my special day. Photo of Pepper wearing her blue birthday bandanna.

Lisa was our first guest, and she brought Millie and Molly with her. And you know what? Even though Lynn said to not bring me any gifts (why she said that is beyond me; I can always use more toys and stuff), Lisa brought me a box of treats! Of course we opened them then and there. (I was a good girl and shared them with Millie and Molly. Lisa, Lynn, and Craig declined. Their loss.)

Photo of Lisa with the dogs gathered around her, handing out treats.

Lisa had to go to work, but Millie and Molly stayed all day with me. Oh, how I love it when they come over to play! But we soon had more visitors - Curt arrived and he brough Ian, Mila, and Lukie! They were SO EXCITED to come to my party, and the first thing they did was to sing Happy Birthday to me. Ian played the Happy Birthday roll on our player piano while Mila, Lukie, Lynn, and I danced.

Ian pedaling the piano with Lukie and Mila dancing around the living room. 

Then we played games. One was to guess how many dog biscuits were in a jar. Ian won, and his prize was to feed me a biscuit. Mila and Lukie's consolation prizes were to also feed me biscuits! It was my favorite game of the party!

Next we went outside to play some games with my beloved tennis balls. The kids lined up and all three threw their balls at once. I went running for the balls, and whoever's ball I picked was the winner! (I asked for the prizes for this game to also be biscuits, but Lynn said I had had enough already plus we would be eating birthday cake soon.)

Lukie, Ian, and Mila with me standing in front of them. Will they EVER throw those balls for me??

And then something REALLY funny happened. Watch this video, Mom!

Lukie's ball just smelled so good, I had to switch! He'd grabbed a cookie and had frosting on his hands. I just couldn't resist!

Well, after the games in the backyard, the humans ate the cupcakes and Millie, Molly, and I had some of our special birthday cake. Curt took the kids home and things were quiet for a while.

A few hours later, my sweet Nacho (swoon!) arrived.

And promptly grabbed my new birthday cake squeaky toy! I almost broke up with him over that, but he gave it back.

I was still a little miffed - after all, it's my new birthday toy! - so I sat by Craig and well, Mom, I am a little embarrassed to say, but I pouted.

Nacho (swoon!) slipped up behind me and gave me a sweet kiss on the ear and all was forgiven. Photo of Pepper sitting at Craig's feet while Nacho stands behind kissing her ear. Mary Anne is sitting on the couch watching. (There are ALWAYS chaperones around - the two of us never get any alone time!)

Bill gave me one of his legendary ear rubs, and he, Mary Anne, Kathy, and Nacho brought me a new frisbee! Oh, joy and rapture! (I have decided that I like it when people ignore Lynn when she says, "No gifts, please.")

The afternoon party just kept getting better and better - Lisa came back!

We four dogs were so happy to see her that she finally sat on the ground so that we could all cuddle her. (And be cuddled, too. We are pretty smart like that.) Photo of Lisa with Nacho (disappearing around the side of the couch), Molly, and Millie.

Oh, Mom, I just had the best day. But I still was a little sad because some other important people weren't there - you, Dad, the kitties, and Ursula. Maybe next year you can come to my party? (Lynn just said, "Wait! What party? We just got through this one, Pepper!") 

Okay, so I'll talk to her privately and let you know. Anyway, I love you and send lots of licks, wiggles, and wags to everyone. Please pass them on for me!

Love always,

Pepper the Birthday Girl