Happy Birthday to Meeeeee!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Me!

Ten years ago today, I showed up as a not-so-big, probably somewhat slimy, yet oh-so-adorably cute, ball of fur. Not ball of fluff, that would be Orion, but cute nonetheless. And now, a whole entire decade later, here I am! Full of a lust for life, and snow, and naps. Ain't life grand?

So let's see, what has my day entailed? Well, I had a wonderful snooze in the morning, and then I got to wake up the Humans. It was past 7AM, so they should really thank me, weekend or not. Plus, it's my birthday! I only get one of those each year (although, shouldn't I get seven per human year?) so I've got to make each minute count! That was followed by the usual bathroom break, and then breakfast. But then, unlike a normal day where everybody leaves me, I got to snuggle on the couch while we watched TV! Oh, it was great - human laps really do make nice pillows. From there, it was a series of naps, stretches, yawns, another nap, and then a serious brushing (outside, no less!) and, then, a walk! A glorious, wonderful, tiring walk! Oh how I loved it.

After the walk, I got a paw-dicure, and then a delicious chew, and then it was time for another nap. I have since completed that nap, and thought I would toss this together for all my well-wishers out there, in case, you know, it slipped your mind or something. Have no fear, I am well: well-rested, well-fed, well-walked, well-brushed, and, well, well.

That's all, folks!

Where do you think you're going?

Leaving? What do you mean, leaving? You just got here! I behaved while you were at work, and now you come home, let me outside to do my business -- remind me again why I can't just go inside? It's nice and warm there... -- toss some food in my bowl, drop your European Carryall and grab another bag, and then you're out the door like some traveling salesman! What's up with that?! Honestly, Second Dad, you need to take a moment, slow down, and play with me. I've been home all day, all alone, with only the couch to keep me company, and he's starting to smell. Oh, sure, I can carry the tennis ball around for a while, but it's not nearly as fun as when you chase me around the place.

I'd like to blame it on winter, but I know that's not the case. Silly school. And work. You know, Second Dad, I have this great, foolproof plan for getting out of school and work. You just say that you're "not compatible" with anything they offer you. It worked great for me! Of course, I did have to go all the way through school... maybe on second thought you shouldn't try that. See, the plan was foolproof, is foolproof, it's just that neither one of us is a fool, and so we saw right through it. Good work - glad to see you've got your head on straight. Atta Boy!

Just remember - all sleep and no play makes Hagrid a very persistent furry ball of energy!

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." ~ Jonas Salk

Hello, and Welcome

Hello! And welcome! My name is Hagrid - I'm a German Shepard. Not one of those fake American Shepards, but a real live German Shepard.

I've decided to start this blog in order to better communicate with my humans, who think that my whining and talking is mostly pointless. Little do they know that I'm trying to have a conversation with them.

A little bit about me: I'm 8 1/2 years old, male (obviously - with a name like Hagrid? I mean come on...) tall, and generally well-mannered. I was trained to be a Guide Dog for the blind, but I was never matched up with anyone. Mostly due to my height, or so I'm told. So I took early retirement, and now spend my days trying to relax. Which is not as easy as it sounds, trust me. I'm a dog, I know these things.

So those are the basics. I'll try to stay current with my posts, but you know how it is. Between trying to type with my paws, shedding all over the keyboard, and needing to stop in order to groom myself, life can get pretty busy. Plus, I'm only supposed to do this when my humans are gone, so I've got to pick my time wisely. But I'll be around.

Yours in sticks and bones,
Hagrid