Okay, this picture is really from Big Sister's first birthday, but it looks like it could be from Al's. Our sweet guy is 7 years old! Since we adopted him from a shelter in Birmingham, we don't actually know when he was born, but they estimated it was around this time. April 18 is also when John & I got engaged, so we like to think our puppy might have been born then too. He is our firstborn!
When we first got Al (Al Pacino. That's what the shelter had named him. You can't make this up.), we were going into the store to buy some fish. Talk about your impulse buy! But he melted in my arms when asked to hold him, and he was named after The Godfather. We figured it was pretty much an ordained meeting. Seven years later, I'd call it the best un-thought-out decision we've ever made. Al is a gentle giant. He faithfully guards the house and herds our children (and our other dog). He sleeps with me at night when Hubby is out of town or just staying up late. If you house-sit for us, he'll sleep with you too! He loves to have his paws scratched, still has never learned to contain himself when company comes over, LOVES rawhide, seems to enjoy standing and squinting in the rain, and hates to share (people, toys, treats, whatever). He probably is not ever walked enough, but he still gets hopeful whenever anyone in our house puts on their tennis shoes. He sometimes steals food that Hannah has abandoned, but always looks like he feels really guilty afterwards. He is always happy to see us, no matter how long we've been gone.
The picture above isn't totally accurate. Al is getting gray. Seeing him next to a young puppy like Sophie has revealed to us how much our sweet dog has aged (although Sophie has livened him up a bit, too.) There is a little less skip in his step, and his hips are getting stiff. Big dogs don't live forever, but we sure wish this one could. He has been the best dog anyone could ask for. Happy Birthday Buddy! Here's to seven more...
No comments:
Post a Comment