Monday, December 24, 2007

Happy Birthday Velcro!


Velcro turns 11 today. So I thought I would devote today to him. He was our first child. He has his own scrapbook to prove it. Ducky made it for me. He was spoiled rotten from the day we got him.


We got Velcro when he was 7 months old. We had been living in apartments and family housing that didn't allow us to have pets. So as soon as we could we moved to a house that allowed pets. And we started hunting. I had fallen for Corgi's almost a decade earlier. And we were trying to find one. We tried Corgi rescue. They had one, but he needed surgeries and we had just graduated from college. We tried the pounds, but all they had were big dogs. I scoured the newspaper. And one morning we spotted the ad. I called as early as I dared and we had an appointment to see him after work. But I had a gut feeling that if we didn't get out there and see if he fit, someone else would get him. So we headed right over. I would be late for work, but it would be worth it. We fell in love on the spot. We paid for him and they agreed to keep him until we could take him home after work. And the big bonus, he was already house broken.


He was and is spoiled. He went everywhere with us. He got taken on long walks. He has his own stocking. We bought him his own kiddie pool. After a long walk on a warm day, he would hop in. And then roll to the left, and roll to the right. And lay there and drink his pool water as happy as any dog could be.


He was allowed on the furniture and the bed. He slept with us every night. We bought a lower bed so it would be easier for him to jump up. Then we had sweetP and he hurt his hip and stopped sleeping on the bed with us. And we discouraged him from jumping on the furniture, because it only seemed to make it worse.


I taught him tricks. He says hello. He shakes. He rolls over. He will wait (even with the treat right in front of his nose). He takes treats gently. He is a wonderful dog. He grew a little leery of sweetP, he pulled his fur too much.


And sweetE came along. We still adore Velcro. And sweetE adores him too. He would go over and just love him. And Velcro realized that the boys loved him too.


And even though he has been demoted twice. He is still one of the boys and adored by the entire family. We have promised him that he will be the only furry child. Velcro for his part tolerates all kinds of abuse without grumble. He is learning that as the boys get older, they become more fun.


He is a good sport. Although I did have to convince sweetE just this morning that Velcro did not want a Santa hat costume. So we hope that Velcro continues to be happy and healthy for many years to come.


So, Happy Birthday Velcro. The most wonderful dog a family could have.

And to everyone else, a Merry Christmas!

3 comments:

RachelC said...

Happy Birthday Velcro!

the rotten correspondent said...

Happy Birthday, Velcro! You are one seriously well-loved guy.

The pictures are so sweet, and the ones with the boys brought tears to my eyes.

Here's to many more years of happiness.

the rotten correspondent said...

Oh, I forgot to say Merry Christmas to all of you. A day late, but still...