Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Puffy's Barkday! Happy 17 old man!

HAPPY BARKDAY PUFFY!!

She's going to tell this story as I wasn't even a twinkle in my great great grandmothers eye yet.

It's hard to belive Puffy has made it to 17 years old.  I attribute it to bottled water and lots of exercise and love.     I thought I'd tell you the story of how Puffy came to live with us.

The youngest, referred here normally as the Idiot Marine, was in the 2nd grade at the time.  We had no idea he wanted a dog.   For his birthday or anytime.   His sister had a wonderful German Shepard at the time and he loved that dog, but he never said he wanted a dog.  One day we got a note from his teacher asking us to call her at home.  We imagined the worst of course...he's having trouble at school.   She wanted to relay what had happened in Chapel at school that morning.  The students could submit prayer requests to be shared during Chapel.  They normally have 2 or 3, like someones Grandmother was in the hospital or Dad was on a long trip, the kinds of things small children worry about.   He had taken the time to write out a request asking God to please let him have a dog for his birthday.   She thought we ought to know as this was so out of line with his character of not attracting attention to himself and that we needed to be prepared in case a dog wasn't in his future.  

We were petless at the time, and had not planned to add any animals to our home, of any kind, especially a dog.   Maybe a hamster if pushed.   The Mr. and I talked about it and decided if we got a dog, it had to be small so we could keep it in the house and one that played well with children as we had 2 boys left at home. We wouldn't purchse a pet from a pet store and would maybe ask around to see if anyone had any puppies they raised in their homes.  Puppies that have been hand raised are usually more stable.   And if nothing fell out of the sky,  we'd just not deal with a dog at his time.   We weren't actively looking either.  

Well, one of the Mr.'s friends knew someone that had 2 cocker-poo puppies for sale.  Hand raised in the home, not from a puppy mill.  We thought about and said that would work out as I had a cocker poo as a child and she was a wonderful playmate.  He went over to check out the 2 cocker-poos and they had another dog there,  a 3.5 months old Malti-Poo  that belonged to their adult daughter who was over visiting. This pup just fell all over the Mr. and the other 2 had  nothing to do with him.   He talked the lady into selling him this Malti-Poo puppy.   The daughter was ok with it,  said she'd rather have one of the cocker-poos as they were not as playful as the Malti-Poo who was wearing her out.  

He brought him over to me at work so I could see him. He was double fisted handful of cream colored fluf. You couldn't tell which end was which unless you could see his pink tongue.  We took him home and put him in the garage.  Then we picked up the kid from school and told him his birthday present was in the garage. When he first say the dog,  he goes:  'What's THAT? A CAT?  You got me a CAT?'

It took a while to convince him it was a dog.   I don't think he knew anyone that had a small dog, much less a fluffy one that was the size of a kitten.   Sometime later,  he told us about asking God for a dog for his birthday but thought God made a mistake, as he wanted a German Shepard!  He asked me if this dog would grown up to be a German Shepard.   My response was that sometimes God gives you what you need and can handle at the time, not what you think you want.  

He named the dog Wolverine.   He would fuss if anyone called him anything else, and we are big on nicknames around here.   I called him Poopsie for a while as that is what puppies tend to do.  Poopsie oopsie!  That morphed into Pooper,  then Puffer, then Puff and Puffy.   By the time he becames Puffers, he was a grown teenager and really didn't care what we called him.

Puffy was perfect for two rowdy boys.  He ran and played constantly,  fetch the ball,  pull the rope, jump over people, run along side outside and never ran away from the boys.   Eventually as the boys got older, they turned to other toys,  girls and cars.   He then became my dog.   He'd run the Mr. out of the bed if he could get away with it.   The 4th  child married and the 5th, the idiot Marine, went off to fight in Iraq. 

After the boys left home,  Puffy would go into their room and sniff about looking for them.  I put an unwashed t-shirt on the foot of the bed after the Idiot Marine left home and he'd get up there and sleep on it during the day when we were gone.   He still has a 6th sense and can tell when someone is close to home.  Like 5 miles away close.  

We know he won't be with us too much longer.   He's very frail, but still has spunk enough to start fights with Bonnie and doesn't back down when he does.  That alone will probably cause his demise.  But for today, he's still here.  Still eats like a chow hound, does his regular rounds and likes to get out for walkies even though he's arthritic.   Some people ask us why we don't have him put down as he does have some health issues.   Why would I do that as he seems to be enjoying his life?   He doesn't appear to be ill or in pain, except for the aged hitch in his giddy-up.   Yes, he's smelly.  Yes, he has some funky spells,  Yes, he's ornery as all get out but I suspect if I should live so long,  I would be the same. 

So for today Puffy,  enjoy your PUPCAKE, lick the icing,  eat what you want to all day and be merry! Heck, we may even give you a bowl of your favorite beer tonight.


Happy 17 years with us and we hope you have many more!

Love,  Bonnie and Puffers support staff

24 comments:

Martha said...

Happy Barkday Puffy. We loved reading your story.
We imagined you waiting in the garage for the birthday surprise and then having to deal with the fact they thought you were a kitten!
Well no wonder you have a lot of spunk - it's a bit like a boy named Sue! You had to prove yourself as a dog suitable for two boys!
We are glad you are happy and loved by your family.
You have the best birthday ever - that looked like a very impressive cake!
We have never tasted beer but we reckon you earned it.
love and kisses
Martha & Bailey xxx

Kari in Alaska said...

17! wow congrats! You deserve the world

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

What a great story!!! Puffy, you truly are a wonderful addition to your family and we are so very happy that you all found each other!

Smileys!
The Mama (and Dory)

PeeEss...Dory says to tell Bonnie she hasn't forgotten her! Sometimes you just have to share your bloggie with your Mama

Scooter said...

Puffy
That is a great story, Congrats on turning 17. Mom had a poodle before me and he was 18 before he moved on. It was like the same, why do you keep him when he is so old? He had some heart problems and coughed alot but still was able to get around, eat and sleep 22-7 lol But eventually he got cataracts, went blind, lost his hearing and lost his sniffer, so he couldnt find his food bowl, fell down the stairs and ran into stuff, they then knew it was time. But he was just an enjoyment to the family for 18 yrs. I just hope to live that long.

So I say keep on keepin..on, enjoy life and be happy!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Jazzi

the magic sleigh said...

Woooos Puffy! Have a wonderful Barkday and hope woo have many more happy healthy times!
-Kira, The No Snow Dog

houndstooth said...

Happy Birthday, Puffy!

Lilac will be fifteen in September, and Mom says that sometimes she'd like to wrap her in a suit made of bubble wrap. We certainly understand about those picadillos of old age! It sounds like Puffy was meant to be with you for sure!

Bunny

Yas said...

Happy Barkday Puffy!!
The cake looks yummy too! I;ve had beer before and it's nasty...!

Cheers,
Maxx

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Happy Barkday Puffy,
I'm 14, so I'm just 3 years younger. I think your at a great age, and you should enjoy your life. If little Bonnie bugs you to much, stand up for your self. I'll stand up with you if you need help.
Mack

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

That is a furry pawesome achievement!

Here's to more khake next year!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Hamish Westie said...

Happy birthday Puffy. I feel quite young by comparison! Aren't you lucky to live in a family that doesn't just value you based on how good you smell or what tricks you can do or how many teeth you have.
More power to your arthritic elbow!
Cheers, H.

Radley said...

What a fabulous woofie age !
Happy 17th Birthday Puffy xxx

Molly the Airedale said...

Happy birthday, Puffy! Mom has leaky eyes reading your story.
Seniors rock!
Enjoy that cupcake and your very special day!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Happy Happy Birthday Puffers!!

And we thought Java was an old man- he's just a pup compared to you.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Java

Eric said...

Whata wonderful story of your life Puffy. I wish you a wicked wigwagging Happy Barkday Puffy! May you be spoilt rotten, eat and drink as much as you can cram in and the fairy of good fortune stay with you forever.

Wiry love Eric xx

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

A very Happy Barkday.. I just loved reading that story.. Why should you put down a loving pet because he is old.. Rock on sweet one and I hope you get more birthdays.. Hugs GJ x

TwoSpecialWires said...

This was a very special post for us. Thank you for sharing it. You see. Two years ago today our Molly died in Moma's arms. She was almost 16. Reading about Puffy, and his wonderful life in your family brought back lots of happy memories for Moma. She is so happy you've been able to share all these wonderful years full of family moments together. The message you wrote is a very special one and will be even more special someday years from now when you remember. Create lots more happy memories. And start with another piece of cake! For Molly!

Love and thanks.
Jake and Fergi and Moma

Agatha and Archie said...

Happy Birthday Darling!!! WE just finished reading your past posts ans feel we may nneed to stop for a wee nip of something we became so nervous....treats stuck in airways,banging upside down trips to the Vetties and also a trip to the Spa????? Way too much for us..Love A+A

BRUTUS said...

Happy happy Barkday!! Puffers, so sound so much like my old terrier brother Duncan - he just missed his 17th birfday by a month, and was stubborn as can be 'till the last day! Hope you enjoy all the special attention and foodables, glad to know your story!!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

BRUTUS said...

Happy happy Barkday!! Puffers, so sound so much like my old terrier brother Duncan - he just missed his 17th birfday by a month, and was stubborn as can be 'till the last day! Hope you enjoy all the special attention and foodables, glad to know your story!!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

Buster the Wired Fox Terror said...

Happy burpday! You're even older than me!

Bussie Kissies
Buster

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Happy Birthday Puffy,

Seventeen years old. Well, you must be in fabulous shape that's all we can say! We think it's the beer!

So keep up the good works and cheers to you!

Luv,
Riley and Star.

Miss Jean said...

Why, a big Happy Birthday, Mr. Puffy. You are one good looking little man, there! I showed your picture to Maggie and she swooned!

TwoSpecialWires said...

Puffers. We are sooooooo sorry we missed your actual 17th birthday. What an amazing milestone. Maybe a birthday wish today will make the celebration seem as if it lasted a bit longer. After all, at this point, you should celebrate EVERY day. You certainly deserve it!

Love
Jake and Fergi xxoo

(Pee esS. That cake looked yummiliscious!)

ocmist said...

Happy Barkday, Puffy! Hope your days are full of love this coming year! I had two old friends, when I was younger, that were 17 years old, and one was named Buffy! Your name and age reminded me of him. OC, Matriarch of the Country Corgi Crew