Happy Birthday, Scannon! Here is swimming at Point Isabel last winter. Scannon's life has changed dramatically since Bea came along. Not only has he become a city dog, he's no longer our baby and he knows it. He's putting up with this amazingly well. He's so patient with Bea and her interest in him, accepting her kisses and awkward ministrations with a comb like the gentle giant he is. Its not easy living in a small apartment with a toddler and a 144 lb sleepy ball of fur and I can't imagine its any easier being that ball of fur. He waits so patiently for his walks putting up with all the last minute delays (better grab a sippy cup, where are Bea's shoes?, where's my phone?) that must drive him nuts when he just wants to pee for heaven's sake. He's gallant about my daily vacuuming habit (hey, there's a lot of fur around here), never complaining when I prod him to move into another room and then another and another.
We've been worried about him at points this year. At times he's seemed a little defeated, a little hopeless. Now that the weather has turned cooler, there's a new spring in his step and he's showing some of his old playfulness. How much of his new demeanor can be attributed to changes in his pack, his new urban environment, the weather, his age? We can't be sure. I am sure that he's an integral part of our family and I hope that he stays with us for many, many years even if, as I sometimes think, he'd like to pack his cookie bones and hit the road in search of a family that shows him more consideration.
aw, happy birthday indeed. He sounds like a great guy. And 144 pounds? As they say around here, Uf-da! that's a big dog. I bet he and Bea have years of fun ahead :)
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