We made it through the year. Well, that does not sound especially uplifting. Actually, we did better than just make it though. We are all well, pretty happy and becoming a solid pack again, even after the loss of our beloved top dog, Spirit. I still have teary moments and I sometimes worry about Quest... The younger guys are doing alright and learning what it means to have each other's back. That is our code.
Our New Year's Eve party was, of course, not the same without our birthday boy. The party was initially started in Spirit's honor as he was born on New Year's Eve. I have never really enjoyed going out on New Years, so I started what became a tradition. We have a New Year's eve party for dogs. It resembles a human party, except I make "doggy appetizers" and wrap doggy presents for everyone. We play "doggy games" and just have a relaxing doggy party - no worries and I don't even have to clean the house, except the part that shows in pictures. :o)
"If you don't want to play with it Quesy I would like to have it."
This year when I distributed the gifts, Quest just lay by the tree with his. He did not open it. Pirate offered to help.
"No Pirate, I don't want to trade. I will unwrap it myself."
Journey was not certain what he was supposed to do with the wrapping. Pirate, "the toy monster", was not going to stand on ceremony. He was quick to tear open the wrapping. I helped Journey a little, but Quest chose to wait. I was not sure how to handle that, but since he stayed in the group with us, and he did not let Pirate take his gift, I thought I would just let him think about it for a little while. I was so glad Santa had been able to find Quest's favorite spiky football. He plays with lots of the toys, but the football is his favorite. After opening the gifts, I brought out the appetizers. I served a rather unique combination of tuna surprise, freeze dried chicken cubes, sweet potato jerky, tortillas with peanut butter and cottage cheese, a Greenie for each dog and pistachio nuts, which we shared. There are many wonderful things about dog parties, one of them is that I never get any complaints about the menu. Next we played games. I loaded three games with diced Natural Balance rolls, cut into small cubes. Everyone got his favorite puzzle to solve. Pirate is the game champion and rushed through his before attempting to assist Journey. Eventually I eased out and went to the couch to watch TV. Quest still concerned me a little. He took his spiky football and went to lay by the front door, in the entry hall. He watched me and I kept speaking to him occasionally. He napped and then I noticed that he had come over to the couch and was curled up beside me. It will take time, for both of us. They all played rambunctiously, chasing each other down the halls, through the bedrooms, around the dinning table and through the kitchen and laundry room. They swapped toys and even went outside to play for a while. I think the party was a success. I thought about our progress in reforming our pack. We are doing OK.
"Oh good, it is my favorite color".
"Journey I don't share my football". "OK, ok, but please stop that hurts my nose."
" I would really take good care of it Quest .... and I love you a lot".
We watched TV and enjoyed each other's company and we stayed up until midnight. Journey was not too sure about the fireworks, but they were far enough away that it was not too scary.
"I really love our family. This is a great place to live. Mom says this is New Year's Day"
Happy New Year everyone!
