Mr. Perfect turns 13

If you know me, like, at all, you know how important Kobe is to me. Kobe is my recently turned 13 year old Golden Retriever/Newfoundland mix. Kobe came into my life when I was fresh out of college back in 2000. I was working at a prep school in central New Hampshire. I was in a meeting and one of the facilities guys on campus came into the room to fix something. We stopped the meeting, said hello and he told us that his dog had just given birth to a litter of puppies. What kind? I casually asked...

The next week I found myself driving to his house to pick out my future mister. In no shape or form was I in any position to have a puppy. None. I barely had two cents to rub together, I was living with my mother and grandmother with no apartment prospects on the horizon...I was pretty much a hot mess. I went back weekly to watch him grow up until that day that he could come home with me. I will never forget that day several weeks after our first meeting.

I had mentioned to my mom that these puppies were born and she reminded me that acquiring a puppy would not be the wisest thing to do. In not so subtle terms, I'm pretty sure she said no. A lot. Every time I talked about the puppies. But it was done. This guy had gotten into my heart and he wasn't leaving. So, off I went to pick him up. He and I made the hour ride to the house, him on my lap, me realizing that I had probably made a really dumb decision. One that I was at peace with.

I scooped him up and into the house we went. Well, like me, thankfully both my mother and grandmother are suckers for a cute face. The anger and disappointment in my irresponsible decision quickly subsided and we found ourselves on the front lawn discussing potential names for this not so little bundle of fur. And so began our journey, one that that I am so thankful is still ongoing.

That dog has been a loyal friend in a world where few exist. On Sunday, April 28th he turned 13. He's been and continues to be so much to me...My walking companion, my shadow, my protector, my constant. He's always there, whenever I need him. Now that he has reached "senior" status, he relies on me to help keep him comfortable. And he is. He is a happy senior, living a good life. Yes, he's slowed down some...But let's face it, Kobe was never really fast anyway.

I decided that entering your teen years as a big dog is a pretty big milestone, so we had a little birthday party for him this past weekend. I baked a doggie cake. Yes, yes, I did. A couple of his closest friends came over and they ate cake, treats, and played. I think he had a good time...