a puppy party

Today is Ace’s second birthday.

I’m just going to put this out there now – judge all you want – I had a mini birthday party for my dog.

Seriously, judge me. I know I sound a like a crazy.

However, at least I KNOW I’m a crazy, right? By admitting and knowing I’m a little nuts, I think it makes it more sane throwing a celebration for your dog? Right? Right?

Ah.. Okay. I will say it. I am a crazy dog lady.

Today, I strapped a party hat on Ace, took some pictures, & made dog cupcakes, [pupcakes is actually the correct term 🙂 ]. Tony and & bought gifts, wrapped them in bags with tissue paper – to make the hunt of opening the gift fun for Ace, obviously – and were just shy of singing happy birthday out loud. I would LOVE to know what Ace was thinking. He got anything his little heart desired, [including some of the shredded chicken I made for dinner], & I can’t help but wonder if he as any inkling as to why.

I posted a birthday shout out on instagram today for my little guy saying, ‘…he has done more for us then he’ll ever realize,’ & could cry when I think about the truth behind that statement. Have any of you seen the photography album of the black lab’s last day, eating cheeseburgers, running through a water park, picnic in the park with his family, & then that gut-wrenching, tear-jerking ending when they put it down? You can find it here, but I will warn you – have a box of tissues, or ten. Even finding the link, I ended up watching it again, & of course I’m sitting here crying.

Anyways, back to my point.

Ace has really done more for Tony and I then he will ever realize. The past two years he’s been our baby. He’s given us another outlet for our love. He has taught us lessons about ourselves, our marriage, and how to love unconditionally. I know that’s a cliche, and is said about dogs often, but seriously, how the heck are we deserving of THEM? Ace’s biggest worry in life occurs when we leave for work in the morning. He impatiently waits for us to return & suffers from mini panic attacks thinking we won’t, practically becoming undone until we walk safely through the front door.  We yell at him when he barks at the neighbors out walking, but in his mind, he’s trying to keep us safe & is alerting us of a possible intruder. We swear under our breath when we trip over him in the kitchen getting dinner made because he’s always in the way, when in realty, he literally just wants to right next to us.

And come on, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone happier to see me when I come home.

Seriously.

Nobody compares to Ace’s wiggle-butt of excitement.

I haven’t shared the details from my last Mayo visit yet; I plan on it, just trying to find the right words. There’s a possibility, [and when I say possibility, I mean most likely… & by most likely I mean IT WILL HAPPEN], that children will be delayed another two years, in addition to the year I still have left on chemotherapy. There’s currently a five year study being done on my chemo & the results seems to point to more positive outcomes then being on chemo for three years – my original plan. Long story short, we have a lot of big decisions in our future & looks like an even longer period without children. Ace has licked my tears & snuggled my stresses away the past couple weeks.

He has been my little light; my little ball of kisses; my little secret keeper; & my little best friend.

I am so thankful Tony and I have him as part of our family.

Here’s to our first farmer’s market walk/visit tomorrow morning!

xox