Puppy!

Puppy! You've waited a whole year (+ 1 leap day) and now it's finally here! It's your birthday!

I cannot believe that six years ago I held this tiny little girl in my arms and now she's my right hand. You are such a big helper and you are busy shaping your thoughts, words and dreams.

You spend HOURS telling me about what happened yesterday, whether it was actually yesterday, last week or two years ago it's all the same and clearly fresh on your mind. You want to know all you can and are always looking for the lessons in things. You are the first to volunteer for chores and if you could whistle I'm sure you'd offer many tunes while cheerfully working along.

You are often stuck between a rock and a hard place; otherwise named Tiger and Monkey. You have your battle scars and take a lot of grief from both ends but it never keeps you down or away. You LOVE them both so much. Just the other day you told dad, "I love Tiger, sometimes he hits me or pulls my hair but it only hurts for a little. He's still my brother and well, I just love him!" Monkey might be younger and has no diagnosis to explain her femininity but that doesn't stop her from wreaking havoc on your room or telling you she's the boss. You take it in stride. It's not always easy but you always manage to come out on top and end the day as friends over a teapot filled with water; which isn't supposed to be in your room to begin with...

You are learning who you are and what life is all about. When not barking at Tiger to be safe, literally, you started barking to get his attention, you sing, dance, exercise and draw. You like sharing the interests of your siblings and often claim them as your own (because you're always thinking of others and are just all around agreeable) but the one thing that you have all to yourself is your love of puppies!

In talking about your birthday we had suggested several themes but the one thing you kept coming back to was puppy this and puppy that. For three years now it's been puppies, puppies, puppies. You got your first one (which regrettably got lost on our last vacation) for your third birthday. It was a used stuffed animal purchased from a thrift store after our finances got really tight but you didn't care. You never have. We have added to your collection, per your request and insistence and you now have 14 puppies in your care! You are as good to them as you are to every living thing.

You are my sweet girl with a sweet spirit. You remind me of myself, but I guess the talking for hours part probably gave that away. You want to be noticed, recognized and assured that you are important- and though you often come last or are stuck at the end of line, I am so very grateful that you are there. You are my strong girl that is more mature than her years. You are my anchor in connecting with and handling the stresses of our family and though you may doubt it, you are so very special and have a very special purpose in our family. Rhino, Tiger and Monkey would not be where they are without you!

It's not always fair having to be the strong one or always depended upon, believe me I know, but you are a hunter. You have what it takes to go out and get what you want. Never let anyone make you feel like less! What's important is how you feel about yourself and that you know you were made to do great things.

True to your Zoo name, you are playful, sweet and capable of being anyone's best friend!

I love you Puppy and Happy Birthday!