Happy birthday, Lancypants!

Lance,

Happy birthday! It’s now two years since we were last together for your birthday. It’s also the 9th anniversary of your adoption. I was so happy to bring you home with us that day. From the first time I saw your photo online, I knew you’d be coming home with me. And then we had seven years together.

From the first night at home when you did not climb the steps and we had to sleep on the air mattress and you dropped a flip flop onto my head to our final walk to the vet to say good-bye, our life together was an adventure. I think of all the nights you slept next to me, curled up by my legs. Except summer, it would be too warm for you and you’d often sleep on the floor.

I liked watching you walk with Ed. The two of you had a beautiful connection, the way you would keep checking in with him, hoping he would give you more treats, which he would usually do.

I liked the way you would play tug with Ed when he would come home each night and then you would run to sit in front of me, telling him not to bother your woman. But most of the time, wherever I was, you were close. You used to like to catch things, but playing fetch wasn’t really your thing. I remember the time we had snow and I threw small snowballs for you to catch and then one accidentally hit you and you gave me a look of utter disgust, like I had the audacity to throw something at you.

But today is your big day! I hope you are having lots of manna-fil-a and are rolling around on your back on some clouds. If I hear thunder today, I’ll know it’s from you.

I’ll whisper what I always told you, because it’s still true:
You are my love.
My joy.
My sunshine.
My happiness.
My all in all.

I love you,

Woman