Sunday 11 August 2013

Share It Sunday, Dakotas' Den!

Nominated by last weeks' guest Brians' Home Blog.

A Birthday Letter to My “Boy”

Dear Dakota,

Today is your birthday. YOU ARE NOW SIX YEARS OLD! 



It is hard for me to wrap my head around that  number.

This is the first of your birthdays that I am sad.  I am trying with all of my might to be in a celebratory mood, and I will accomplish that, I just can’t at this moment.

Where has the time gone?




It seems as if it was only yesterday that after an INTENSE and most DEDICATED search by your Dad to fulfill a childhood wish of  mine of presenting me with a Sheltie for my birthday, that SIX YEARS HAVE PASSED.



When you joined our family you were only 8 months old. A mere pup. I remember when we had picked you up and were bringing you “home”, sitting with you in the back seat of the car, you were in your crate, I was next to you petting you and talking to you because we were told that you and cars did NOT get along. I did my best to  soothe and reassure you.
You instantly became friends with your kitty brother, a huge blessing for your Dad and I.


My biggest frustration in those early days was that I thought you would NEVER be housebroken!! I remember a relentless parade of going up and down 12 stairs with you, you were housebroken in your previous home,  you just had to learn the lay of the land with us.
It is hard for me to believe that the first two weeks that you lived with us you were QUIET! I honestly thought you did NOT know how to bark! To think, that ever worried me with the multitude of times every day that you show us that YES INDEED YOU CAN BARK,  and  quite well I might add!
I often feel guilty that you live on the second floor of a condo. I often feel that we are doing you a disservice. I see other dogs with fenced yards that are able to romp freely during the day, you? I think you are part cat, or maybe it is because you live with a cat, you don’t enjoy walks and prefer to stay inside.  I never was one to force you to do what you don’t wish to do, so maybe our situation isn’t that bad after all.


You never cease to amaze me. You hated obedience classes but are an apt pupil for learning EVERYTHING that we DON’T want you to learn! You seem to have a grasp of language far better than many humans that I know. You know just what you want and let us know, you know just what your Dad and I need, and give it to us unselfishly.


Your Dad and I survived indoor “accidents”, chewed cell phones, CD’s, paper, and enough wood to light a fire, it is a miracle you are still with us!


But, with the blessings of God, you ARE still with us! Your sixth birthday has made me face the brutal fact that you are no longer a pup, even though you still act like one, you are approaching your gasp, Senior years. I am having trouble accepting this.
Dearest Dakota, you have brought so much laughter, joy, love, craziness, and devotion to your Dad’s and my world that I cannot even fathom what life would be like without you.


So, rather than be melancholy and reflective, I am going to switch to celebratory mode.
I celebrate your birth, I celebrate our good fortune when your human sister told us about you, I celebrate your smile, your warm and lavish fur, I celebrate your loving licks, your gentle eyes, they way you hold my hand with your paw when you lick me, the way you pick up your red, white and blue ball when your Dad and I return home, even if we were gone for only 5 seconds.



YES, I even celebrate your BARKING (remind me please that I said this)
My precious Sheltie boy, I vow to make your remaining years with us, and I hope there are MANY, ones full of continued learning, NEW adventures, MORE walks, tons of snuggles, oodles of  kisses, tasty food and  never-ending love.
YOU, Dakota, were the answer to my childhood dream of one day having a Sheltie of my own.
Happy, Happy Birthday my silly and sensitive boy,



I love you more than all of your cherished bones being piled to the “moon and back”
Mom

Dakotas' Den.


Continuing to give something back on my ‘Share It Sunday’. We all share and we grow together.  Pop over say hello and make a new friend.

From the author Molly The Wally

38 comments:

  1. That was beautiful! We're gonna hop over and say hello.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  2. Good morning Miz Molly and DAKOTA! What a fuzzy little boy, giving back love to two peeps who love you so. ENJOY THE DAY EVERYONE! Anita

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  3. That was just an incredible post Molly and that Dakota is a very special one!

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  4. Dakota looks like a quite the character. Hopping over to say, "hi."

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  5. So nice to see Dakota here too! Have a great Sunday!

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  6. Time flies when you are having fun Dakota,xx Speedy

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  7. sweet, sweet family! that chewing thing... :)

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  8. I had some problems to post my comment!!!:( So sweet molly... Have a very good sunday:)

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  9. OMG!!! I'm hopping over now. Thanks Molly!

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  10. Time sure does fly Dakota, have a wonderful Sunday xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  11. Happy Birthday Dakota :) You are one gorgeous almost senior woofie. In fact we are almost the same age!! xx

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  12. A beautiful tribute to Dakota! My pack and me wish you's a very HAP-PEE #SIX.

    Hap-Pee Sun-Day!

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  13. Molly thanks so much for featuring me and THANK YOU TO MY PAL Brian for suggesting that I be here. Brian is one special kitty and Molly, you are one special doggy! You always visit Cody and I and we are deeply appreciative.
    Actually someone thought it was my birthday, but my birthday is really in February. This was an old post but is one of Mom's faves and gives people some background about me.
    Thanks so much again for featuring me!
    Barks and licks and love,
    Dakota
    www.dakotasden.net

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  14. We see that somebuddy in Dakota's family is a Detroit Tigers Fan...
    Hurrrrumph... those TIGERS just Beat OUR Cleveland Indians... really they did.

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  15. Dakota is a most handsome Sheltie who is well loved.
    Hugs madi and Mom

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  16. I love Dakota, Cody and their pawrents! That was such a wonderful way to say: I love you, I remember about the barkday-post and yes, about the phone too ! Thanks for sharing, dear Molly and have a wonderful sunday.

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  17. BOL! Look at that phone!! Dakota is one of our newer friends, we love his blog with his crew! Have a great Sunday Molly!

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  18. What a lovely Barkday tribute! Those pigtures are all soo cute!

    Nutty, Nacho, Buddy & Basil
    xxxx

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  19. Dakota is my furrend Cody's brother and me likes him lots too! He reminds me of my hairy slobbery sisters and he is my sister Cinnamon's idol!
    Kisses
    Nellie

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  20. That was a wonderful letter!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  21. Happy birthday Dakota and many many more! Me-Ommmmmm

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  22. What a beautiful post!!! Happy Birthday to Dakota!!! Mom once had a sheltie, Shane, and he had no problem at all with his barking genes:) One of the reasons Mom loves us sibes since we only woo and don't usually bark.

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

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  23. Yay for Dakota! I remember his bday post - very sweet!

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  24. Such a lovely post! How nice for it to be shared here. And even though I follow Dakota now, I don't think I was back when this was originally posted, so it was great to see it.
    Jan, Wag 'N Woof Pets

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  25. Happy Birthday Dakota! Bark it up!!! You're not a senior. My Sheltie lived to 13 and I've heard they can live longer. I don't think there is anything wrong with you living in a condo, either. My dogs have a big back yard, but they'd much rather be where I am, inside and at my feet. The yard is for pooping, they say, and perhaps good for an occasional rabbit chase or an unauthorized visit into the garden.

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  26. Oh Dakota did we miss your birthday!!!!!! we are soooo sorry sweet one...Happy happy birthday sweet Dakota and what a lovely bloggie post ..we must away and make a belated cardy for you Hugs and loves Fozziemum xxxxxx

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  27. Happy Birthday, Dakota! What a beautiful post!

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  28. It's lovely to see Dakota here and to read about how much he is loved.

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  29. Happy birthday!

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  30. We loved that wonderful post for Dakota's birthday! I laughed at the cell phone. (I know it probably wouldn't be funny if it was my phone.)

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  31. What a great tribute post to Dakota on his 6th bday. Thanks Molly for sharing it sunday post on Dakota.

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  32. Happy Birthday, Dakota! I love the post and happy to hear more about you. What a sweetie you are.

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  33. I find Cody's,and Dakota's blogs to be one of my fave blogs in blogsville! Caren loves her pets so much, and she is such a sweet person!

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  34. Oh so cool you featured Dakota, just love him :-)

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  35. Aw, what a great Share It Sunday :) Dakota sure got just the perfect family!

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