Happy Birthday Spike!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Spike in honor of his tenth birthday.

For as far back as I can remember, I've been a dog lover. I was born into a family with a loving, loyal, protective collie named Susie. Jeff is also a dog lover. We talked about and thought about getting a pet for a long time. Dogs v. cats--would we rather deal with a litter box or walk a dog daily and pick up poop? Was it fair to have a dog in a condo without a yard?

A Maltese named Clyde helped us make up our minds when we watched him over the holidays at the end of 2001. We loved having him around, he seemed to have plenty of room and we didn't mind the daily walks even in cold weather.

A few months later, I went to the local grocery store to pick up a newspaper and there was Spike's picture on a flier in the window. He needed a home. Sarah, who had taken Spike in when a friend was transferred to Atlanta, was also transferred. Sarah already had a dog of her own and could only take one with her.

The adjustment was tough on Spike. He was used to having a pal around and would howl when we left him alone. But living with us had some benefits: Spike was a vegetarian with Sarah. We changed that.

Spike was just over a year old when he came to live with us. He is ours and we are his. He has made us very happy. Because of him we have discovered wonderful parks and preserves and beautiful buildings just off the main roads near our condo. We are more engaged in our own neighborhood.

 We have made wonderful friends at Taylor Farm dog park.

I can't imagine our life without Spike. He is a joy.

Happy birthday Spike!