I'd like to take just a minute to wish someone very special to me a very happy birthday: Sammy the Ferocious Guard Poodle! He's 7 years old today! I've related before the story of how he came to live with me, but for you newcomers I'll give you the Reader's Digest condensed version: I'd looked around for a LONG time for a poodle without much luck...all the ones I'd seen were too old, too expensive, or sick. I finally found this one lady who had a litter just old enough to be adopted out so I went to take a look. Initially I'd picked out a little girl, but then I spotted this other pup who was a peach color with a little black spot on the back of his neck. The breeder tells me, "that spot is an imperfection so he's not worth as much money...." That was all I had to hear....I put down the little girl and picked up Sammy. I wasn't looking for a dog that was worth a lot of money...I was looking for a dog who was worth a lot to ME! You animal lovers out there know EXACTLY what I mean by that! I've never once regretted my decision because though it may sound kind of silly, that little dog has brought SO much happiness into my life! Here's some pictures of my little boy:

This is Sammy on the first night he came to live with me. He ate a whole plate of food and then tried to eat the plate too!! I guess he was glad that he finally didn't have to share his dinner with the brothers & sisters!

Here's one from this past Christmas---Sammy *LOVES* Christmas because he always gets a present from Santa Claus!

This is a few years old...he learned how to pose for pictures at a VERY young age!!

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Speaking of pictures---my little nephew Eli has become quite the ham! He's had a zillion pictures taken of him in the last 2 1/2 years, so now when you tell him to say CHEESE, the following is what you get:

I swear folks....this little guy is getting to be more like his Uncle Bryon every day!!

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AND ANOTHER:
Remember my entry about my friend Josh recently? Well, he's a dad now and I finally got over to his house to meet Timothy Darnell:

Since Josh is VERY.....VERY selective of who gets to hold Timothy, I was so honored when he put the baby into my arms!! I don't have a picture of Josh to post, so you'll have to take my word for it when I say Timothy looks JUST LIKE his dad! What an awesome little kid, huh?!

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So that's about it for now--yikes...two days in a row with short entries!! I'm losing my ability to ramble!!!