The reason my mom is letting me be the guest blogger is because IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! That's right, I am three years old now. When I was just a little Asha, my mom would lay on the floor with me at night and try to soothe me. She sang a song to me and it went like this "you're getting so big, you're turning into a dog". I couldn't hear it, but I could feel it and just the vibration of her voice helped to calm me down. She's been singing that to me again lately, only now she says "you're so big and you're turning into a good dog".
You see, I haven't always been a "good" dog. Most people know by now - born blind and deaf, with epilepsy too! Everyone knows how much of a challenge I have been. You all know the sad story of how my life started and how mom and dad weren't sure they would survive me. You know all the people who have been involved in helping me find my way in the world. Maggie says no one wants to hear about it anymore, but I don't listen to her.
I am the luckiest dog alive to have so many who care about me and want to make me better. I try hard to do the right things. Sometimes I still can't control myself and I just go crazy! Those times are few and far between these days.
I think the best thing that has happened lately is that I get to sleep upstairs with my mom and dad. For as long as I can remember, I slept on the couch with one of them. Finally a couple months ago, I decided I needed more room and a king sized bed seemed like just the place. Romeo told me that he liked sleeping there, so I figured I would give it a shot too. That little guy knows his stuff.
So every night, we go upstairs. My mom puts my leash around her wrist to keep me from running and barking in the middle of the night. Then, I jump up into bed. I usually sleep there part of the night and then I get on the floor. Around 1 am I want back up on the bed, but that takes SO much effort. So I cry for a little while until my mom touches me (that's how I know she's awake and paying attention). Then I put my chin on the bed, waiting for mom to help me up (I'm tired, you know). Eventually I realize that she really isn't going to help me get into bed, so I jump up myself and lay right on top of her. Then around 5 am I want to get up and so I make noise and pull on my leash until mom realizes that it isn't going to stop until she gets up. We have a routine :)
I get along with everyone just fine - except Poppy. He's this old guy that came to live with us in April. Mom said it would only be for a week or so until he died. He's still alive. He moves really slow and is very little. He always gets in my way and sometimes he runs into me when I am asleep. That makes me mad and so I bark at him. One time I barked so hard that I actually blew him off his feet. My mom says "poor old guy". But not me, he's a pain in the ass and needs to stay out of my way.
Mom says I am head strong. I am not sure what that means but I know she loves me more than anything so it has to be a compliment, right? I am just like her - I like what I like, when I want it and the way I want it. And I usually get it too :)
I got a really great birthday present this year. It snowed! I've seen a little dusting of snow before, but nothing like this! I use my sense of smell and touch to navigate the world and the snow messes those two up big time! I can't smell my usual paths outside and I can't feel where things usually are. I have been missing the end of the deck. When I get out into the yard I call for my mom. Then when she shows up, I bite at her boots and play with her. She likes it. Most of the time I will just lay down on the ground and feel the coolness on my body. I've been eating a lot of snow too, it tastes yummy.
Mom says she isn't going to be able to get out of the house to get me any treats or presents for my birthday so I'll have to wait. I'm not disappointed though, every day is a present for me. I live in a great home with a family who loves me for who I am, flaws and all. I have a great team who make sure I am on the right medication, that I get the right treatment and that my mom and dad have the support they need to deal with my special needs. I have an amazing friend who comes and stays with me (and all the rest of us) when my mom and dad are gone. She's one of my very best friends and I am so so lucky to have her. Mom says we couldn't do it without Team Asha and I agree....we couldn't.
Dogs don't think about the future the way humans do. We live in the moment. People say that I am always smiling. No matter how hectic or mayhem-ish our life is, I have this smile. My mom says she doesn't know what the hell I am so happy about. But deep down, she does know. I am happy because of her and my dad. I am happy because I feel so much love in every second of my life, in every touch and hug and kiss. I feel it in the special food I eat, the medication I take (that my mom walked three miles in the snow to get yesterday). I feel it in the air I breathe. If a dog did think about the future, this future is better than any that could ever be imagined. Every day is an adventure for me. I know I am lucky to be alive and lucky to be a part of this family. So Happy Birthday to me, I hope I live to be 100.
