Happy Turkey Day!!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I decided to post what I am most thankful for about my polka-dot pony.

1.  Kisses -- While the kisses are sometimes a bit wet and not necessarily executed with the sweetest breath (did I mention how much I miss puppy breath?) it is still wonderful to have someone love you so much that their entire face takes you in.  The occasional slow, sensual lick on bare skin in the early morning hours is omitted from my thanks, mainly because of its extreme creepiness.

2.  Snuggles -- Even at only 6 months old, he is so big and cuddly and I adore the way he walks in circles, getting just the right position to plop before he goes to sleep - right in the bend behind my legs.  I am, however, wondering where my husband will sleep after his next growth spurt.

3.  Protection -- Did I mention that our neighbor (yes, THAT neighbor) wanted to see him the other day and the whole way across the street, he crouched down as if he were planning to pounce.  The sinister roofers are once again out, and while I know he wants to protect me, he shows his loyalty by refusing to go potty outside and only stays inside with me.

4.  He's a Recycler -- There is nothing that Cassius cannot find an alternative use for, including poop.  Poop should end at poop, I think... but no.  Socks, toys, paper... it all has a secondary use.  I'm not sure that eating everything benefits the Earth, unless you count the impending vet bills we will incur, thus helping to support our fellow man.  I'm thinking this hobby is too much stress, unless we reign in our little Earth Dog.

5.  He's a Social Facilitator -- He IS the life of the party.  Everywhere he goes, he makes friends.  He knows no strangers.  In fact, when his big ol' nose gets on a mission, his new friend is thoroughly... probed.  I try to help him retain some decorum, but unless I've done my 200 lb bench presses, it's no easy task.  The good news is that for me, contented to stay antisocial many days, I have met so many nice people as a result of his charm and outgoing nature.

6.  He's a Financial Prioritizer -- Many people are attracted to expensive handbags and impractical shoes, and while I will admit my affection for nice things has not waned, Cash's respect for such things (see #4) has encouraged me to keep such non-necessities in perspective.  The mere thought of his monster mouth, seeping thick Dane drool all over a pair of Louboutins brings a tear to my eye.  I could kid myself and aim for a date that he will outgrow his teething frenzy, but I think that drool is here to stay.

7.  He Offers Vacuuming Assistance -- He's good... I mean  REALLY good.  He can clear sections of flooring faster than my Dyson.  My only complaint is that he doesn't have that little compartment that you can search for lost Lego pieces after they've been mistakenly devoured.

8.  He's a Spa Attendant -- You've all seen how much help he can be in the bath, but he is equally helpful in the shower.  Our shower is a walk-in with no door, so a day does not go by that he doesn't follow us in to dig at the drain, sniff the shampoo, or just freak us out with his tongue.  I will say that he is the cleanest dog we've ever had.

9.  He's a Window Washer -- The back door, the living room, the front door... but no other place is quite so attended as the car windows, streamed with a thick garland of puppy slobber.  In all fairness, I have never spent so much time cleaning the windows as I do now, so his contribution does help the windows stay cleaner.

10.  That Look -- You know... the look he gives me when he doesn't want anything, but those big, sea glass eyes, ringed in black, just stare through me, watching me... waiting to see what we're going to do next.  Looking at me - his buddy.  Looking to see what I want, what would make me happy.  The look that is the reason I do it all.  The reason I am so very thankful.

I hope each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Don't tell her, but this look usually gets me some kind of yummy treat.

Awww, the calm before the storm.  Bwahahahaa!