HAPPY BIRTHDAY OSCAR! (December 12th...I didn't want to forget so I am a bit early!)
In two days the best (also the only) dog I've ever loved turns 3!
As we reach this monumental birthday...I reflect on all the times we thought he wouldn't make it to 3. Perhaps the near death experience that landed him with a broken hip...maybe the running away at 6 weeks old...perhaps the rat poison incident...or the bear he met at my parents. His weight gain during my pregnancy was rough on him...and it's possible he will not survive Axel as a toddler. Through all of that and other unmentionable events (perhaps some we don't know of)...he has been the grouchiest, most demanding and WONDERFUL dog I have seen!
Knowing we were in for a crazy ride...even his first visit to the vet they tagged him with "a huge attitude". Not being a previous animal lover or owner...I didn't think pets had personality or "attitude". Oscar has taught me many things over the years and patience is one of them!
Being a mother who vows to never spank my children...I will say that Axel has never tempted me...although the DOG has!!! As he tilts his head in a fashion only beagles can do and blinks his huge brown eyes, he lays into a knitting project or a favorite toy of Axel's. All I can do is watch because deep down I would give him the world if I could!
Every year we take him somewhere special on his birthday. We used to go to "Bone Adventure" in Edina, Minnesota...but this year it is a little snowy to make the drive...we will however take him to a local pet friendly store and buy him whatever he sniffs!
Oscar is his own sort of wild dog. While he has never spent time in the wilderness (outside of my parents property where we can see him the whole time)...even though he has never been trained by wild dogs...the animal instinct prevails! For example: when we give him a processed "Dingo" bone...he find a corner to hide it in, and then runs to my fabric scraps, chooses a beautiful sample and proceeds to cover up his bone!!! Pretty amazing! He also displays animal behavior when he decides which pillow to rest his butt on...mine or Jahred's. He makes the decision carefully and then spins in circles on the chosen pillow only to rest there and lick himself clean!
I am posting below a few of Oscars best moments. He doesn't like to show off...but here he is in his full glory!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OSCAR...WE LOVE YOU!