happy birthday, savannah.

last saturday was savannah's ninth birthday. where has nine years gone? really.

I remember the day I brought savannah home with me from a farm in west point, ga. it was right before the 4th of july in 2000, which was the summer before my senior year of college. she was one fluffy fuzzball and so darn cute. she cried the entire drive back to auburn. she's seen a lot of life changes in her nine years ... there are times I wonder if she misses the days when it was just she and I, and she slept in the bed with me every night. now she shares her toys, a home, a yard, my love and affection, and a place on the floor with two more two legged family members and three other four legged family members. Through all the changes, she has lived up to the typical Golden Retriever personality and is one special dog. She is/was my first "baby" and will always have a unique place in my heart. But if you've ever had the pleasure (and it truly is a pleasure) of having more than one pet, you know what it means for each of them to be uniquely special. they each capture your love in their own way, and so it is with our other four legged babies.

happy birthday, big one. you are my red dog and I love you.