It’s hard to believe 10 years have gone by from the day we saw this photo on an adoption website, and we knew we had to have you.
Some days that seems like a million years ago, but on others, I can still recall your joy the first time you splashed around in the stream along the dog run we used to go to in Baltimore.
Or the way you could play fetch for hours. Or your preference for chewing up comforters and Ikea furniture as a puppy in our old Baltimore apartment.
I know a lot has changed in our family over the last 10 years, like this:
But you took it all in stride, although I know it must have been difficult and confusing, to suddenly have your position in the family go down a few notches and have to share us with these two noisy and demanding creatures. Not to mention having your name go from Rave to Buddy’s “Ray-Ray” to Mimi’s “Ravy” (even though she’s the only one who calls you that).
I know it has taken awhile for you and Buddy to connect (he being the energetic boy that he is, you being the quiet, nervous, and — yes — sometimes needy girl that you are) but it makes me so happy now to see the two of you play and hangout together, just a boy and his dog.
And you and Mimi have had a special bond right from the start. Maybe by this time you knew the drill, knew what this new family member meant. Maybe it’s because Mimi was always very gentle and nurturing with you. Whatever it is, you two have been best friends for three years and it’s been a joy and a pleasure to see.
Even though you may have been jealous of those kids, you never let it show, and to this day you have been nothing but gentle with them, even when they use you as a couch for their dolls.
Or make you wear Mardi Gras beads.
I can’t tell you how many people over the years have remarked about what a good dog you are, how sweet and calm and gentle. How you rarely bark or whine or complain much. How you’re content simply to be near us, to have companionship.
We say all the time how much we lucked out when we adopted you. And it’s the truth.
You know, in some ways, I think you chose us that fateful day in the adoption center, as much as we chose you.
So thank you for choosing us, for (always) being our first baby, for giving us the confidence that we had what it took to take care of another creature. For loving us. For being you.
Happy 10th birthday, our sweet girl. Can’t wait to take you for a special birthday hike soon!