Saturday, June 8, 2013

HBD Boz

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the day Boz came to live with us. I think of it as his birthday. He was an adult when we got him, but we don't know how old he is. He probably isn't less than twelve or more than fifteen.

For Boz, adoption was liberation: escape from the cage he'd lived in at the shelter for a whole year. For me and John, it was the beginning of feeling like a family.

In honor of Boz's birthday, I think you should go adopt a pet! The adult animals need you the most, and in our experience, they're the best.

We love you, our sweetie old boy.

37 comments:

Dina said...

Dear sweet Boz, let me be the first to wish you a happy birthday and many more. I feel like I know you, as do your fans all around the world; and they are legion.
Mazal tov to your good humans who had the mitsvah of releasing the captives.
Shalom and love to the whole family.

Shell Sherree said...

You're a beautiful family. Happy birthday, dear Boz. If I ever meet you in pawson, I'll feel very blessed.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOZ! and many more... I am sure you have taught,enlightened as well as shown your love to your Ma and Pa.... 4 legged friends bring out the best in 2 legged ones. :-)

dive said...

Yay! Happy Birthday, Boz! Handsomest guy in California by a long way.

Book Dragon said...

Happy Birthday Boz!

Adopting a dog is a big step and one I’d like to take. I’ve already picked out a breed! I want to do agility training and when I asked the AKC they said a rescue would be just fine and thanks for thinking of it!.

Too bad one of my cats attacked the last dog to visit us. Put a claw into his eye! Dog is fine, so is the eye but dang, not chancing that happening again.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you all. I will relay your good wishes to Boz. He's napping on the porch right now. It's one of his favorite things to do.

When you're ready to go forward with pet adoption, BD, you might try checking online to see if there is a rescue organization that specializes in the breed you're looking for. Many organizations like this exist. You can also see pictures of available dogs online, and find the friend you're looking for.

Anonymous said...

I love the Teddy Butt. Happy Birthday, Boz.

Petrea Burchard said...

I have many photos of the Teddy Butt, but opted to include the whole dog in today's photo.

Adele said...

Happy Birthday, Boz! What a fortunate day it was for all of you! Enjoy your day. I suggest several long naps, and perhaps a light stroll. And snacks.

TheChieftess said...

Happy Birthday Boz!!! Kelly says woof woof too!!! Take your mom and pop out for a nice walk today!!!

TheChieftess said...

BTW...if you're in the neighborhood of Birmingham Alabama...Virginia has a beauty of a Golden Retriever looking for a forever home!!!

http://birminghamalabamadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-home-for-coosa.html

Petrea Burchard said...

Boz has already had one extra treat today, plus he's been enjoying his morning. He likes to alternate sitting in the sun with sitting in the shade, heating and cooling, heating and cooling.

So yes, Adele, long naps and snacks so far have been achieved. Walk later.

Chieftess, thanks for the link. I hope some lucky family adopts Coosa.

Diana said...

Happy anniversary, Boz! You landed in the honey pot, y'know? Well, you deserved it!

Sorry, Petrea, but Sadie will not tolerate another dog on her turf, which is how she wound up with me; hopefully it will be a good long while before she needs "replacement."

BaysideLife said...

Happy Birthday Boz from Dakota and me!

Bellis said...

He's had 10 wonderful years, which have hopefully wiped out the memory of what came before. I can't bear to think of him in a cage for a whole year.

Many happy returns, Boz.

Ms M said...

A wonderful tribute to Boz -- and for adopting pets that are adults. They are indeed incredible companions and family members.
Give Boz an extra hug for me :-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Honeypot is one of Boz's nicknames, Diana.

Merci, Bayside!

It's hard for me to think of it, too, Bellis, but thank goodness one of the volunteers at Boxer Rescue had taken a liking to him and gave him special love when she could.

Ms M, I will hug Boz for you when he wakes up from his current nap.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Happy birthday, dear Boz! Warm wishes to you! You look adorable!

Virginia said...

WEll just go ahead and make be cry !!! I love your sweet Boz almost as much as the rest of you. I am grateful for the day I got to spend in your lovely home with Bozerino. Rescue children are the best.
V

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Sonia! I know you know how much I love him.

I'm grateful for that day, too, Virginia.

Katie said...

Oh that Boz is such a cutiepie. And what a delightful anniversary to be celebrating! I'm sure the shelter is but a vague memory to Boz now. I hope Boz had a good low-key Birthday. Here's to many more!

Latino Heritage said...

Happy anniversary and birthday to you all. Here's wishing you all many more times when you can quietly revel in your having found each other.

LOLfromPasa said...

We all love your Boz. As I am writing this on Sunday, hope he had a super day! He certainly is looking good :).

Petrea Burchard said...

We had a lot of petting and kissing, which is like any other day. On our walk in the neighborhood, we let Boz set the pace. It took ages, but he got to smell everything he wanted to.

Petrea Burchard said...

"Petting and kissing." Now I realize how weird that sounds. But I'm leaving it in because it's true.

LONDONLULU said...

Happy Birthday to Boz, what a beautiful happy "tale" of adoption! We are hoping to adopt a pooch ourselves - we miss having a dog around! (Meantime, we are loving our jaunts to the local shelter:)

LONDONLULU said...

*I meant "tail":)

Petrea Burchard said...

Lulu, I know you'll find a friend at the shelter, and whoever is your lucky choice will be a good companion.

Susan Campisi said...

Happy Birthday, Boz. Happy anniversary to you and your oh so sweet family. We really do all love Boz. Poor pooch starting out life in a cage. But lucky pooch for ending up with you and John. I know you both feel lucky to have him, too, which is a testament to a wonderful home, I think.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think actually, Boz started out life okay. But he got out of the yard, or got lost, or something. The shelter story is a long one so I won't tell it here, but he arrived there as an adult. As far as they could tell he hadn't been abused, just lost.

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh--and no tags, no microchip. So important. Because I think his previous owners loved him.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

His back legs look like those of a dancer

Petrea Burchard said...

John says they look like ham hocks. Either way, his toes are absolutely beautiful.

Linda said...

Happy anniversary to Boz! We have two doggies so I won't be adopting another for a while.

beckynot said...

Boz looks sweet and dignified, and a little indignant as befits a dog. Congratulations on his being part of your family.

I left my 15 year old dog with my husband when we separated because it seemed cruel to move him, but I miss him terribly and am very aware of his mortality. Even more than with people I think being aware of the mortality of pets is part of the experience.

Boz thinks you've done very well with his life, but would like to remind you (it's canine code) that there's always room for improvement.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Linda! I see you anticipated our birthday request!

There is always room, beckynot. Boz is constantly trying to instruct us in how he wants things to be.

Unknown said...

How did I miss this? Scott and I send belated wishes to dear Boz on the occasion of his birthday!