Happy THIRTEENTH Birthday, Maria!

It's late, and both of the Servants are just a'snoring away, sounding like two old steam engines. But they managed to get some photos of my birthday feast, and I thought I'd go ahead and post them.

I must say, the Servant had me worried with her lollygagging and sluggishness, but once the two giant meat loaves were in the oven, I allowed myself a little nap. The person Molly, who almost shares my birthday and is close enough to be a sterling human, totally saved the day by baking my cake. The Servant came flying back from the store, flung a bag of flour and a cookbook at the Molly, and said, "You can make the cake while I peel the potatoes!"

Many of my favorites were here. Lee and Dee, Harvey and Jeannie, Aynex who has a C-A-T but we love her anyway, Sweet Heather and Yes! Baby Ben. The Servant totally messed up the invitation to Karen and Steve. Sigh. I don't know what to do with the Servant. And we missed Deb and Merle, but Deb has a sick throat and sneezles, though she managed to send me a favorite Chumly birthday e-card.

I did forgive her once the gigantic meat loaves came out of the oven! Oh yes I did and how. There were meat loaves with marinara sauce, and roasted potatoes and carrots, and corn which we love to eat because it comes out whole in our poop, and then there was my delicious cake which the Molly made of bananas and cinnamon and it had whipped cream slathered on it which Harvey shared with Very Old Dog

and me of course. Mama Pajama used this as a diversionary tactic to help the C-A-T woman Aynex, whom we like anyway, finish her cake and ice cream, but Aynex likes chocolate ice cream and the servant started shrieking something "no no no"-ish. (We don't know why she bothers to shriek, because none of us listen ever, and, actually I'm quite sure that none of the humans do either.)

These were all my wonderful gifts, to top off the whole evening. That is not me lying in the middle of the moose with five squeakers and the chicken whose shorts are aflame. That is a likeness of me, painted on a table runner in 1996 by the manservant's daughter Sara who is an artist too.

It isn't every evening that a dog turns thirteen. My Servant is so fortunate to have been able to enjoy me all these years. I am especially good at creating joy and laughter. I have a twinkle in my eye, which comes straight from the fun in my soul. I look spectacular, but my legs get a little shaky at times. I still rule this household, and I do it with a keen sense of humor and silliness. I can squeak a squeaky toy 573 times in the time it takes the Servant to dish up our breakfast! And I do every morning: 573 squeaks before their coffee! How can they not sit down to their oatmeal with a smile?

Well, that's it. I'm thirteen years old now.

hug your humans-

The Lady Maria

(if you would like to read more about me just click on the label "Maria" right below Asta's sweet card)

OH LOOK! Sweet Asta sent Maria a special card which she made all by herself! Isn't it adorable?

Thank you Asta! Extra hugs for you!!!