Birthday Doggie

Our first "baby" turned 9 years old yesterday! Hope is definitely a member of our family. She doesn't get a lot of blog time, but it doesn't mean we don't love her! :)
We got her in Waco, Texas from a breeder. They were hoping to use her as a show dog but her ears didn't cooperate, which was great for us! (Show Sheltie ears are supposed to fold down but they couldn't get them "trained" that way...they even named her "Hope" because they were hoping her ears would turn so they could keep her!)

She was definitely our first baby. I cried all the way to work the first time I went back after getting her (we picked her up over spring break, so I had the week off from teaching). I hated to think of her in the house all alone! So funny looking back on those days...

She is the best dog in the world. She is loving, loyal, gentle, quiet, and obedient. The girls adore her and have just, in the past year or so, really bonded with her. I think they are old enough now to appreciate her as a playmate, and they are constantly petting her and coddling her...so cute!

Lauryn and Allie made this birthday banner for Hope!
(And for those asking to see...my new glasses...)
Lauryn also made a pinata. She filled it with dog food and dog treats!
Hope had no clue what we were all looking at. She needed help opening her pinata :)
The girls showed Hope the card they made for her, and the rawhide chew toy from her pinata.
The girls made cakes in Lauryn's Easy Bake Oven, and Hope was treated to a tiny piece of cake. :) She is such a special part of our family, and makes our lives very happy!

Happy Birthday Hopeopotamus!!