Pudge the World’s Greatest Dog turns 11 years old today. He’s a little grayer, walks a little slower, aches a little more when he gets up from his naps. Kinda like his old man.
Pudge has been a great friend to all of us, and having him around the house has changed the dynamic. (Witness the swiping of food plates from unsuspecting guests at our pool parties. And the ever-present wardrobe accessories that were once Pudge hairs.) Makes me appreciate those seemingly random moments in life that utterly change the way things unfold.
Meeting Pudge was pure chance. A quick stop at the local animal hospital that happened to have adoptions available. On that day, at that moment, there was a litter of seven beagle-sheltie pups. One of them walked up to me, licked my toes (it was a sandal-ish day), and 11 years later, we’re celebrating another year with our hairy little friend.
Life is full of those random moments. Think about it…what if you hadn’t gone out the night you met your future wife? And your kids? Talk about random moments. We need to appreciate these things more.
Cheers to you, my good friend Pudge! Here’s to many more years and many more miles!
Daddy-O