Happy Rocco Day!

Today is another momentous occasion in our household. Rocco the Wonder Dog is five years old today!

Since today is his special day, we will not dwell on the things he doesn't do well (like respecting the carpet). Rather, we will appreciate the one thing Rocco is really good at. Rocco is really good at being a dog!

That is to say Rocco is not aspiring to be a human being, as some other dogs (and their masters) seem to. I get really frustrated with people who insist their dogs are "almost people". Dogs are dogs and people are people. The wise dogs and people know this. Rocco does, and celebrates his doggie-ness. He does not need to know how to drive a car or open a refrigerator. If he needs such things done, he knows there is one of those two legged creatures around to do it for him. Neither does he feel the need to perform "tricks", or to "obey". Just ask him to "sit" or "heel". He will look at you like you are the stupidest thing he has ever seen, which you are if you expect him to do things like sit, or heel.

The one thing Rocco does really well though, is showing us how much he loves us. He doesn't care what happened to  you at work or whatever, as long as his dish is full and you are around, and will cater to his every need, he loves you. No matter how bad your day is going, having that little guy climb onto your lap, look at you with his moist brown eyes and fall asleep makes all your troubles melt away. "He so loves and trusts us", you think to yourself, as you contemplate the fact you are now pinned underneath a 40 pound beagle for the next hour or so.

So Happy Birthday, little buddy! A dog's life, like a pleasant breeze, is short. So let's enjoy it while we can.