Happy 1st Birthday, Badger!

Last June, we adopted a 15-lb "Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix" puppy. Awww...

Some time in the past 8 months, the cute little puppy pictured above grew into the monstrosity pictured below.

This morning, we found a 45-lb demonic seal waiting for its breakfast. AHHH!

During this time, he has destroyed the following:

• One dog bed
• One Cowboys pillow (it's okay, I never did like the Cowboys)
• One froggy glove (Llamaentity may never forgive this transgression)
• Four stuffies
• One rubber chicken
• Two "indestructible" rubber toys
• One Gentle Leader headcollar
• One squeaky Kong donut
• Two toys belonging to a friend's dog (one of which was brand new)
• Some skin on my hand and a fingernail, from pulling on his leash
• Our ability to lead normal social lives

Here are the things he has brought into our lives:

• Ticks
• Tapeworms (both have since been taken care of)
• Daily exercise
• New places to explore, such as a hiking trail, a pond, and a rail trail
• Dog-friendly events, such as UMass Lowell's Pucks & Paws night
• A reason to wake up on weekends
• The pitbull blogging community (and indirectly, Mushroom)
• A slobbery tongue
• Hilarious facial expressions
• A warm, fuzzy footrest for cold winter nights
• Unconditional love (okay, that's probably more for the treats than for us)

It's almost an even trade - he just owes Llamaentity one froggy glove.

Badger waiting for his "birthday cake" (kibble, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, and a biscuit)

Badger actually pulled the biscuit out and took it to his dog bed to eat first

Badger's birthday present - a squeaky bone which hurt Llamaentity's ears and was taken away after half an hour

So happy 1st birthday, Badger! We can't wait until you're old and calm.