Kip and I (Marge) are the same age! According to this tool, a 5 year old dog is equivalent to a 33 year old human. And today is Mr. Kip's birthday.
Kip came into our family sort of by accident. We had Owen and thought he could use a friend. I got a call from a rescue we'd worked with in the past, Home Furever, and they were desperate for fosters. They'd been housing five dogs in a kennel for months and some were starting to suffer mentally and physically. I sent Will over to meet the five and choose one. We debated between two - Kip and another. Will was worried Kip would be too strong/wild (and he was clearly part pit-bull) but was drawn to him. I told Will to choose. He chose the other. But on the phone with the rescue he had a change of heart and told them we'd take Kip. Best change of heart. Maybe ever.
We hauled him to adoption events every other weekend. No takers. Meanwhile, at home, we started calling him "cat-dog." He was skittish and shy, often opting to hide out in our room rather than socialize. But, he was really pretty great. So, for a second time we became foster failures and Kip joined our family permanently. That was two years ago. Since then, we've shipped Owen off to a more appropriate home and Kip's stayed.
I wanted to change his name. Will begged to differ, saying it reminded him of a gay flower shop owner and was funny. So, it stayed too.
We knew he was awesome before, but after welcoming Maizey into our life we realized he was something special. After some serious dog ups and downs (crazy Cooper, ass-hole Owen...) he's reminded us that dog-ownership can be joyful and easy. So, thanks Kip. And happy birthday.
Your gift this year? NO cake.
Since last year was so traumatizing...
