Three.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYLIE!!!!

My little bear turned three years old today!  I made her a paper hat and tried to take some cute birthday pictures of her, but this one basically sums up how she felt about being posed:

I adopted Rylie from Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue in Houston, TX in March of 2009, and I can't begin to count the ways in which she has been a blessing to me, to my family, and to everyone she has met since that day.  Join me for a little stroll down memory lane, won't ya?  [You can read the whole story about Rylie's mama, her babies, and their first few weeks of life here.]

January 23, 2009:  Rylie's very pregnant mama, Lulu, was found walking the streets of Houston.  Sweet sweet volunteers from GBGRR scooped her up and took her to the vet. 

January 25, 2009: Rylie, her 2 sisters, and 4 brothers are born!

 

February-ish, 2009: My bff and soon-to-be roommate, Ali, finds out about these precious puppies through an email sent to the vet school students and tells me about them.  I have been researching and looking for a furry friend of my own for about a year at this point, so I give it some serious consideration and decide to fill out the adoption application.  I have my eye set on Star.

March 11, 2009 (my birthday!): I get a call from GBGRR saying that my application has been reviewed and they've held the last puppy for me if I want her!  "Absolutely! Yes! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Yes! Did I say that already? Yes!" 

March 13, 2009:  I drive to Magnolia, TX to pick up my little pup.  I am supposed to be getting Pink, but when I get there, Star is also there.  After a few minutes of playing, it's clear that Star is the one for me!  I sign some papers and we're off on our new adventure!

 

Rylie's first year:

Rylie's second year: 

Rylie's third year:

 I won't tell you that my dog's the perfect dog or that she's better than yours.  But she's definitely perfect for me.  She is always excited to see me: whether I'm getting out of bed in the morning, coming home from work, or just getting out of the shower, she's there, tail wagging.  She doesn't care if the routine is inconsistent, as long as she gets her play time and her food and a little lovin'.  She takes care of us when we're sick, in that special way that dogs do.  There aren't enough words to describe how wonderful this pup is.  Basically, give her a little love and she'll give it back tenfold.  And she'll look darn cute, too.

Happy birthday, little monkey.