Publisher’s message: Ryan celebrates his 12th birthday

A couple weeks ago, I got a crazy idea.

With Ryan’s 12th birthday approaching, I decided he needed to have a special celebration.

So I planned a birthday party for him that took place Saturday, even though his actual birthday is today, April 29.

And invited his favorite human friends.

They were willing to indulge me and brought wrapped gifts, toasted his special day and oohed and aahed and fussed over him for hours. My friends have all loved and lost dogs in their lifetimes so they understood how important this celebration was … to me.

Years ago, I promised Ryan I wouldn’t make him wear a costume or some other stupid human idea of cute doggy dress-up when I realized he didn’t particularly like it. Some dogs think it’s fun; he hates it. 

But when I was out shopping for the party, I saw this crown and I could not resist. I thought he should have something regal to wear to celebrate this milestone. And unless the camera lies, he enjoyed it.

I honestly think he knew something special was up — just for him. Look at that smile on his face. It was in almost every photo I took. And, he had a little pep in his step all day. (Then slept like a rock Saturday night after everyone left.)

I didn’t ask anyone to sing him Happy Birthday. He wouldn’t have heard it anyway. But I planned the menu that included food he could eat, we toasted him and then there was ice cream.

He got all kinds of special dog treats and toys — and there are plenty of leftovers for today, his “real” birthday day. At 12, Ryan deserves a 2-day celebration, don’t you think? Or maybe even a 12-day one?

As anyone with a senior dog understands, each day is precious because you never know how many more you’ll have together.

You watch them closely and note little changes — knowing they are part of the natural aging progression.

But life is for the living, right? And even if Ryan didn’t completely understand all the fuss, I did. And it will be a memory I’ll never forgot.

Here’s hoping that everyone will be back next year — for Ryan’s first day as a teenager.