Wootube!

Dolittle's got nothin' on me

ZOMG! 12!

By 36 Comments

Twelve years ago today, Tweed entered this world and I am ever so grateful that he did.  He was born in a rescuer’s home to a cattle herding border collie mama, who found herself in the family way by a sneaky Australian Shepherd foster dog who could climb fences.  In other words, his conception was very naughty, and it set the tone for his whole life.

Some dogs you fall in love with instantly.  Others grow on you.  Tweed has grown on me so much he’s like a second skin, and I couldn’t begin to imagine my world without him.

He’s given me so much over the years.  Briggs led us to the sport of agility, but Tweed taught me how to play it.  He showed me how important it was to have a sense of humour, and in return he gave me many opportunities to exploit it.  The blog may be called Wootube, but Tweed has been the banana peel on the floor of my life.

No matter how undignified the request, Tweed has always been willing to give it a shot.

And he’ll do it with a smile on his face.

Or at least he’ll patiently put up with my nonsense.

An uncle

a wrasslin’ buddy

A champion

He is, most importantly, my very best friend.

For while there have been, and will always be, many dogs in my life

There will only ever be one Tweed.

I used to joke that Tweed was going to live forever, to punish me for something bad I did in a previous life, and probably bark forever too.  And the other day we were playing outside and itty bitty light-as-a-feather Spring bumped into barrel-chested solid-as-a-tree Tweed and knocked him over on his face.  It took my breath away.  I realized that my 12 year old dog was … well, twelve.  He’s an old dog now, and time isn’t marching backward.  Maybe if I get him a sportscar, and a young boyfriend, we can stop him from aging?

In the meantime, I enjoy every minute I have with him, even the barky ones.  Here’s to 12 more years of that noise, Tweedle-dee-dee!

Oh sure, but you yell at ME when I bark?!?!

If you don’t shut up, *I* will do more than yell.

You know, all that noise isn’t helping me hunt the rats under this old dock!

Duh – what’s everybody barking about?

*sigh*  I can’t even reminisce without the whole peanut gallery getting involved!

Anyway, since I have to work today, we celebrated yesterday with a long walk around the dykes near Pitt Lake.  Then we came home and I let him eat cake!

For me?

OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!

Happy Twelfth Birthday to the awesomest Baussie in the world!!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 12 is a surprise. Rolley turned 12 in February, and while he is still a going concern, like Tweed, he got knocked over by a ewe this year, and my heart stopped.

  3. Happy Birthday, Tweed – you are looking good! And as handsome as ever!

  5. Happy Birthday Tweed! I am so glad that naughty Aussie jumped the fence.

  9. Happy birthday you handsome, sweet boy! My birthday wish for you is more cake and no more limping ever!!!
    <3 <3 <3

  14. Aww, Tweed, you are the bestest, I hope you are an old(er) dog for a long, long time. Another 12 years would be good!

    Damn, I remember when you got him, Sheena. You know how some dogs peak in puppyhood? Not Tweed — he got better and better. Like a fine whine. LOL!

  16. Happy Birthday to Tweed! Long may you bark, and run and jump as in the days of puppyhood. And savor the warmth of the sun and the sweetness of a good nap and good friends in ways that puppies can never understand.

  19. The southern US contingent of the Tweed Fan Club sends best wishes for a long, happy, healthy life to our favorite red dog. :)

    Live long and prosper, dear Tweed!

  21. Happy Birthday, Tweed, you handsome devil! Bark on!

    PS. The puppy Tweed photo is squee!

  26. Happy Barky Birthday Tweed! You could be the doppelganger to my 13 year old Jester (aussie). You are both ornery red dawgs! Keep on barkin’!

  27. Yay! Happy Birthday Tweed!
    I love the fuzzy baby Tweed, so cute! And the pic of The Food Lady and Tweed, BFF’s!

  28. let me know how the whole sports car thing works out and i’ll get grimm a motorcycle, sidecar and goggles for his impending 12th.
    cookies for tweed on his birthday and every day.

  30. Happy birthday, Tweed, you magnificent fellow!

    Sheena, the best column you’ve ever written for this blog was the one about Tweed, when you realized he was becoming an Old Man Dog…and when you realized that he was “so full of try.”

    So thrilled for Tweed’s 12th B-day and for many many more birthdays to come.

  31. Also –Best. Line. Ever.

    “The blog may be called Wootube, but Tweed has been the banana peel on the floor of my life.”

  32. Thank you. The NOM NOM NOM picture did indeed make me feel like I was there.

    “Long may you bark.” Nice.

  33. Oh god, his FACE with the mouth full of cake. Too cute.

    Belated happy birthday, Tweed! May you run around and bark your head off for many years to come.

  34. Happy Birthday Tweed…you look so young for your age and I hope you live forever !!!!

  36. Red Dogs rule!!! Happy Birthday, Tweed.

    You have kept him healthy and strong and he still has lots of time. My Puppylove will be 17 on her birthday in October. She is a collie/chow x. She still eats like she has never seen food before and brings her ball to be thrown. Granted she is happy with 3-4 throws instead of 2 hours worth. She is the best puppy anyone ever dumped in my yard.

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