Cricket's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Cricket!

A few weeks ago we were invited to Cricket's eighth birthday party.  Cricket is the Dachshund with her mom Kerry.  Cricket is recovering from a ruptured disc that happened suddenly.  She became paralyzed and Kerry had to rush her down to the Veterinary Neurological Center in Phoenix.  The same place Zephyr went to, but she had a different doctor.  If you look close you can see where her back was shaved.  So, this was an extra special birthday for Cricket and Kerry.  Charlie, the Papillon at Zephyr's foot, is also recovering from surgery on a back knee and doing great.

Cricket opens her presents.

Cricket had a great time.  She's allowed to walk now, but no crazy play.  Cricket is a very accomplished agility girl, so it's kind of hard to keep her down.

The boys play with their new friend Molly.

This was Zephyr's first time playing and running with other dogs since he got sick.  I was pretty nervous.  It was a warm day and I just didn't know how all the activity would effect him.  I still worry that something will trigger a seizure or the encephalitis.  I'm happy to say that he had a blast and there were no negative side effects.

Whip checks out the tall dogs.

Zephyr had a great time with all the dogs.  I think playing with dogs is his favorite thing next to coursing.  Zephyr did end up with a bit of a crush on Whip and had to be kept in line.  She's super cute, so I can certainly understand why.

"OMG!!!  I'm in Heaven!!"

Astro continues to perfect his methods for achieving the finest face covering.  I'd say he's come a long way since its first public debut.  Molly was doing a good job learning his technique.  Astro couldn't understand why all the humans shrieked and shooed him away when he came up to say hi.

"We are in a race!"

This was the longest that Zephyr had ran and played.  He stayed at the party for about 2 hours and I think almost half of that was spent playing.

Mouse wants some of the action too.

Mouse is the Dachshund that Astro had a great time running with early this summer.  She really wanted to play again, but it was hard with all the big dogs going crazy.  Astro and the lab (I'm blanking on her name :-( ) really hit it off.  They were wrestling until the end of the party.

Having the best time!

"Aaah, Don't get your cooties on me!"

Whip will gladly take that Ping Pong ball.

The humans played some Ping Pong and the dogs were very happy to help out.  I had taken Zephyr home to rest by this time.  Whip was our catcher.

Cricket is also an accomplished Ping Pong player.

Bones Would Rain From the Sky

Cricket gave out BBQed beef ribs as party favors!  Zephyr and Astro loved them, and they kept them busy for about an hour.