Being 7 years old was wonderful! Lupe was fortunate enough to get to go on many adventures near and far, and always had plenty of food and water, so life was just about perfect. However, the day came when SPHP announced it was her birthday again. Lupe was now 8 years old!
Being 8 years old started out fine. In the morning, Loop easily caught the flying disc she’d gotten on her 7th birthday the first couple of times SPHP threw it for her. She didn’t catch it every time, mainly due to SPHP’s faulty aim, but the Carolina Dog was willing to forgive that.
However, by mid-afternoon being 8 had already turned terribly sad. Lupe’s friend Sidney was sick with serious heart problems. He hadn’t been eating for days. Lupe and SPHP went to see Sidney to try to cheer him up. Big Sid did respond, but he just wasn’t feeling well at all.
A little before sunset, things got better. Lupe got to ride in the G6. It was only to a couple of stores, but SPHP did pick up a birthday cake for her. Every year there is a birthday party for Lupe at Grandma’s house. This year wasn’t going to be any different.
When the time came to head for Grandma’s, Lupe was excited! On the way, she barked at the gas pipeline from the G6 like she always does. She barked at cows and deer she couldn’t even see, because it was totally dark out. The Carolina Dog figured they were out there, though. They almost always are.
When Loopster got to Grandma’s, she burst in through the front door as soon as SPHP opened it. Wearing her party hat, she raced upstairs to the living room, dining room, and kitchen looking for Grandma.
Grandma was cooking in the kitchen. Try as she might, Lupe couldn’t get Grandma’s attention. SPHP sent Lupe into the kitchen 5 or 6 times. Finally Grandma noticed that the birthday girl had arrived! That’s when the birthday cheer and loving really started.
Grandma and Lupe posed for photos, sitting first by the fireplace, and then on the white couch together. Grandma wished Lupe a very happy birthday!
SPHP brought out some presents and Lupe’s birthday cake. Grandma had a present for Lupe, too! Lupe had to be very patient, and sit calmly next to all these treasures. She did her best to be good.
Grandma had made cheeseburgers for dinner. SPHP gave Lupe only a few small pieces of cheeseburger, which was rather disappointing. Loop hadn’t eaten much today. Didn’t seem right to have to starve on your birthday! At least there was going to be cake and ice cream later on.
A year ago, Mush and Butterfly, Grandma’s 3-legged cat, had been here for Lupe’s party. This year Grandma and SPHP were the only guests. Butterfly had gone to kitty heaven more than a month ago. Lupe didn’t mind a small party, but it was sad to think that Butterfly was gone.
During dinner, Grandma said that Mush and David had called her this morning, and had asked what she was doing for lunch. Grandma had told them that she had a dental appointment, so they hadn’t gotten together. Near the end of this news, Grandma mentioned that maybe Mush and David were still in town.
Still in town? SPHP tried to call them. Mush answered. Yes, they were still in town. In fact, they were on their way to Grandma’s house right now! Attendance at Lupe’s birthday party was about to double. The more, the merrier!
When Mush and David arrived, they wished Lupe a happy birthday, too. Lupe appreciated it, but by now had something she wanted to do right away. Were Mush and David going to stick around for a while? They were. That was good, because Lupe wanted to go to the cul-de-sac.
Lupe and SPHP almost always visit the cul-de-sac whenever Lupe comes to Grandma’s house. It’s a tradition, and this time of year you can see the official “Most Beautiful Christmas Tree” along the way. Going to the cul-de-sac would only take 20 minutes or so. Grandma, Mush and David could visit while waiting for Lupe and SPHP to return.
The night was dark, but quite warm for mid-December. On the way to the cul-de-sac, Lupe stopped to admire not only the Most Beautiful Christmas Tree, but other notable Christmas displays, as well.
When Lupe got back to Grandma’s house, it was time for another photo session, this time with well-wishers Mush and David.
Grandma joined in.
Next it was time for the dangerous part – the trial by fire! SPHP brought out Lupe’s birthday cake again, and lit all 8 candles. The blazing bonfire was even larger than last year’s!
Too make it even scarier, SPHP turned out all the lights.
That old trick wasn’t going to work this time around! The 8 year old Dingo knew the trial by fire wouldn’t last long. As soon as the lights came back on, she would get her reward. It would be time to open presents!
The American Dingo was all smiles as Grandma, Mush, David and SPHP all sang Happy Birthday to her. SPHP made certain to include a part at the end about “And Many More!”, too.
The lights came on. The candles were allowed to burn a couple more minutes. Mush then blew them all out so Lupe’s birthday wish would come true. Lupe kept her wish a secret, because that’s tradition. SPHP guessed it might have something to do with having lots more adventures in the coming year.
Once the candles were out, Mush helped Lupe open her presents. The Carolina Dog made quite a haul! She sniffed each gift eagerly.
Although Lupe was anxious to dig into all of her presents right this very minute, SPHP didn’t let her. That was because Loop’s last present was meant for immediate consumption.
Well, almost immediate. Grandma was going to broil Lupe’s steak for her, even though the American Dingo would have been perfectly happy tearing right into it. While Lupe was waiting for her steak to cook, Mush and David let her try a bone marrow treat from a bag of them they had bought for their dog, Chewy.
When it comes to T-Bone steaks, the American Dingo didn’t really need any appetizers, but Looper wasn’t complaining. The bone marrow treat vanished.
Soon the steak was ready.
Cake and ice cream was served to all of Lupe’s guests. Only Looper got T-Bone steak. For dessert (as if one needs dessert after ice cream) Lupe got to chomp a Dingo Twist Stick, too.
Everyone had fun. Lupe’s 8th birthday bash was a success! The Carolina Dog went home with a whole year of being 8 to anticipate ahead of her. Who knows what adventures the coming year might bring? Lupe hopes you will return here now and then to see how being 8 all turns out!
Links:
Lupe’s 7th Birthday (12-14-17) Lupe’s 9th Birthday (12-14-19)
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