Lupe’s Birthday – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Lupe’s 15th Birthday (12-14-25)

Days 0-1 of Lupe’s 5th Dingo Vacation of 2025 to Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma & New Mexico!

12-13-25, 3:58 PM – A frigid breeze was sweeping over the nearly empty, snow-covered parking lot for KOTA Territory News up on Skyline Drive when Lupe leapt out of Shadow. Off to the SW, the last rays of sunlight the Carolina Dog would ever see as a 14 year old Dingo still gleamed on the Black Hills horizon.

A **frigid Black Hills sunset** on **Lupe’s last day of being 14**. Photo looks SW.

We’re here to deliver a cake, SPHP?

Yup! Tomorrow you’ll be 15, Loopster, and this year I had 2 birthday cakes made for you. One is for KOTA Territory News, since reporter Brad Walton and meteorologist Ryan Hill were so kind as to invite you along on their Hill’s Hills Sylvan Peak adventure a week ago.

Oh, yeah. That was a blast, SPHP! Are Brad and Ryan here, though? Looks like KOTA is closed.

Someone should be here, Loop. Brad told me specifically to bring the cake today at 4:00 PM, and we’re right on time.

Going over to the station, the door was locked. SPHP didn’t know the keypad code required to open it. SPHP pushed an access call button. No response. SPHP called Brad on the phone. No answer.

Well, Dingo feathers, Looper! Wonder what happened? Only 9ºF! The cake will be a block of ice in short order, if we just leave it by the door.

Suddenly, Ryan appeared inside, unlocking the door. Brad returned SPHP’s call at the exact same moment. Ryan ushered Lupe and SPHP into the comfortably warm KOTA station entryway. A friendly chat with Ryan, notification to Brad, and the birthday cake was delivered.

**Lupe’s 15th birthday cake** – KOTA Territory News version!

Whew! Got that done, Sweet Puppy.

I’m glad! Brad and Ryan are so nice to me. Their friend Renae was, too! Now what, SPHP? You still have another birthday cake for me, right? Are you going to throw a 15th birthday party for me tomorrow?

Absolutely! But guess what, Loopster? For the first time ever, we aren’t going to celebrate your birthday here in the Black Hills.

What! Why not, SPHP? Where is it going to be?

At Hotel Dixie, tomorrow afternoon, Loop.

In Arvada, Colorado with Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dixie?

Precisely! Expecting other guests, too! Your 15th birthday party is going to be a real bash, Looper, but I’ve got a lot of packing to do before we head out dark and early tomorrow morning, so let’s head home.

12-14-25, 6:44 AM, still 9ºF – Unfortunately, not as dark and early as SPHP had intended, but all systems were finally go. On her cold, pink blanket, a certain Carolina Dog was excited.

Onward, SPHP! I can’t be late to my own birthday party!

SPHP turned the key. Rather reluctantly, Shadow sprang to life.

Our schedule is going to be a little tighter than anticipated, but you’ll be there, Loop. Promise!

An **expectant American Dingo** about to begin her **15th birthday adventure**.

420 miles to Hotel Dixie! A winter adventure beyond the Black Hills was almost unheard of in Lupe’s experience. The tight schedule meant only a few brief stops along the way.

An early frosty sniff at the **Spring Creek picnic area** while still in the **Black Hills**.

**Favorite rock formations** along Hwy 270 between Lance Creek & Manville, WY.

The temperature fluctuated wildly, up and down, during the long drive, but warmed up a great deal overall as Shadow sped on. After leaving the Black Hills, Wyoming was bone dry. Mid-December, yet scarcely any snow at all, except what appeared to be little more than a dusting way up on Laramie Peak.

Approaching Colorado, even the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains didn’t seem to have much snow on them. The foothills appeared to be completely snow-free.

12-14-25, 2:15 PM – An unbelievable 67ºF! Seemed more like summer than winter when Cousin Dixie greeted Lupe with wild enthusiasm to Hotel Dixie. Incredibly, the grass was still green out on the front lawn.

Definitely looked more like Christmas inside, though.

By the extravagantly decorated **Hotel Dixie Christmas tree**.

Lupe and SPHP would be staying in the ever-popular Hotel Dixie Cowboy Room tonight. After toting in luggage, SPHP also brought in Lupe’s 15th birthday cake, then stuck video gaming candles into it. Meanwhile, the birthday Dingo got gussied up for her upcoming big 15th birthday bash.

**Lupe’s 15th birthday cake** prepared to get lit.

Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe were already here, of course. Andrea had fixed a big pre-cake and ice cream meal for everyone, and soon guests were arriving. Mark came, and began playing the piano, adding to the festive mood. Matt, Cassie, Owen, and Emery showed up a bit later.

L to R: **Owen**, **Mark**, **Emery** & **Andrea**.

Since Lupe had a tendency to lose her party hat rather frequently, Emery took it upon herself to see to it that the hat was never off for too long.

The birthday feast came first. Whether Cousin Dixie believed in Santa Claus, or not, wasn’t entirely clear. However, there wasn’t the slightest doubt that she believed in SPHP. Although feeding Dixie from the table was frowned upon by the management at Hotel Dixie, that didn’t stop outlaw SPHP from smuggling hamburger, cheese, and other goodies to both Dixie and Lupe.

**Cousin Dixie** anticipating the next juicy tidbit from SPHP.

Before long, it was time for the trial by fire! SPHP provided champagne. The candles were lit! Everyone began singing Happy Birthday to Lupe. Owen and Emery were crouched nearby, ready to help Lupe blow out her candles. The American Dingo didn’t seem to mind the massive 15 candle conflagration on her cake at all. She was having fun!

The **Birthday Dingo** with **Owen & Emery** during **“Happy Birthday to You!”**.

And just like that, it was all over and done with. Owen and Emery made certain every candle was blown out. Cake, ice cream, and champagne or sparkling cider for all who wanted it! And presents for Lupe! Owen and Emery helped Lupe open her gifts.

The great unwrapping begins! L to R: **Andrea**, **Emery**, **Owen** & **Cassie**.

Lupe got a Vibrant Life Holiday Hedgehog, Chew Level 2 with squeaker.

**Andrea** shows off Lupe’s brand new **Holiday Hedgehog**.

Treats received included packages of Golden Rewards Pigs in a Blanket, and Blue Buffalo Nudges.

**Blue Buffalo Nudges**. L to R: **Cassie**, **Joe**, **Mark**.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea had also bought Lupe a beautiful, white camping blanket to keep her warm during her Dingo Vacations to Canada & Alaska. The blanket was incredibly soft and cozy!

**Lupe’s very soft and cozy, white camping blanket** from **Joe & Andrea**.

The last present was from SPHP.

Oh, I know what you got me, SPHP!

Do you really now? Are you sure about that, Looper?

You get me the same thing every year, SPHP. It’s a T-bone steak!

Lucky guess, Sweet Puppy! Hope you aren’t disappointed.

Oh, no! I’m not disappointed, SPHP. Not disappointed at all. I love T-bone steaks. Hey, look! It says “Freshness date use or freeze by 12-14-25”. That’s today! Broil it for me, SPHP.

Fully intend to, Loopster. I always do, don’t I?

Good, but wait just a few minutes. I want to show Mika all my birthday loot first, before you broil it.

SPHP lugged Lupe’s birthday loot up to the Cowboy Room where Lupe would be staying, and where Mika was currently trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. If Mika was impressed by Lupe’s good fortune, she didn’t show it. In fact, if anything, she looked a bit miffed.

In the **Cowboy Room** with the **Blue Buffalo Nudges**.

**Mika** (R), not particularly impressed.

Cats are the strangest breed of dog ever, SPHP. They don’t have any clue at all how to be a good pack member. You’d think Mika would be happy for me! Maybe she’s just jealous?

Cats are different, alright, Looper. No denying that. Anyway, ready for me to broil that T-bone for you now?

Lupe was. When the T-bone was ready to eat, the Carolina Dog was kind enough to share a few bites with Dixie. Later on, when SPHP checked the back yard where Lupe had gone to devour the rest of it, not a trace of the T-bone steak remained.

What? You ate the entire thing, T-bone bone and all?

Being 15 has gotten off to a mighty tasty good start, SPHP! And now, after a long day, I suddenly feel like it’s time to hit the hay for a luxurious night’s snooze in the Cowboy Room.

Guess so, Loopster. And some serious digesting, too!

**Lupe’s 15th birthday**, Arvada, Colorado 12-14-25

Links:

Lupe’s 14th Birthday

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Lupe’s 7th Birthday! (12-14-17)

Right on time, the guest of honor dashed into Grandma’s house wearing her party hat. Lupe has always celebrated her birthdays at Grandma’s, and wasn’t about to break with tradition. Good things always happen to her here, and there was no sense in taking any chances on her big day.

Let the festivities begin! The party animal has arrived! Lupe felt fully up to the task of being pampered.

Of course, Grandma was the first to greet Lupe and welcome her to her home.

The 7 year old birthday girl looks forward to being adored.

Most years the only guests at Lupe’s birthday party are Grandma, Grandma’s 3-legged cat Butterfly, and SPHP. This year was different. Mush was here, too!

Grandma, Mush and Lupe all together. Quite a crowd for a Lupe birthday, but Loop could handle the additional lovin’. American Dingoes are instinctive experts at both giving and receiving love.

Mush and Loop. This was Mush’s first Lupe birthday experience ever.

In 2016, SPHP had baked Lupe a birthday cake for her 6th birthday. It had turned out pretty well, especially considering SPHP’s general level of culinary skills. This year, though, it was time for a step up. For the first time ever, Lupe had a store-bought birthday cake. It was decorated with colored sprinkles and pink, purple, and yellow balloons made of whipped cream icing.

Lupe’s first ever store bought birthday cake, complete with a clever message appropriate for the occasion.

No birthday party for a 7 year old girl is complete without presents! SPHP had brought 4 wrapped presents for Loop. What was inside? Lupe was dying to know, but she couldn’t open them quite yet.

Lupe with her birthday cake and presents from SPHP on either side of her. She was enjoying the moment, eagerly awaiting permission to dig in!

Next came the scary part about birthdays – all those dangerous flaming candles! Lupe tried to be calm, but it took all her bravery and a command to sit right there from SPHP to avoid fleeing the scorching bonfire her birthday cake had become.

Lupe was very brave and managed to sit next to 7 frightening flaming candles on her birthday cake long enough for Grandma, Mush & SPHP to sing “Happy Birthday” to her.

Mush blew out Lupe’s birthday candles for her to end the terror. The only bad part was that Mush only blew 6 out on her first try. She used a 2nd breath to blow out the 7th candle. Did that mean Lupe’s birthday wish wouldn’t come true? The Carolina Dog certainly hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but what was done was done.

Anyway, now that the scary part was over, it was time for presents! Mush helped Lupe open them. The first present was an instant hit – a T-bone steak from SPHP.

Mush helped Lupe open her presents. The first one was a T-bone steak from SPHP.

At least one wish Lupe had on her 7th birthday came true. She got a T-bone steak!

Next came a new Kong squeaker ball.

Lupe’s 2nd present was a new Kong squeaker ball. Loop loves squeaker balls!

The 3rd present turned out to be a bag of Purina Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders. Even though Grandma was already broiling her T-bone steak for her, Lupe decided maybe she should have a chicken jerky tender as an appetizer. Not that there was a thing wrong with her appetite, you understand. The jerky tender vanished in nothing flat.

The Purina Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders bag had a picture of a very happy dog that looked a lot like Lupe on it, so right away she knew they were going to be good.

*These chicken jerky tenders are yummy, but don’t stop now! Keep those presents coming!*

Lupe’s 4th and final present from SPHP was a new Tuffy UltFlyer flying disc. It’s very strong and made of cloth, so it doesn’t hurt to catch it. The new flying disc was exactly like one Lupe had received from Erik & Ana a year ago in the PupJoy box they’d ordered for her. Loopster still has and uses her old flying disc practically every day, but it’s looking pretty frazzled by now. The squeaker inside hasn’t worked for months.

Lupe’s new Tuffy UltFlyer flying disc, still in the wrapper.

That was all the birthday loot Loop got from SPHP, but she wasn’t done yet. Grandma also had a present for Lupe, a big bag of Nudges Chicken Jerky Cuts. They also looked delicious!

Loop thought maybe she should sample one of the Nudges Chicken Jerky Cuts, too, just to keep her appetite up. SPHP said even though it was her birthday she shouldn’t open a 2nd bag of treats. She would have to save the Nudges until the 1st bag was gone so they would stay fresh. Besides, she’d already proven there wasn’t a thing wrong with her appetite.

Grandma gave Lupe a great present, too! A big bag of Nudges Chicken Jerky Cuts.

Lupe now had a little time for some Kong squeaker ball fun with Mush and SPHP while Grandma was busy broiling her T-bone steak for her.

Fun times with the new Kong squeaker ball while Lupe’s T-bone steak is getting broiled.

It wasn’t long before Grandma had the T-bone broiled to perfection. It was nice and hot, yet still a bit pink and bloody. The squeaker ball was a blast, but T-bone steak is Lupe’s favorite meal. She was able to tear herself away from the squeaker ball long enough to devour her scrumptious steak. SPHP cut the steak into bite-sized pieces for her.

Birthday dinner is served! T-bone steak is Lupe’s favorite meal.

Cooked to perfection! Hot, yet still pink and a bit bloody. What more could a Dingo want?

*If you’re going to cut this steak up into pieces for me, you’d best get on with it SPHP! I’m perfectly capable of dealing with it all by myself, if you don’t.*

The Purina Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tender had done its job. Lupe’s appetite was great! In fact, she was famished! The entire T-bone steak disappeared as fast as SPHP could cut it up.

Everything disappeared except the actual T-bone, that is. SPHP made sure to leave some meat clinging to it. Lupe would get the bone later on at home.

Cake and ice cream was coming, but a little exercise was in order first. Lupe is a regular visitor at Grandma’s house. She always likes to go the cul-de-sac at the end of the street with SPHP at least once every time she’s here. This time of year, Loop enjoys the pretty Christmas lights while still keeping an eye out for bunnies and deer.

It was another warm evening for December. For the first time SPHP could remember, there wasn’t any snow on Lupe’s birthday.

Lupe stopped by the most beautiful Christmas tree near the end of the cul-de-sac. Every year this same tree is all decorated up with hundreds of colorful lights. Unfortunately SPHP’s photo is underexposed and too dark to do the tree justice.

Loop by another pretty tree that came out better.

When Lupe got back from the cul-de-sac, she went to see Butterfly, Grandma’s 3-legged cat. Butterfly always used to be at Lupe’s birthday parties, but now she likes to stay upstairs all the time. Lupe at least wanted to say hello to Butterfly on her birthday.

Lupe went upstairs to see Butterfly for a few minutes. Butterfly seldom comes downstairs any more, but used to be a regular attendee at Lupe’s birthday parties.

After her visit with Butterfly, it was time for cake and ice cream. The cake was rainbow colors inside. Lupe mainly liked licking the whipped cream icing off the cake. She devoured all the cookies ‘n cream ice cream SPHP would give her.

Full of cake, ice cream and T-bone steak, Loop spent the rest of the evening snoozing peacefully on Grandma’s soft carpet until it was time to go home.

At home, SPHP presented Lupe with her T-bone with meat still clinging to it. Lupe gnawed and gnawed. The T-bone was a very satisfying way to end another great birthday.

Lupe’s 7th birthday party had been a big success! Now she’s going to be 7 for a whole year. Lupe has never been 7 years old before, and isn’t certain what the coming year will bring. 7 is supposed to be a very lucky number, though, so she’s looking forward to many more Dingo Adventures, and hopes you are, too!

Related Links:

Lupe’s 8th Birthday! (12-14-18)

Lupe’s 6th Birthday! (12-14-16)

Lupe’s 5th Birthday! (12-14-15)

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Dingo Tales Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe Adventures.