The Birthday Girl!

It's our Willow baby's birthday today! We are so lucky to have her in our lives. She is the most caring, laid back, EASY pet I've ever had (considering my last pet was a gold fish, that says a lot - haha). We love her so much! Look at how cute this face is (pic courtesy of Dulce Photography):

Willow has now been a part of our family for a little over a year and a half. She makes us laugh daily and has just the sweetest personality ever. She has definitely taken on the role of our baby and I don't think she minds one bit. Some things we love about her are...

*the way she tries to contain her excitement when any member of Joey's family or Spencer and Leah come over (Spencer is totally her best friend - it's so cute) - when she can't hold it in anymore her butt wiggles all over the place - it's too funny
*the way she runs to Joey when she's ready for a pet and then turns around and plops her booty on the ground to get a back rub - she knows what's up
*in the morning when I'm still sleeping (or trying to at least) she will quietly get thisclose to my face to wake me up, but I will tease her and keep my eyes closed so she goes and lays down again for five minutes, then gets up again to try and get me out of bed...when she has had enough, she grunts and shakes until I get up
*her "gremlin face" - the face we get when she's laying at the top of the stairs looking down at us
*whenever we vacuum, Willow loves the way the fibers in the carpet stick up and she could scratch her back all day long (she also pig snorts when she's rolling around, it's kinda hilarious)
*she is such a sun baby and will lay in the sun whenever and wherever she can - our patio (she will cry until we open the door for her if she can see sun outside), my office window, Joey's parents house...etc.

*her "Willow hugs" - when she is sitting and facing you if you you slap your legs twice she will prop herself up onto her back legs and reach her arms out for a hug - seriously the cutest thing ever (and sometimes you will get some kisses as well)
*she LOVES getting her teeth brushed - we have to tag team her because she would lick all the toothpaste off the brush before we ever got to scrub her ivories otherwise so Joey holds her mouth open and I brush
*the way she STILL doesn't get how to play catch - I think it will forever be a work in progress
*how she lights up when Joey gets home from work - again, butt wiggles all around :)
*her "mutant arm" - we have found her lately laying with one arm totally tweaked back
*how she fluffs her bed to get comfy
*her "bark" - she doesn't bark at all except for a rare occasion (like when the UPS guy comes to the door) and her bark is so timid - I think she sometimes spooks herself
*her various smiles a.k.a. the "Elvis lip" (self explanatory) and "creepy smile" (fang smile)

Anyways, I could go on and on, but I think I've already passed the point of dog obsessed, so I will cease here.

Happy birthday again Willow girl!