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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Happy Birthday Sweet Dion!



Our dear little spaniel, Mr. Dion DiPoochy,
is a Birthday Boy today.  13 years old.
And that's pretty old in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel world.

For most of his life, Dion has acted like a gangly 13-year old boy in love with extreme sports and pizza,
but in the past year he has slowed down.  He doesn't jump onto the furniture anymore.  Won't walk stairs.  Does a lot of sleeping.  And he's a bit stiff getting up after a nap.

Now pretty much his only prank is to grab the end of the toilet paper in the powder room, and drag it through the butler's pantry, into the kitchen, and through the sunroom.

Mr. High Maintenance has become Mr. Easy Keeper.

Although back in November he did steal and eat a bag of marshmallows after Thanksgiving.  
Remember that old TV spot:  "I can't believe I ate the whole thing." 
That's our Dion, below, stuffed with puffy white pillowy goodness.
 Proving he still has a cast iron stomach.  And that age did not bring wisdom.

But back to this Natal day.
I wanted to get a picture of Dion this morning.  Naturally I found him in the kitchen.

 As I fiddled with the camera, he got tired and lay down.

I think he's trying to tell me something.  I might not want to know what it is.

Dion was born in 1999, and I held him when he was just moments old, as his breeder had to attend
to one of his sisters who was making her own abrupt appearance into the world.
He was the most adorable puppy, and grew into a wonderful, funny, endlessly curious, loving, happy boy who gives us so much joy.
I miss the mischievous scamp he was, but I deeply love the sweet older gent he's become.

So to Dion and his sisters Daisy and Nina . . . A Happy, Happy Birthday on this First Day of Spring.
And to Joanne, who makes the Kilbrook family of beautiful and loving Cavaliers possible . . . Thank you.

******************************************
It's Spring,
and while our Winter was almost weirdly mild and easy, I'm still glad to see the sun greening up the
yard and garden, and the warm air bringing out the birds and -- yes -- even the bugs.  All part of the cycle.

I'm getting twitchy now to go out to the beach house, out on Eastern Long Island.
We haven't been out since November, and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms.

I'd like to publish a blog post from the deck, a refreshing adult beverage close to hand.
 

To bring breakfast sandwiches and hot black coffee here, and watch the early bird boaters sail by.
 

And wander the back roads and the main streets through the North Fork villages.
 
A perfectly weathered barn.  Right on Main Street in our town.
It's like living in a Wyeth painting.
Oh well.  We won't go out there this weekend; too many plans at That Old House, and she's the Boss.

Enjoy Spring, if you share our hemisphere!
I think I need some flowers in the house, don't you?
-- Cass

Like barns?
Go visit Bluff Area Daily blog for the
weekly Barn Charm Link Party. Click here!
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32 comments:

  1. Oliver wishes Dion a Happy Birthday and he understands . . .not too many stairs -- no more furniture! And sometimes a bit grumpy! But always bright eyes and a "smile" whenever there is food!

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  2. Hi Cass!
    altho I haven't commented much of late..I've still read all your delightful (funny) posts!!
    Since the computer died, i've had a rough go of it!!
    anyway..
    Happy Birthday sweet Dion!!
    It's your day,, live it up mischievously!!!
    I'm with you Cass..Spring is stirring in my soul..and pollen is really irritating my eyes..
    Think I'll go visit some other springy blogs..
    love and hugs sweet friend!!
    Loui

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  3. Happy Birthday sweet Dion ! Tell your Mommy you need a special treat today to celebrate - but not a bag of marshmallows. :-D

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  4. What a beautiful barn! Happy Birthday to Mr. Dion. I think a birthday cake is in order!

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  5. What a nice tribute to Mr. Dion and his sisters.
    I can see the appeal of small town living and blogging from the deck. Those days are coming.
    2 days ago I was admiring the green shoots soon to be daffodils, I did not even see buds. Today they are in full bloom! Very weird Spring but I will take it.

    Happy Birthday Dion!

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  6. well happy birthday dion...what a cutie pie he is! and i love that barn!

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  7. Happy birthday, Dion! :) No matter how old you get you will always be my sweet wonderful baby boy!

    Love, your Pet Girl in California

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dion says: You are not fooling me. I know it's you, Alida, despite your new alias. Love, Dion

      Delete
  8. I love the oldies. "Happy Birthday sweet Dion" hugs, Deb

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  9. Dear Dion, it's Miss Trouble here wishing you a happy birthday, and special congrats on becoming a teenager! Are you having a bar mitzvah?

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  10. Happy Birthday to Mr. Dion and his sisters!
    He is adorable.

    Regard and best wishes

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  11. happy birthday Dion. great barn. i love to see where people put their american flags. such a great sight. fun. (:

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  12. Happy Birthday to your sweet Dion!! Such great pictures of the barn and American flag! Love old backroads and barns!!
    Miss Bloomers

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  13. Happy birthday to Dion...that is a nice old barn, too.

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  14. Happy Birthday Dion!
    I have an English Cocker that is 17, his name is Chipper.
    He's slowed down, a little, & his hearing is not so great but he is the love of my life and one of the best buddies I've ever had!
    Pups are the best!
    ♥'s
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My cousin Kelly is an English Cocker, and I am pretty much in love with her. Sadly, she is not so much in love with me. Someday, someday . . . .
      Thanks for my birthday wishes!
      Dion DiPoochy, His Royal Handsomeness

      Delete
  15. Happy Birthday Dion. We have a nearly 2 year old female Cavalier named Bella. Aren't Cavaliers the sweetest dogs imaginable? I can't imagine any other breed as sweet, loving, patient, or sensitive. They have the soul of an angel!

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  16. Happy Birthday to Dion! He is adorable! I love the barn too, and that flag is just perfect.

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  17. Happy birthday to Mr. Dion and his siblings.
    Happy spring to You.

    Melinda

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  18. Rory says tillykke med fødselsdagen to Dion! Rory may be Scottish and Dion may be British, but each has a drop of Scandinavian in him!

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  19. Hard to watch our beloved pets grow old, but looks like Dion is aging gracefully. Love those weathered barn boards right in the middle of town!

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  20. Wow, Dion is too cute for word. Happy Birthday old chap.

    Paul

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  21. Awwww, Dion is such a sweet, expressive little old poochie! Pat him on the head for me, please & wish him a very "Happy Birthday".
    We used to have a cat that would trail the tp out like that & down the stairs, too. Funny memory!

    Loved seeing the photos from your family place on Eastern Long Island...it is a beautiful spot & you are blessed to have it.

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  22. Your puppy still has some mischief in him! Ours lived to 14 and we still miss him. Yours is such a blog buddy for you as we see him frequently. Previous post: I always enjoy a look at your beautiful kitchen transformation. I'm sure there's not a day that goes by that you don't appreciate the changes! enjoy the spring (or summer!) weather!

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  23. Happy Birthday to Mr. Dion! What a blessing to have him for so long. Our sweet and beloved Jack Russell Samwise passed away three weeks ago from cancer. He was only 7 years old and we expect to have him at least that much longer. I feel like a brightness has gone out of my life. I hope you have many more days with Dion to snuggle and love on him. Give him a big hug for me! And by the way, the toilet paper trick is so funny! I love that!

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  24. Main Street Barn... I love it, beautiful!

    Thanks for joining =)

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  25. Mr. Dion is one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen! Give him a scratch behind the years for me!

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  26. I love the flag on the barn. But I loved even more seeing your precious Cav. He is absolutely beautiful. I had two who lived to be 11. They were siblings and died within four months of each other. They both had heart problems and my vet was astonished that they held on as long as they did. That was five years ago. I miss them still.

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  27. I followed the link for the barn, which is nice and all, but your Dion just steals the post! He is completely meelt-your-heart gorgeous! Happy Birthday to him!!

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  28. Great barn (and as with another barn I 'visited' this week, the flag is hung correctly)!

    You have a gorgeous house in a beautiful setting! I'm sure people tell you that all the time. :-)

    HB to your 'puppy'.

    Noteworthy Musings - Barn Charm #77

    ReplyDelete

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