Today was Ali’s birthday. It was also the day that we would bring in Brownie, our favorite beach dog, to get spayed. That might not seem like a nice birthday gift, but for an animal lover like Ali it was perfect.
We had an appointment at nine, but she is a beach dog, and there’s no telling when she’ll be around. She shows up most mornings for breakfast, but you never know. So this morning I was up at the common room when Brownie suddenly came bounding around the corner. I pet her and got her all excited and then ran her over to the bus where we quickly tied a rope around her neck. Right on time.
The four of us walked her across town, dropped her off, and then walked back a little glum. We all knew getting her fixed would improve her life’s prospect dramatically, but it still felt a little crappy to kidnap her and drop her off to have surgery. But hey, we cheered ourselves, and continued on with our day.
I took the kids to the beach for a few hours while Ali celebrated her birthday by cleaning and organizing the bus. Oh, and she showered and had a beer. So, you can see, it was pretty much a party around here all day long.
When we got back Ali started to crack. “I don’t know, Pat, I don’t think I can just leave her here.”
“Well, we can’t keep her. And I know what’ll happen if we try to “foster” her,” I said.
“I know. We’ve got time before we’re leaving. We’ll figure something out for her.”
Ali made cupcakes, at which point it becomes perfectly clear that the only reason we do any sort of birthday celebration at all is for the kids. The kids gave her their gift that they paid for with their own money. A loosely-based fact for which they are very proud.
And then that evening we got an e-mail with the best birthday present, even though it made both Ali and Ouest cry a little bit:
Hola Alison
Brownie was already spayed. She had a green tattoo on her belly 🙂
AND……..she got adopted!
Thanks so much for taking her in today. Some things are just meant to be!
The kids were a little upset at the idea that Brownie wouldn’t be running up to them each morning at breakfast any more, but it wasn’t too difficult to explain to them the wonderful gift that adoption is, and how great her life would be now.
And now I can breathe a little easier, too.
14 Comments on “Christmas Birthday”
Look at the faces of those kids as their mother opens up the gift that they chose for her…so precious….they are totally happy and very excited. Pat, I bet you looked just as happy when you found out about the dog being adopted!
A beautiful family. Merry Christmas! Happy birthday!
You Guys…..what a lovely post, happy birthday Ali, you look like your 18. And thank you guys for raising your kids right
Way to go Pat. You divulged Ali’s age. I saw her give you “the look”.
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to The Bums! You guys are awesome.
Getting excited about your next move but almost don’t want to know about it so itt will be a surprise as you reveal bits and pieces. We’ve learned that it’s in about a month, and it involves a whole new continent. I’m assuming South, but you guys are the Bums, so who knows??
Have fun! We’ll think of you as Santa comes surfing in on his canoe today. Chris and Byron say hi.
Mele Kalikimaka!
“Oh, and she showered and had a beer.” It’s the little things, isn’t it? Happy Birthday, Ali. And don’t worry about Pat divulging your age. Like the guy on Facebook said, “we should refer to age as ‘levels’.” You’ve reached the 42nd Level. Nice going but you still have a long ways to go.
Steve & Lulu
obviously, there is no limit to the thoughtful and creative things you guys do as a family………getting a BEACH DOG spayed, and then adopted!…..not only was it a thoughtful and thought-provoking thing to do, it is (yet another) great life lesson for your children…you guys rock! ……happy birthday to ali and merry christmas,happy new year to all of you……stay well, safe travels…
Saying your age was great…because it lets the world know you all are still living the nomadic life you want at an age when most folks are settled into the doldrums of routine. I think that is AWESOME! A great birthday by my standards as well… spay a pup… family… cupcakes… and life nomadic… what more can you want. Happy belated birthday.
Yay for Brownie the beach dog! Happy birthday and Merry Christmas, Ali, you are an exceptional human 🙂
Congrats Brownie on your getting adopted, you’ll have the same yard outside every day. Lucky dog, Lucky dog!
Happy Birthday Ali, Happy New Year to all
Many Mexican beach/street dogs actually have a home that they go to every night. It is just sort of the Mexican way. I have heard stories of well meaning Gringos “adopting” a street dog, having it groomed and neutered only to find out that it really did belong to someone, and had a home. Tattooed and already spayed? Me things she may have had a home already. Perhaps the vet knew the actual owner, and that is who “adopted” her. Just maybe.
That story is what us gringos tell ourselves so we don’t have to feel guilty about the dogs on the beach. The truth is, as told to us by the owner of the shelter when we relayed our misgivings that maybe Brownie was happy the way things were, is that the beach dogs here have a life expectancy of four years. They are beaten routinely, are constantly in pain from injuries and infections they sustain in fights with other dogs, and are run over by cars daily. She also had a dog brought in a couple of days earlier who had just had a pan of hot oil thrown on her. We didn’t just show up for a one week vacation and bring this dog in. She has been with us daily for six weeks, coming to our bus day and night, as well as seeing her on the beach every single day running around with nobody in particular. If this dog had a home it wasn’t a good one.
Of all the Bumfuzzle adventures I think this is the most beautiful. Both the pictures and the story were heartwarming and hopeful.
Happy (belated) Birthday Ali! A beer and a shower and a few hours all by yourself in your home sounds like a pretty fantastic birthday gift, mama! 🙂