Looking forward with a faithful friend

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice

Tyler came home this weekend to celebrate his 20th birthday..... no longer a teen - now truly a young man. just any birthday card would not do. I struggled all week trying to come up with what would be just the right image to use, just the right thing to say. and kept putting off making the card because nothing seemed to be exactly 'it'. and I watched him this weekend, sitting on the couch with Mocha, one of our labs. She seems so much older than her sister from the same litter, Latte. (yes, I named them! and I get teased about it all the time!) I think it is because she was hit by a car when she was just a young pup. I have heard that really ages dogs. Tyler is usually more of a cat person, but I watched him with Mocha, giving her extra attention, cuddling with her on the couch, checking to see where she was at various times, and then I knew how to make his card.

I chose this beautiful, heart-string tugging image from Tammy at A Day For Daisies. this is one of the very first images I bought from her. it reminds me so much of all of the guys with our dogs. but this weekend it reminded me of Tyler with Mocha, and then with Riley, another lab of ours when she was older, too. He was so gentle with her as well then. it brought back memories.

I kept the card simple, using some Basic Grey Max & Whiskers papers, some fun SU! punches, a few buttons, and twine. nothing fancy. but the message was in the image and on the inside. it read, "as you look forward to the future, remember we will always be here for you. Happy Birthday!'

so give your pets a big hug today. and your children, too! awww, go ahead and give all of your loved ones big fat juicy kisses and hugs and everything else you can think of! they deserve it and so do you! :)

• City Crafter - One for the Boys