Our oldest child, that big yellow lab in the picture below, turned 13 years old today, so we just had to celebrate! That's 91 in dog years. Although he is showing his age physically, as he struggles to lift himself up off the floor or walk himself up the steps, mentally, he's still that 6 week old puppy Kevin and I bought 13 years ago. Back then, he was a pretty big purchase... $250. He has been worth every penny!
Just look at that well mannered dog, sitting so patiently as we sing "Happy Birthday" to him and blow out his candles. Oh, wait... that's part of a chicken sandwich in Kevin's hand that Sampson has his eyes and teeth fixated upon.
He was with us for 5 years before Meghan was born. That's five whole years as an only child. We were worried about how he would take it... how he would feel about this new little person who quickly became the center of our world. When we brought Meghan home from the hospital, Sampson slept right outside her doorway. The moment she whimpered, his head would pop up and his eyes would ask, "Aren't you going to take care of her???" When she began sleeping in a bed, he slept in the bed with her. While taking the two of them on walks, he would not move further than five feet from the stroller. From the minute he met her, she was his best friend.
We love you, Sampson! Happy Birthday, Ol' Man! 
