How to have a bang up doggie Birthday Party. Or, Zeke turns 4!

On June 14, 2009, Zeke turned 4! Hard to believe how our sweet little pup has grown up. I've always said fourth birthday's are a good time to do something you've never done before. Like say, go on a bike ride which from Zeke's perspective was more like going on a run while attached to a bloody leash as his parents were riding their bikes. It was a big moment and he was a little nervous at first. As I've mentioned before, we've training Zeke to function in the world with hand and voice commands without a leash. It must have seemed like I was trying to torture him. But then we got the hang of it and in typical Zeke fashion, all was well in the world. We headed to the river OF COURSE! When we got off the main road we took Zeke off of the leash where he discovered the joy of racing his parents on their bikes. On the way to the river, Zeke won. On the way home from the river, parents won.

Any decent fourth Birthday party includes water and ball time. It's a must.

It's all about the ball. Zeke doesn't even bother to shake off. He is so confident that he is going back into the river to chase the ball, shaking would simply be a waste of resources.

After he ran home with the bikes, it was water time again. He did his bird bath imitation wherein he ducks his nose under the water and tosses it up over his head. I didn't catch it on film. Sorry. Then he had some canned pumpkin, cause it rocks. That's how you can tell we are related - I adore anything pumpkin and so does Zeke.

To top the day off, Zeke cuddled with laid on his favorite kitty cat, Cecil. Which made Cecil purr. Loudly.

I do believe he had a great day! I swear we did not "stage" these photos.