Freedom of expression

So I wandered into my sunny kitchen this morning.

I think I had been tending to laundry -- if not that, then trust me, I had been engaged in an activity equally scintillating and fraught with meaning -- when what should catch my immediate attention but the inimitable Javier, Chihuahua of fortune.

Javier turned ninety-eight this week, on Sunday, Bastille Day. I mean, he turned fourteen. Same thing.

Which means that by October, as the leaves outside are turning bright colors, Javier will be rounding the bend to one hundred. 

To commemorate our diminutive pet's appearance on this earth, last weekend TG, Erica, and I consumed an entire Italian Cream Cake from Kroger. Not in one sitting.

And yes, the birthday boy got bites.

We keep it cool in our house so naturally, as a near-centenarian, Javier is prone to hog patches of sun.

Although when we put him outside, where it's nothing but one giant heating pad costume worn in a sloppy-humid sauna, after spending all of twenty-six seconds checking his messages, Javier scratches frantically to get back into the refrigeration.

Go figure.

Anyway this morning when I entered the kitchen, I noticed that Javier had planted his body exactly in the middle of the space between the runners of an antique school desk that sits in a light-drenched spot by a door we don't use.

When he saw me, Javier did not get up but his tail began wagging so violently, his entire hiney was waving at that door. Without leaving the floor, but still.

We believe Javier is for the most part blind, but once in awhile he confuses us by making it obvious that he sees us. Maybe like me, his vision is better in strong light.

At any rate I think he understood me when I told him I hoped he'd stay put while I went in the next room to fetch my camera.

Because when I got back, he was still there and for all the world I believe he began striking poses.

Javier employs a range of facial expressions as plentiful and widely-varied as his impressive vocabulary.

For example he is exceptionally adept at conveying -- with only a look -- nonchalance, innocence, trepidation, ennui, gormlessness, beseechment, anxiety, disdain, watchfulness, somnolence, and an attitude of meditation -- or any combination of all of the above, simultaneously.

In addition he comprehends big, important words such as crate, walk, outside, bed, food, treat, stay, stopitrightnow, no, and amnesty.

If he makes it until July 14, 2014, Javier will be fifteen or one hundred-five. Either way: old, for a dog.

But I have seen no canine version of the Grim Reaper stalking Javier, nor does Javier have a doggy old-folks home on speed dial.

Even with blighted vision, sketchy hearing, missing teeth, a thoroughly disgusting penchant for near-constant licking, and a string occasionally caught in one claw, Javier's pretty spry. He's holding his own.

Happy Birthday, Javier. And many more, little buddy.

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Happy Thursday

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Comments

[Mari]

Happy Birthday Javier! I'm glad you are doing so well at such an old age. You've still got your looks too!

[irene]

Happy Birthday, Javier, love your desk.

[Debbie]

He is photogenic. He may see images, he probably hears you, smells you too.

Nice pictures. 15 is getting up there for dogs, especially smaller dogs I believe. We had a Cocker Spaniel that was 14 when we had to have him put to sleep. So sad.

Celebrate your sweet puppy (he will always be a puppy in your mind I'm sure, as our Penny is to us).

Glad you gave him some cake too.

Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com

[Donna (Texas)]

I'm Loving the one where he's grinning...Hahaaaa...to precious!
I jumped up from the computer and went to ask Larry if he remembered why all the licking...(Our old Rusty did the same thing). Whatever we did, it worked and Rusty was much relieved...
I'll keep trying to remember...
Happy Birthday to Javier!!
hughugs

[Vicki]

Happy Birthday Javier!! You are adorable!