Happy Birthday, Memphis.

Today Memphis turns 2.

Yes, we are celebrating his birthday. No big party, but he did get a birthday badge, and I’m almost positive he will get some new toys (don’t tell him)!

I’ve shared with you that our family had a rough vacation and that prompted Sam to think about applying for This Able Veteran. We saw first hand how damaging PTSD could be for Sam, and for all of us. Not that it was a wake-up call, but Sam realized that being out in public and functioning with Veterans on a daily basis at work was becoming more difficult by the day.

We had no idea (after he was accepted into the class) that he would be paired with Memphis. I can remember the day they met like it was yesterday. All of the other service dogs were out on their place boards and I remember thinking “I wonder who will be with Sam.”

Then Memphis came over to him.

I wish you all could have witnessed that moment. Joy, love, happiness…fears seemed to go away, and I witnessed a bond form…a bond that cannot be broken. They love one another so much…well, at times it brings tears to my eyes.

Today Memphis will go about his day like any other. Of course, we’ve told him it is his birthday, and that he’s the birthday boy and that later he will get a cupcake (or two, you know, he is 2 now). He got up and got ready for work like he would any other day…vest on, ready to go.

I don’t know if Memphis realizes that he brings such joy to everyone he meets. I don’t know if he realizes how cute he is, how adorable he can be when he sleeps…or how important he is to Sam. I do hope he knows he is loved and that he is one of the best things to happen to Sam.

Happy birthday, sweet Memphis. We sure do love you.