Birthday Tribute to Tommy, Happy 5th!

[K9soul]

I'm posting this tonight (a day early) since tomorrow I'm going to be busy with a lot.

---

On September 20, 2000 my big cuddlebug and teddy bear, Tommy, was born. When he was still a baby, he was bought, on impulse, by a young man for his mother as a gift. The only problem was, the mother didn't really want him, was married to an abusive alcoholic and had a mentally disturbed child, and before long, Tommy ended up chained up outside, living in the mud with little attention. We learned about him through a neighbor of the family who was friends with my brother-in-law, and together we got him out of that situation, and he came home to his forever family here. Though permanently on the skittish side, he has come a long way. He no longer wets himself every time Daddy leans over to pet him. He no longer huddles in terror every time something is lifted above his head. He's my gentle sweet boy, my shadow, always at my side. He refuses to harm anything, even a cricket that hops across his paw while he watches curiously, even an annoying fly buzzing around his head goes unsnapped at, he merely shakes his head. He is a very precious and special boy, and we love him with all our hearts. I thank God for leading us to this beautiful and gentle soul.

And, I just have to take the opportunity to share a few favorite pics of him:

Sorry for the quality in the first few, they are taken from the TV screen since I don't have the software to hook up my old camcorder to my computer and this was the only way I could get some of his younger pictures to show.

Still with his baby face, holding his leash
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Young%20Tasha%20and%20Tommy/tommy6mface4.jpg

Giant wooly puppy, he was 65 pounds at 6 months old.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Young%20Tasha%20and%20Tommy/tommy6m1.jpg


His puppyish face and oversized ears.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Young%20Tasha%20and%20Tommy/tommyface7m4.jpg

His lanky "ugly duckling" phase :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Young%20Tasha%20and%20Tommy/tommy7m3.jpg

And then, the beauty he became.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%204/tommy2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%205/tommy1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2010/tommyrunning2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2010/tommyeyes1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2012/t2tommyprofile2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2017/tommy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2017/tommy01.jpg

Happy 5th Birthday Tommy, my lumberjack.

[dukedogsmom]

Happy birthday, beautiful boy! You and my dad share birthdays. I hope your day is filled with lots of love and extra special treats. You're a very special PT dog. Have a great day! I love those puppy pics. You were and are a cutie. I love that plume of a tail you have. Very pretty!

[k9krazee]

Happy Birthday Tommy!! What a stunning happy boy you have become!!

[finn's mom]

He's incredibly beautiful! Happy Birthday!!!

[gemini9961]

Happy Birthday handsome Tommy!

[chocolatepuppy]

Happy Birthday Tommy! :D

[manda_moo87]

Happy Birthday handsome Tommy! :D

[luvofallhorses]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!!!!!!

I know your mommy will spoil you rotten tomorrow. I am so glad you came a long way from being skittish and scared into a young yet brave handsome golden boy!! :D Hugs and Kisses to you, Tommy boy!! :)

[Daisy and Delilah]

HAPPPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET TOMMY BOY!!!!!!!!!!!

What a handsome man you are sweetheart!! Thank God for your loving family that saved you and gave you the life you deserve!! Enjoy your day Tommy!!:D

[Kfamr]

Jess, this post has me smiling big! :D

Although he had a rough beginning.. the part where he becomes yours is what makes me smile. It's so wonderful that he's found you and how far he's come since then. His puppy pictures are precious.. especially those big ears. Now he's a beautiful dog and has such personaility, it shines through in every photo. That second most recent one of him has to be my favorite. It's perfect and from what you've told us about him it seems to fit his personaility to a "T" :D


Have the most wonderful birthday, Tommy, I know your mom will spoil you rotten. You're a lucky boy!

[KYS]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

[sammy101]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!:D http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/party/party-smiley-009.gif

[wolfsoul]

Aw Tommy, how lucky you are to have found such a loving home. Happy birthday to you beautiful boy. :)

Btw Jess, I really like your signature.

[Bigyummydog]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY....SWEET TOMMY BOY!!!!!!!!!!!

You grew into the most beautiful dog. Have a great birthday.
You've done such a great job making your family happy.
There's nothing better than that.......Well, unless it's them making you happy. Happy birthday! Sweet thing!!!!!!!

[Logan]

Dear Tommy!!!!! The Goldens at this house, and the Lab girl, too, wish you a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! :D :D :D

[wolf_Q]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!

I'm glad he found such a wonderful home, he couldn't ask for a better one! He grew into a very handsome boy!

Just out of curiosity, how much does he weigh now? 65 lbs at 6 months, wow, Nebo weighs 60 lbs full grown! Tommy is a big beautiful boy!!

[shais_mom]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY BOY!!!

[Ginger's Mom]

I am all misty-eyed. What a lovely, loving post. Tommy you are obviously a very special boy. I am so glad that Jess found you, and that you had the opportunity to have a happy life. Happy Birthday Tommy!!! I am sure that you will have a wonderful birthday with your wonderful forever family. Big hugs to you and your sister, Tommy.

[K9soul]

Thank you everyone so much! Today's the day! I'm going to make him (and Tasha too of course ;)) a recipe for meaty birthday cupcakes later! :D I can't believe my big puppy is 5 already. It just seems unreal to me, I still think of him as a giant puppy :).

Amy, he was 86 pounds at his last vet appointment, but I imagine he's lost a pound or two with all his activity this summer. I know he doesn't really fit the AKC standard, he doesn't have as much of a blocky head and he is taller and more long legged, but I think he's beautiful! His breeder lived out in the boondocks so I suspect she mostly sold her dogs to hunters.

I just wish I didn't have to work so I could spend the whole day doing all his favorite things with him :)

[lv4dogs]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!!!

[petslover]

Happy Birthday Tommy. Thanks to your family for showing you what a loving family is. Awesome way to go handsome!

[trayi52]

Happy Birthday, you handsome boy, Tommy!! May you have many more happy days!!

Willie:)

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by K9soul
but I think he's beautiful!

We don't think he's beautiful - we thinks he's GORGEOUS!!!

Keegan weighed 84 pounds at her last vet visit so she has about 4 more pounds to go I think. But Tommy is quite a bit taller then my short girl!

hugs to Tommy

[lvpets2002]

:D HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TOMMY & HAVE MANY MANY MORE YOU PRETTY BOY

[Lobodeb]

Happy Birthday, sweet Tommy! My, how you've grown into quite the handsome young man!

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Happy Birthday to my favorite PT dog! :D

Jess, those pictures are gorgeous and your tribute to him was so sweet. I know how much you love that boy.

Love ya, Tommy! Hope you have a great day and enjoy those cupcakes! (Daisy says to eat and enjoy one for her, too!) ;)

[Samantha Puppy]

Happy birthday, you handsome boy!!!

[ramanth]

Happy Birthday you beautiful boy! I'm so happy your mommy found you. :D :D

Kia wants to romp in the snow with you. :D

[ParNone]

Happy Birthday Tommy!! You gorgeous boy you!! Everytime I see you with your log, I start singing Monty Python's "I'm a Lumberjack and I don't care" song in my head. :)

Par...

[K9soul]

Well Tommy had a great day today! Thanks again for all the compliments and happy wishes :). I got a few pics of him enjoying his present and his birthday cupcakes. They are made with ground beef, celery, quick oats, tomato paste/water, Worcerstershire sauce, eggs, and frosted with cream cheese! I did a bad job frosting them though because they were a rough texture and I was low on cream cheese.

Here are the birthday cupcakes!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/birthdaycupcakesdone.jpg

Yum!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tommycupcake2.jpg


Of course gotta share with his bossy older sis ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tashacupcake2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tommywithcupcake.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tashawithcupcake.jpg


Then he went out to play with his brand new Jolly Ball!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tommyoutsidewithball.jpg


And after all that, time for a nap ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/k9soul/Tasha%20and%20Tommy/Tommy%20and%20Tasha%2020/tommybed.jpg

Oh, and Tommy says to Kia, "The snow will be flying before ya know it!" :D

[fritz03]

Happy 5th from Fritz and barry.May you have many more Tommy amd keep yout mommy Jessica smiling with all the good things you do.

[luvofallhorses]

I knew your mommy would spoil you rotten today, Tommy and how nice of you to share your pup cakes with your beautiful sister. :D Hugs to you you handsome boy, you! :D

[popcornbird]

Those cupcakes looks sooooooooo yummy! :D Tommy is SUCH a gorgeous boy!!!!!!!!! LOVE his coat! What a wonderful, sweet, loving thread from his mommy. :D

[vinjashira]

happy birthday, Tommy!

[cyber-sibes]

just saw this post--- Happy Birthday Tommy! What a handsome sweet man you are!

[sandragonfly]

sorry to bump this up but had to!

your tribute to tommy is touching.. :o

I see he has grown into a big handsome guy you deserve! crayola is wagging his tail hard. :D I definitely can imagine your tommy, crayola would roll on his back, relax his leggies if a small animal crawls up on him, very woooful & too cute! :)

tommy, I'm so glad your this wonderful mawmaw found you!! I love your shinning coat, fluffy tail and how they breeeeze outside. hope you'll have many, many more happy-sunny days coming!

HOPPY 5TH BURRFDAY DEER TOMMY!! :D

[Jadapit]

Omg, I dont know how i missed this thread! *HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET TOMMY* He is such a beautiful dog. I just love him. Those pupcakes looks so good!:) I'm glad he had a wondeful day with you as his mom how could he not?:D

[anna_66]

I'm so glad now that you have a wonderful home and are truly loved by your family, it sure shows:D

I'm sorry I missed your big day but it looks like you and Tasha had a great time with yummies and even a new ball!
Great pictures, thanks so much for sharing Tommy's birthday with us!

[RobiLee]

Tommy, I'm so sorry I missed your special day. I hope you will forgive me. I know your mommy made it a very special day filled with lots of love. My goodness, I just love all those pictures of you! What a gorgeous dog you are, Tommy. I absolutely love your shiny and silky looking coat and they way you stand so proud. You are such an awesome boy.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, TOMMY!!!

Lots of hugs and tailwags coming from Robin, Katie and Tori:D