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I'm writing today to celebrate a birthday. Well, it's a belated birthday, but since it's also the birthday of a dog, I'm guessing the dog won't mind. A few days ago, it was Chloe's birthday. She spent her day doing what you see her doing above.

Much like humans, who often spend their birthdays going to work or doing what they normally do every day, she spent her birthday doing pretty much what she normally does every day. This is Chloe's "normal." Notice that she gets to sleep on a giant pillow, on a giant sofa.

Chloe is the object of my family's affections. Her roles in our family are to look cute, and to do adorable things. She's spoiled rotten, to the core; she knows nothing of pain or unhappiness...

Yet, she is our most valuable family member.

She curls up with you when you are feeling sad or sick.
She lies under the dinner table while the family eats.
She 'protects' us by barking wildly at squirrels and mailmen.
She greets us by offering a toy or stuffed animal, every time.
She became the center of a family grieving the loss of their last dog; and of a family that was parting ways with kids going to college. She is our common touchstone, a dependable focus, greeting us as always when we finally come home.

Chloe is 4 years old. Happy birthday, Chloe!