Birthday Boy

Today Charlie is 4. He continues to mellow, but still has that puppy excitement about him. Some of this year's developments:

• Charlie's become quite the singer, demanding to harmonize at the end of every human meal. Every. Meal.
• This year Charlie's proved himself a sociable guy -- meeting and playing nicely with several new dogs and even handling himself with composure on walks when faced with aggressive off-leash dogs.
• Wev'e had lots of houseguests and visitors this year, and Charlie's initial reservednesss upon meeting new humans has decreased dramatically.
• Charlie has decided (finally!) that he likes to be brushed. And he's learned the word "brush". "Want to brush?" sends him flying to the appropriate closet.
• Now he allows me to dry even his feet without resorting to teeth. Clipping his nails alone, however, remains an unattainable goal.

What's not changed is that Charlie's still glued to me and I'm crazy about him. Some things are just forever.