Three Years

It's been three years this month since we got Ray. Three. YEARS.
So, like my friend, Niki, who has been reading the old blogs and leaving me comments on them, I've been doing the same thing. She leaves a comment, I go back and read the blog to see what the heck she's commenting on.
Well, I came across this blog from Ray's three month anniversary and decided an update was a good way to celebrate his three years with us.  So here we go, a list of important things we've learned in the last THREE years (I still can't get over it. THREE!!!!):

Ray 

• These people don't seem to be going anywhere so I guess I'd better start to mind.
• Cat food is still way more tasty than dog food. I think it's totally wasted on cats.
• Cats aren't that bad but they taste kinda funny when you lick one.
• Dog toys are fun and they last a long time - until Murphy comes over. Then they're even more fun but they don't last very long.
• Daycare is ok but playdates are more fun and I get to sleep on the couch, or the bed, or on dad's chair when I'm done.
• There is nothing I can't do - unless someone tells me no.
• When someone yells "CAREFUL" it's a good idea to listen.
• Being an international superstar is nice because people give you lots of belly-rubs and free food.
• Sometimes, when you're walking along minding your own business, the ground disappears out from under you.

Jean

• There is no way to open a door,  put on a pair of shoes, jingle car keys, or touch a leash (even by accident) without a dog showing up to see if he can go too.
• Just when you think you can trust Ray around yarn or knitting needles, you can't.
• Two years, six months is about how long it takes before cats become used to a blind dog in the house. If one of the cats is Hugo, it takes longer.
• Never turn your back on a blind dog when he's in a frisky mood (still a very important lesson).
• Meeting people is ridiculously easy with Ray around (still true).
• A dog door is the best invention since the cat door.
• You can save years of time if you have a mud-colored kitchen floor and dirt-colored carpet.
• Having a slide-out-thingy for kitchen trash is ESSENTIAL and worth every minute of a renovation. 
• Blogs and dogs (and a blog about a dog) make you friends in unexpected places.
• Rawhide bones make gardens grow better (or maybe it's the constant aeration the garden gets from all the hole-digging).
• Sometimes, when you're walking along minding your own business, the ground disappears out from under you.

Moonie

• Being licked by a dog is ooogie but it doesn't really hurt.
• Dogs are strange but also strangely fascinating.
• You can run right through a dog's legs and up the stairs without him even coming close to catching you.

Hugo

• I can't make this dog go away, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
• Dogs are smelly annoyances that shouldn't be allowed in the house, never mind allowed into my room to eat my food.
• It's a good idea to eat all of the food in the room as fast as it's put in the dishes so that the dog can't have any of it.

Gregg

• Dogs do indeed calm down after a few years.
• Nietzsche was right - what doesn't kill you (dog-wise) does make you stronger.
• A blind dog can become a minor celebrity, if he has a good press agent.
• Walking a dog gives you the opportunity to enjoy new and different places.
• Some cats (Moonie) can't resist smelling dog feet for just a few seconds; it's like bad Limburger.