Junebug's Birthday

"J" is for Junebug - the cute Chinese Crested on the left, who had her first birthday on the first of this month. Celebrations and cupcakes are the norm in this here parts, so the day could not go unnoticed. Yeah! Just the right amount of fun to get this summer season started.

Chocolate cupcackes with dark cocoa cream cheese frosting, made by yours truly to help get the party started. Sue Rider, Dog Mom, brought the first rhubarb of the year baked in a lovely crumble. You soooo wish you had been there.

Birthday dogs get special treatment - like hugs from dear Neva, all cheeks and smiles.

Dog Mom herself, Sue displays the special "J" treats of the day. More happy memories to add to the year.

Thanks to Mike and Johnny, of Liberty Cafe on South Third, for letting us party hearty.

A man and his dog

When a door closes, a window opens somewhere. Last year, on the hottest day our community has known, Phil Johnson lost his best buddy - his dog. Me Oh My had been given to him some years before, and was Phil's constant companion. The heat and strife ended up putting Phil in doctor's care as well.

But, as you might remember from this blog posting, the community rallied and got a sweet bundle of white fur to act as a new lifeline and friend for Phil. Lucky Johnson 13 is a breed of dog known as a "Coton Du Tulear". He was a rescue dog and is an example of true happiness and joy. Lucky brings a smile to anyone's face - he is just happy to see you everyday. He brought Phil even closer to a local, downtown community that didn't know him enough, and would have been heartily sad if they hadn't been given the chance.

Phil and Lucky became instant friends, and the bond has just grown. Phil has medical conditions that necessitate he use a motorized wheelchair more often than not, and Lucky loves a good ride. Having a dog brings Phil outside, helps with the exercise that he can do and brings him into the fold of the friends that frequent the area of South Third Street.

Many of you had asked for a follow-up story on Phil and Lucky from this posting last year. Here is your answer - neither of them could have gotten any luckier. Well matched, they are a team that spreads camaraderie and smiles. Together, they make the days worth living. As a team, they have become special friends to many.

These are the kind of stories that you want to hear about.

Dog Day Afternoon

The Dining Dog Cafe & Bakery in Edmonds offers canine lovers yet another way to party with their best friends - doggy style. This restaurant is completely for the dogs, offering a full course meal served on gold charger plates and special plush, low dog couches with a few regular chairs thrown in for the human species as well. It is a place to have a meeting or gathering for like minded animal lovers, or just a place to take your furry side kick for a taste treat.

Located in Firdale Village, this little cafe has been featured on the animal channel and I hear, soon to be a focus on a food network show. A meeting of small dog owners brought me and my friend, Sue Rider, with her furry crew to this little known destination. Having read about it a couple of times in the local rag, I was curious to see how the other half would be treated ala dining dog.

With a full scale repast comprised of starters (sliced hot dogs with cheese and another course of pate topped biscuits), a cocktail of yogurt and pumpkin, an entree of freshly cooked chicken breast with vegetables and a desert that resembled my other favorite food, cupcakes, I was left wishing that I was dining alongside my companions as well.

Dorothy Moore, owner, loves to cater to her clientele and the whole atmosphere is loving and comfortable. Every patron gets a pet and a bit of lavishing from Dorothy upon arrival.

These taste treats signal the end of the meal and are made on the premises. If you, as the human, want to eat as well, feel free to bring along your own snacks. You will wish that you did - the whole experience makes see how dogs so easily come to begging at the side of the table.

The Dining Dog
Cafe & Bakery
9635 Firdale Ave. Edmonds
425.314.4612
www.diningdog.com

Bicycle built for three

Seen today - Martin, with his two furry front riders Mozart (he's the artistic one) and Adorabella making the rounds in Renton.