The other kid's birthday

Internet, I need your help.

In a few short weeks Truman will be four years old. I know, hard to believe, right? Time flies when you're being tormented by a deranged, rabid chipmunk masquerading as a something vaguely canine.

It seems just yesterday that his wee, squishy body could almost fit into the palm of your hand... Not that you'd actually hold him that way if you wanted to keep all ten digits, but I'm just saying, IT COULD.

(Yeah, I'll pretty much take any excuse to use this picture again. SHAMELESS!)

(Oh, and this one too:)

(FEEL THE BURN OF THE CUTE.)

Truth be told, he's morphed from an adorable, psychotic rodent of a puppy into a pretty awesome, obedient dog. And I honestly never, EVER believed I'd say that. There were times back when Truman was a puppy when I truly thought we'd unknowingly doomed ourselves to a lifetime of being trapped indoors with a miniaturized version of the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil character. In my mind, I couldn't even coherently list all the drugs I was going to have to consume to make it through such a life with my sanity anything close to intact. Perhaps something in a Big Game Tranquilizer, dosed hourly, would suffice?

Lucky for us Truman's psychosis waned as he grew, and now, at almost four, he's near becoming the warm, cuddly throw pillow of a dog I'd always longed for.  And as such, is deserving of many, many good boy treats.

So here's where I could use your help. What would you get for the dog who has everything -- fame, adoring fans, lots of semi-mangled damp squeaky toys? Because I'm at a loss, quite frankly.

He has special affection for items shaped like pink elephants and things that smell like ass, if that helps.

Comments

[kariweber]

Pet insurance. Trust me, you never know when you will use it. I think that it should come standard with the purchase of a puppy. Especially one with such "coffee-table-corner height eyes"
Just look at how often Amalah has used hers!

[Middle-Aged-Woman]

So, I'm guessing you already tried rubbing a little pink elephant on your ass?

[jac]

dude, doggie cake, new toys, lotsa love 'n kisses!
that or a new doggie puppy to be best friends ever with :-) imagine a little bitty mini-me for tru!

[califmom]

I suggest one of these. http://uk.gizmodo.com/2008/03/03/playmates_for_pooches.html

[Anissa@Hope4Peyton]

Run, don't walk!, to The Spohrs Are Multiplying, i think you'll find the thing that every dog wants right there. Hunt over.

BTW, I just read your essay in Sleep is For the Weak. It was perfection.

[Erika Jurney]

'Frosty Paws' dog ice cream is always a big hit!

[sweetney]

Middle-Aged Woman: HOLY CRAP.

[Sils]

I was going to suggest a puppy, but someone beat me to it.

Does he like other dogs? Maybe a day at doggy daycare so he can play with some other pups or a trip to a dog park?

[Backpacking Dad]

Middle Aged Woman stole my suggestion.

Wasn't it obvious? Like that stupid commercial where they say "Everyone likes warm chicken breast. And everyone likes cold salad. So wouldn't you just love a warm chicken breast on a cold salad? Come give us your four dollars." And then I'm all "I like chocolate, and I like steak, but I don't ever want to eat them together.

[baltimoregal]

Come over to Howl (formerly Chow, Baby) in Hampden, 3531 Chestnut Avenue, (410-235-2469).
They have SO many great toys, I cannot even tell you.
They have the rubber toys like this one
http://tiny.cc/NvnX5 and the cutest little plush ones that my puppy DEVOURS WHOLE but that Truman would probably like. Also killer real meat treats.
(Or you can buy the toy at Target, but Howl is way more fun, and local shopping- you know, and then you could get lunch next door at Dangerously Delicious Pies!!!)

[Kerri Anne]

Our pug Iggy turns one! August 31st. We are thinking we'll let him spaz out as much as he wants and buy him a doggy cupcake. Or six.

[Mrs. Schmitty]

He needs a bitch. What else would he need, silly?

[regan]

You get him a week at my house because I want a pug and my husband is not sold on the idea. I think Truman can change his mind.

[Lolagranola]

Right there with you the first psychotic days of puggy ownership. My guy, Genghis, was known as the flying furry sausage with teeth--anything in his way, be it shoelaces, fingers, that sensitive little roll of fat on your back right above your belt, he'd go for and nosh on. He's four now, too, and just awesome.

Anyway, for a special birthday? Food. We let Genghis have some carrots and cheese, his two favorite foods. Then we took him for a ride in the car, because he is a freak and loves it.

Happy Birthday, Truman!

[MM]

We've got some pink poodle dog toys at work, I could run around with one in my pants all day and mail it to ya. I'm just sayin'.

[WonderSpot]

So my 1 year old dog won't always make me wish for a pet rock instead? Can I hold you to it? For her birthday I took her to a dog park and didn't make her stop sniffing dog butts. She seemed happy.

[Neil]

This is a hard one. He's so famous, it is like asking what to get Lassie for her birthday.

[Meg]

Happy 4th Truman! Thanks so much for the hope you have just given me. We have a 3-year-old pug and today I was just sitting at my desk trying not to add up the extensive damage he has done to the home and my shoes...I could have taken an awesome cruise.

[jonniker]

I usually buy Sunny a bag of those Dingo treats with the meat in the middle and call it a day.

[Diane]

Peanutbutter. Anything made with peanutbutter is a dog favorite.

Happy Birthday Truman!!