Happy Birthday To My Baby

Until this past weekend, I had no idea that there was still some confusion as to the derivative of my moniker, Amstaff Mom. Some, which will remain nameless, actually thought that maybe I had a child named Amstaff. Until they got to my house and realized that no, I don't have a child, and that I would never, ever, curse them with the name "Amstaff". The reason I am the "Amstaff Mom" is because I am a mom to an Amstaff. Otherwise known as the American Staffordshire Terrier. So no, I don't have a child. But yes, I do have a baby, and she was born 6 years ago TODAY, in Bryan/College Station, Texas. I'm not sure what she weighed, but she was ours before she was even born. We were on the list for the next red Amstaff that was to be born out of two litters. We were sent pictures (which I forgot to scan - RATS!) of her the day she was born, and she looked like a little red rat. But since then, she has grown up, and is now 55 pounds of love and muscle all rolled in to one sweet dog.

So, here's my tribute to my pooch. Happy Birthday Abby Gail!!!!


We picked her up in November of 1999, 3 months after we were married. She is on the left. Oh my goodness, she was the cutest little pup.
Just look at those little front paws on the gate.
And the wrinkles in her forehead. No, I'm not partial at all!









I don't know why I wore my glasses that morning, but I think it was we got such an early start on our drive to Hamilton, TX, where we picked her up. There was a judge there that decided which pups were "show" quality and which were "pet" quality. We had her picked out and were hoping to goodness that she would be"pet" quality, because otherwise she would be have been over twice as much. She is priceless though. So this is her first picture at her new home. And her first kiss. She loves kisses now. She really does!



She still uses this same dog bowl. Poor Eddo stepped it in twice I think! She definitely can't put both paws in it anymore.









We wanted her to have floppy ears instead of cropping them. Normally they would floppy on the side. Then they started curving in. Then one day, one of them stood straight up. Then, a few weeks later, the other one went up. They were never floppy again after that.

She used to fit in the kitchen sink for her baths. Now, not so much. No puppy shampoo for her, note the Neutrogena bottle in the background.



As you can see, over the years, she's been subjected to extreme torture.



















She loved her play time with her best friend. Their tongues are out because they had just finished playing chase out in the front yard.











It looks like there is a backdrop behind her, but this was taken in my parents' backyard.


















These photos were taken several years ago, so she's filled out a little more since then.




















A face only a mother could love.