Day of Service, Remembrance, and Friendship

This past Sunday marked the 10 year anniversary of the events that shook the United States and the world.  Momma cannot even watch any footage of that day without being completely overcome with grief so when she suggested we have a party on this special day I was shocked.  A party?  We aren't going to celebrate that day, are we?  Momma finally explained to me that the party was more of a coming together with family and friends.  A celebration to remember those that lost their lives and to never forget that the price of freedom cannot be taken lightly.  And of course the kickoff to the NFL season is always a good reason to throw a party!

As Momma made out her guest list I wondered who I would invite.  Hmmmm.  Who will come to the party to play with me?  And then it hit me.  One of our friends regularly comes to Chicago to visit a very special doctor and this was the weekend of her visit.  I invited her and her peeps and they said yes.

It's Payton in the fur!  Even though we've only been friends for a few months it seems like we have known each other forever.  I was so excited to spend the whole day with Payton.

I showed Payton all the good pee spots in my backyard.  Here we are just chilling.  We did a lot of that on Sunday.

Payton is definitely a daddy's girl.  Wait.  Maybe she's a mommy's girl.  I think she just might be both!

Payton has an insatiable appetite just like me.  Who knew!  We kept everyone on their toes with our, um, not begging behavior.  Daddy gave us some carrots but we managed to get some real food from some of the other guests.

We even ate some strawberries out of my garden.  Payton loves strawberries as much as I do.  There aren't any pictures of us eating the strawberries because we are too quick for the camera.

Of course my favorite guncle Tony was at the party.  He scooped me up and held me like a baby, giving me lots and lots of kisses.  I think maybe one day he is going to take me home with him.

Payton and I split our time between the house and the backyard.  It was surprisingly warm so we didn't want to overheat.  Daddy put a tv on the patio so everyone could watch the Bears outside.  

Payton and I had on our football jerseys but someone didn't take any pictures of us wearing them.  Thanks, Momma!  My jersey is a tad bit too tight so I tried to take it off as soon as I could.  Payton's jersey is looser but that didn't stop her from wanting hers off.  We wore our jerseys until halftime and then we were naked the rest of the day.

After the Bears beat the Falcons we had a Baggo tournament.  Payton and I didn't get to play but that didn't stop us from trying.

I really thought Payton was going to pick up the bean bag and put it in the hole but she was more interested in snatching sausages out of people's hands.  Oops!

On this day of service Momma said we needed to do something for someone.  In past years Momma has taken food to the local food pantry but this year she wanted to do something different.  

For every guest that attended our party, Momma and Daddy are donating $10 to Soldier's Best Friend, a non-profit that places service dogs or therapeutic companion dogs with US military veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  They take dogs from local shelters so this organization is helping with the dog overpopulation problem while caring for those who have served our country.

On the solemn 10th anniversary of the worst day in US history, we spent time reflecting on the events of that day.  We will never forget what happened on 9/11 but we will spend each September 11 doing something for someone in need.  This day of service reminds us how much we have to give to those who need it the most. God Bless America!