1) Holy smokes!

I've been so busy lately that I almost forgot that today is Dexter's 8th birthday!!!

I owe it to the best dog I've ever (and it's not even close) to commemorate him.
2) We learned that a young family in the area had Golden puppies.

We were the first to contact them & they said we had the pick of the litter.

We went to visit the 3 week old puppies and made our choice.

When we returned three weeks later, they let them all out to run.

All...
3) ...of the pups except Dexter ran out and started playing and rolling around on the ground, except Dexter.

He walked out of the cage, walked toward me, then stop and stared.

I knew instantly that we would forever have an unbreakable bond.
4) Here's Dexter laughing when he was about 18 months old...
5) Even as a youngster, Dexter always felt protective over my family and I.
6) Here's Dexter at about 2 years old...
7) Dexter is about 3 or 4 yrs old here...
8) This is the day we were all done with the NFL...
9) This is our "rut tha ruck" game, round 1...

(sound on) https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1011783661652357120?s=19
10) "rut tha ruck" round 2... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1059989169269702656?s=19
11) Ahh yes, who could ever forget the early days of Dexter trying to teach humans how to have more balls.
12) Advanced human ball training...
13) Vacation pool time!
14) Chinavirus pool time...
15) Dexter sports:

Beer boxing... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1100802903042752512?s=19
16) More Dexter sports... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1085344719847059457?s=19
17) Just chillin'
18) Lake effects... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1038975446510002176?s=19
19) That time Dexter replied to a suspended conservative account... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1149716375474016256?s=19
20) Dexter has been trying to wake up his liberal cousin from the city, but it's a struggle... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1155525894120693760?s=09
21) We were all having such a great time that night, right up until Dexter busted out his Obama impersonation! https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1149704389612806145?s=19
22) ...I blame the alchohol!
23) Here's Dexter all set for the Trump rally...
24) While Dexter may be a Golden, he sometimes identifies as a Lion.

I caught the transition on camera midway through.
25) Lion transformation complete...

(Special thanks to President Trump for providing Dexter's motivation.)
26) 4 balls always makes for a big smile!
27) After long evenings of playing ball, I sometimes have to tell Dexter to take it easy.

...and this is what I get
28) That time when we all got Chinavirus for Christmas... https://twitter.com/RichardStiller4/status/1209867341414068225?s=19
29) Goof-ball
30) Somebody had way too much fun!
31)
32)
33) I hope Dexter has added a little joy to your evening.

Good night folks!
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