Always In Our Hearts

Monday, March 17, 2008

GooberVersary: 1 Year Later

One year ago today the Republic of GooberStan was established when my hooman girl and I met for the first time. We decided on a mutual adoption ~ I needed a home and my girl needed a good goober in her life. Plus, once she saw this kind of gooberocity, she couldn't resist. Could you?




Would you like to take a peek at the little goober I was BEFORE my girl met me?



Get closer.



A little closer...





Ok. Here are a few of my puppy photos from my first home (which my first family made available to my girl).



That last puppy photo pretty much sums up my feelings about life with my first sister. She was an Airedale who was about 5 years older than I am, and she was NOT happy when I came into the house. In fact, she dogged me, literally, everyday of my life and tried to beat me up. I took it all in stride until I was bigger than she was. When my family realized I was no longer going to put up with it, they decided to put me up for adoption (after much agonizing). Their loss was my girl's gain.






This is me, GooberStan, as my girl first saw me. (The groomer for Airedale Rescue had a personal emergency come up right after she groomed my head, and couldn't finish my Airecut. So, I looked like I was wearing a thick turtle neck sweater.) We had our historic first meeting in the parking lot of a Marriott Hotel in Galesburg, Illinois when I was still a wee pup of 11 months.


My original name is not Stanley. I had a different name that didn't really fit my personality, and my girl knew that she would have to discover my true name. She came to get me armed with a list of old fart names to try out on me, but was partial to Stanley after hearing my bio. She thought that underneath all that fur beat the heart of a Stanley, and within the first minute of meeting me knew it was true.







As soon as I got home, I ran into this guy, Merv. My girl told me that I not only belonged to her, but that I belonged to him too. (She said she promised Merv he could have a pet dog once he got settled into the house).





Little did I know then just how much trouble we'd get into together. He's also a very talented artist & photographer. Here's a few of his fave shots he took of me.









A lot has happened in the last year. I've grown very protective of all of my balls, after losing 2 of which I had been particularly fond.





I found love (Asta, Ruby, and Suki, my lovepups, have been very patient with me) and made a ton of new friends on & offline...





ZZ




Pink Flamingo




and Hercules.






I did a LOT of ROACHIN'...






and WRASSLIN'!








I learned about loss when friends I love like Dovah Doo and Oscar went to the Rainbow Bridge. (Miss you guys!)





I even learned to swim.





But, my biggest challenge by far, was becoming a big brother to my sissy, Stella. (You see, I had never seen what a good older sibling should be like, and I wanted to be the best big brother I could be.) It's hard to imagine life in GooberStan without her.




This goober has MANY faces, and here are just 2 of mine from this morning as my Gooberversary began!







Let the celebration BEGIN!!!!



Running like the wind and loving life in GooberStan,
Stanley



80 comments:

The Cat Realm said...

Oh my - we are first!!!!!
Happy blogoversary! Happy Gotcha day, Stanley!!!! The surprise party for you in Ireland is in full swing!!! We hope you like it!
You can also pick up a first blogoversay award from The Cat Realm in the sidebare here:
http://idareyouall.blogspot.com/
We hope you have a wonderful day!!!!

Mojo, Digger and family said...

Stan, you are such a star! We've been laughing our way through this post. Can't work out which is funnier, the 'missing balls' or the pic of you wearing your turtleneck sweater. Never had you down as the Val Doonican of Airedales.

See now! I'm talking about Val Doonican! See the effect you have on me.

Happy Gooberversary to you, 'cos it's a happy Gooberversary to us that we know you.

big hugs from your sometimes absent but always admiring Airegirl.

xxx
Mojo

Gus said...

happy gotcha day stanley! We are so glad you found your human and established the fiefdom of Gooberstan. Long may you reign! (note the spelling please, this does not mean you have to end the drought by personally peeing on Gooberstan!)

kisses
gussie

Patience-please said...

Happiest of Gooberversaries to you!!! What a lucky human you have and wht a great life you have! So much to celebrate!
and even St. Pat's day too!!!

happy wags from the whippets

Faya said...

I am so happy for you Stanley ! All those good things that happend to you....Have a nice day.
Kisses, Faya

Harry said...

A very, very happy adoption day to you Stanley! Same as ma says to me, our old families losses are our new ones gain.

I loved your puppy photos. What a great little Airedale mohawk you had.

Toodle pip
Harry x

Duke said...

Happy Gotcha day, Stanley! You have one heck of a story, buddy! We're so glad we got to know you and we're thrilled to call you "friend"! We love you lots and lots!

Happy St. Patrick's day!
Maggie and Mitch

Princess Patches said...

Happy Gooberversary, Stanley! We are sooooo glad you rescued your girl. What would she do without you giving her the "look" to make her finish her thesis? We hope you get lots of extra treats today!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy & Penny

PB 'n J said...

Happy Gotchaverasry Stanley! I found you through Asta - I'm an Airedale living with three kitties and sometimes they let me blog too! Come visit some time!

Hope you have a super day!
George

Petra said...

Running like the wind and loving life --- what a great description of you, Stanley! (and an awesome picture, too!) Thanks for sharing the story and happy, happy, happy GooberVersary #1!

Kyanite said...

A Very HAPPY Adoption Bark Anniversary Stanley!

I just adored your photo history.
You're one fine King of Goberstan.

I'm sorry I haven't commented for ages - you still think I've given up blogging after saying 'Good-bye' on If only if only I'd blogspot.
I've a new home :-
behindkyanitesdoor.blogspot.com.
Do come over & say 'Hi' with Stella when you've finished celebrating today!

Happy Gober-versary & St Patricks Day.

Pats & pets
Blue

Sophie Brador said...

Aw Stan, You're making everyone all leaking over here. You sure have had an adventurous year. My fave picture of all of them is you roaching with the pink flamingo. Man, that cracks me up.

xo
SB

Murphey said...

Happy BLOGOVERSARY! The parties just keep coming, Joeypalooza and Stanleyversary, WHOO HOOO!

Reilly and I are gonna go have a treat in your honor.

Murph

Asta said...

MySweet Sweet Lovegoober Stanley

I wish you all the happiness in the wowld! I'm so gwateful that you found youw Giwl and she found you!!! you awe my heawt and my joy..I love all the wondewful pictoowes of you, you wewe aweady a gowgeous GooberBoy as a baby..you stole my heawt with youw hoomow and antics, and handsome Aiweness..I hope you liked youw suwpwise pawty..All my love
youw Astawoni fuzzbutt!

Amber-Mae said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amber-Mae said...

Oh, Happy 1st Blogoversary to you Stanley!

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Ruby Bleu said...

Oh Stanny...Happy GooberVersary!!! W00t! You girl and Merv and the luckiest and smartest in the world to have adopted you! Or should I say YOU granting them citizenship into Gooberstan was a smart move. Either way happy gooberversary and you are doing a smashing job at being a big bro to princess Stella!

I woof you lots!!! Lots of Licks, your Ruby Bug

Randi said...

Oh Stanley! You are so lucky to have found your girl one year ago today! I'm so happy for the both of you that you have my mom/secretary's eyes leaking!

Love & Licks,
Randi

Asta said...

Stanny
I am so vewy happy and ovew the moon, that i got to be thewe fow youw Gotcha day..You have no idea how much you awe loved!! evewyone wanted to celebwate you!!!..did you like youw gotcha day pwesents I sent??
I hope they wewe fun..Youws fowevew
smoochiest of smoochie kisses,Astawoni fuzzO'butt

Jans Funny Farm said...

Happy gotcha day, Stanley. We're glad you've been having such a good time with Asta and her friends in Ireland. That was a nice surprise they gave you for your gotcha day.

Mack said...

May this be the Gooberest Goobaversary ever! Thanks for those great pictures of you as a pup!

Hope the next year holds lots of wonderful things for you, your girl & Stella!

wally said...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBER! Happy Happy Burpday! This must be why the pope tried to move Paddy's day, so as not to interfere with the greater St. Stan!

Have a great one, buddy, You deserve it!

wally

ps. I left smooches for you on my blog.

Hammer said...

Hi Stanley
Sorry I'm late wishing you a VERY HAPPY GOOBERVERSARY !! Just visited Asta's blog and saw what a pawtastic time you all had in Dublin. Way to go, man !!
Merv looks a really cute guy and it's good you both get into lots of trubble together. He's a good photographer too.
I'm certain Stella just loves having you for a big brother coz you are a gentle giant.
Love from Hammer

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Looks like you had a pawtastic Gotcha Day. Hope the coming year is full of fun and joy.

Essex & Deacon

Lorenza said...

Hi, Stan!
Happy GooberVersary!!
So sorry for your former family and so happy for you, Merv, Stella and your Girl!
Sure it was a great day for you!
Thanks for being my friend.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Urban Smoothie Read said...

happy anniversary to the republic of gooberstan!! is the greatest place to be...!

Princess, Tank and Isaac: The Newfs of Hazard said...

Happy gotcha day, Stanley! You sure were a cute pup! And now you're a dog of distinction!!

Kirby said...

Stanley,

Happy Adoption Day! How wonderful it was for you and your girl to find one another. I'm so glad that you found such a wonderful home where you could be a goober! I hope you had a super time today, looks like the celebration began early! Know that I am celebrating your adoption/gotcha day here too! Mom says I'll do anything for a celebration!

Your pal,
Kirby

Joe Stains said...

We are so glad you came to adopt your human because we just wouldn't be as happy as we are today without you. The DWBs allowed us to find a whole new country, Gooberstan and its fabulous ruler, YOU! We love reading about your adventures with the flamingo, stella and your Mom who needs to finish her paper NOW!

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Happy birthday to your blog Stanley. I'm go glad you're in a pawsome home with your girl, Merv and Stella now. You sure are a great pal to me. :)

~ Girl girl

Noah the Airedale said...

We loved hearing how you and your girl got together. Sometimes things just work out for the best ay matie and we can see how happy you and your girl are. We just love a happy ending....hoooray.
Happy gotcha day Stanley!!!!!!

Oh we just love those puppy photos.
Do you know if your old family read your blog?? Tess' old family haven't even replied to our emails so we've given up on them and we never knew Lucy's.

Hugs and tail wags
Noah Willow Tess & Lucy

Anonymous said...

Happy Gooberversary Stan the Man
You are one lucky Dale to have such a gweat family, Stella loves you, Merv thinks your cool and your Girl adores you, have a great day and your puppy piktoors are pawsome, Nanny no have puppy piktoors, they no give her any, sigh oh well she takes tons every day, I went for a car ride wait till you see the next post with my car ride.
Happy Happy
Hugs,Bellyrubs,Smoochies
Pearl
Wheelies
Opal

Ferndoggle said...

Happy Adoption Day Stan the man! Looks like you found the pawfect home (we're still not so sure about Merv, but hey...if you like him, cool with us!).

sloppy licks, nubby wiggles & a giant grump,

Sherman, Penny & Lola

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Happy anniversary!

Hehehhe yu wer a cewt pup! Hehehe! All cuddly!

Merv looks like a tabby Mummy had yeers ago. He was calld Sam!

I luv yor fotoes!!!

WA-HEYYY!!!!!!!!!!

:@D

Juno said...

Stanley!!!
Happy Blogoversary and Happy Gatcha Day!!! We're so glad you came to your girl's life. What a life story with great photos!!

Thanks for joining us in Ireland. We enjoyed our trip so much with you!

Momo & Pinot

Sparky said...

Happy, happy goober'versary Stanley! I'm raising my kibble for many more wonderful years!

Simba and Jazzi said...

Hope you had a good weekend. Trying to catch up on all the blogs.

Simba xx

Deetz said...

It was so nice reading your blog this morning, Stanley. Your a hansome goober dale. A year goes by so fast and look at all you have accomplished. You will be the best big brother Stella could ever have.
Deetzy

Unknown said...

Hey Stanley,

Happy Gotcha Day!!! You're mommy is soooo lucky to have found you!

I emailed you a gotcha day card, I hope you got it.

Frenchie Snorts
Balboa

Moco said...

How lucky we all are to have made contact with you, your girl, Merv and of course Stella. May you have many, many, many more years overseeing Gooberstan.

Islay said...

Happy Goober-versary, Stanley! Great photos - mine keep disappearing, even after I repost them, but you've got a long string that I can enjoy!

Just letting you know, too, that my human is taking over the Rainbow Bridge, but we don't have Oscar's info. Can you tell his humans please?

licks & slobbers
-Charlie

Lizzy said...

Happy Blogoversary to you, Stan! This was a great post, My human and I laughed a lot through it! I think you made my day. :)

Sparky

Spike William and Angels China Cat and Willow said...

Wow, Stanley, I have to say I hope that you have the happiest Gooberversary ever! And weren't you the cutest little one! Also, I didn't know that Merv was such a terrific photographer! What a great day!


Purrrrrrrrs, China Cat

Koobuss said...

Oh Stanley,

I love you!!

What a beautiful story. I wish you all the best that life has to offer. You are one giant sweetheart! May you rule Gooberstan for a long, long time.

Happy Anniversary, dear boy!

Love and Lots of Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie

Asta said...

Stanley Lovepup,
I can't get enough of these pictoowes of you..I just LOVE looking at them!!!
OkOK we'll take the papew bag off..heheh, she'd pwobably only get awwested as a tewwiowist.
It's waiing all day..I wish you wewe hewe to play with me
smoochie kisses to all of you..and an extwa hooge one fow you !
youw Astawoni

the many Bs said...

hi Stanley, happy gooberversary! we are happy that you are happy! your little pupster pictures look soooo cute and we like to hear about your history. we hope you are having a big celebration with lots of treats and friends.

woofs

Buster the Wired Fox Terror said...

happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary happy gooberversary

Bussie Kissies
Buster

Finni said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Stanley!
Pity it didn't work out with your first family ... and you were such a cute puppy!
But Weyhey ... now you have your own country! ... your own girl ... and your own sister! Can things get any better!?
By the way that Merv is a talented photographer!
Keep celebrating life.
Love
Finni xx

Persephone and Buster said...

HAPPY GOOBERversary TO U! wow stanley that was a very interesting photo history. your gurlie is so very blessed to have saved you and you her. wow again..
I bet you are the goobette's best brother considering how much garBAGE you had to take from the previous not-so-nice sister.
we are glad you found your forever home. oh while we're here and writing.. you've been tagged!! come over to our blog and check out why!
your friends...theBUSTER, ms. Persephone & ms. Blue too

Peanut said...

we are so happy that your girl got you and we got to learn all about gooberstan. :)

Myeo said...

Happy Adoption Day, Stanley!

We love those photos if you.

Love
Boy n Baby

Huskee and Hershey said...

Happy Gooberversary!! Mom and I loved reading how you found your girl (and Merv). I can't imagine calling you anything else other than Stanley!!

Luv, Huskoober

Dear Stan Stan,
Happy Gooberversary to you!! I read about the balls bit.. I think Huskee has 2 that he can spare, I will mail them off to you..

XOXO, Mooskeeta

Neko said...

Happy anniversary Stan and Stans Girly. You both definitely got lucky finding each other. Love,Neko

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh Stan...what a goober you are and we say that with the highest admiration possible...and what an adorable pup you were too...how you Dales grow!!

You certainly have had one amazing year...your reign as sovereign prince of Gooberstan has not gone unrecognized by world leaders.

Your platform of kindness and love for all Goobers has spread quickly over the land.

We bow to you, dear Stanley...and to your Girl for findin' ya, and to Stella for trainin' ya...oopsie...of course I mean to Stella for um...for being a bootiful crown princess of Gooberstan....

Gooberlove, kissies and devotion...
Scruffygoobers
Babygooberstan
and
Gooberlacilicious...
XXOOXXOO

Anonymous said...

WOW. You posted a complete biography, Stanley! And so many beautiful, cute and funny photos. You were a cute puppy, as most puppies are of course.;) You have lots of balls to play with, and such BIG ones. THREE girlfriends... OMC! And then your sister... she is such a lucky girl with a brother like you!!

Headbutts from your friend,
~Ruis

Opy - the Original GruffPuppy said...

Happy anniversary my friend - we are so glad that you found such a wonderful furever home.

Love
Opy

Emily and Ike said...

That was a great tribute to your awesomeness! Well done, man!
Ike

Asta said...

Stanny Dawling
I'm glad my eggses cheewed you up..I wish you ad Stella dn youGiwl and Merv could all be hewe to shawe out Eastew with us. I hope you have some gweat family time togethew!
smoochiest of smoochie kisses
youw
Astabunnyfuzzbutt

Mr. T-Bone Beasley said...

Stan!!!
I would totally be honored if you linked me!It sounds like you have a pretty awesome life! Roaching is the best. I do it every day to air out my belly and get optimal positioning for the best sleep ever!

I have to be honest, your nose is unbelievably awesome! It never looks dry, you must do some intense hydration!!

Goober on my friend! Goober on!

Slurp!

Mr. T-Bone Beasley

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Hey Stanley! Hey! Hey!

I've got a dog joke!

HEHEHEHEHEH! This is good! This is good!!

Q. Wat's brown an sticky?????

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

Giv up?

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

A: a stick

Bogart H. Devil said...

HAPPY GOOBERVERSARY my friend!!!

Love,
Bogart

kaui said...

OH stanley u are toooo handsome! That was a terrrrrific story that u wrote. I bet your having a WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better life with ya girl rather than those other people neways! u get a cool cat, and a lil sis what more can ya ask for??? :) congradulations!

DILLY said...

STANLEY!
STANLEY!
AWWWW.......HAPPY DOPSHUN DAY STANLEY!!!!

COM SEE DILLY NEW EASTER BONNET!!!!!

¬"

Molly and Gertrude said...

What a lovely story Stanley - you have had a great first year with your girl and we know there will be many more to come.

Love Molly and Gertrude
xx

Martha said...

Happy gotcha day, Stan! You are definitely living the good life. Love, Martha

The Thuglets said...

fkvhrHappy GooberVersary!

What a fabulous read Stan..thanks for sharing your story with us and all your photos.

What a great day when you found your new forever mum and became GooberStan.

Happy Easter

Big Nose Pokes
The thugletsx

H.A. Turbofire, Sibertarian said...

Happy blogoversary! Ha woooo!

Casper and pals said...

Happy 1st Gooberversary!

The WriggleButts said...

Congratulations with your aniversary! Even if we're a bit slow to realise it.. Mom say you look supercute as your little poopie self! You might remember she grew up with Airedales and have had a few litters of airedalepuppies to cuddle ;)

We hope there will be many more years of gooberstan blogging!

Kisses,
the WriggleButts

Deetz said...

Thank you Stanley and Stella, all your prayers were answered and Gizmo is still with us for a little while longer...Hope you guys had a wonderful Easter. I never did see the bunny, did you?

Clover said...

Happy belated Gooberversary! I am sorry I missed it. I loved the recap post - great pictures! I love your cute baby pictures a lot!
Love Clover xo
P.S. Congrats on gradumutating and pass on a kiss to your girl for me, to help keep her motivated.

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh our main man,we are sooo behind in our reading!!!!! We wish you the best gotcha day,you sure got the best out of the deal!!! We got a little weepy there buddy!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!! Love A+A

fee said...

boy, is it good to be back in gooberstan again! i missed you, stan! i'm glad i made it for your first blogoversary; i remember some of those photographs and they bring back such fond memories from your old posts! and merv looks great too, as usual. :)

loves and kisses,
fee

Chilli the Dog said...

Hiya Stan!

Happy Blogoversary! Wow!...those pix of you looks great! May you have many many more happy times with your girl and stella!

Wuff

Chilli

Lacy said...

woofies and Burf's Stanley and Stella...me hopies u iz boff doing well...u lookies sooo cute in ur picturs...me loves u boff and will watch over u....

b safe,
Rocky and ;)angel lacylulu

Anonymous said...

Hip, Hip Horray! We couldn't imagine our lives without you all in it! We sure do love you guys! You bring us so many smiles and laughs...Help us cope when we are sad...

For the record, my Mom says that Stanley Boy gives the BESTEST hugs ever...EVER!!!!!

Love, Herc

Snowball said...

Hi Stanley,

Happy GooberVersary. I am so glad to be able to meet you over blogsphere. You are a very handsome boy. **blush blush** Its an honor to have you as my friend.

Luv
Snowball

Kimi Wagner said...

Hey Stan,

A little late now to send you congrats for your first anniversary, but I'm sure you don't mind. You look like you've had a ball of a time for the first year home. Wonderful stories, and awesome pics. We can tell you are extremely happy with your human and Merv, and your sissy.

I loove that pic you took with ZZ, two awesome dale pics, if you ask me. Hope you have many many more happy years with your human and your pack.

Love,
Kimi