HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY SKINNY PUPPY

TRAVIS
(1994 -- at fifteen and now)

A sensitive caring guy
With a generous heart.
He is rated top Rude Dog
For any belch or fart.

Once a cute, cotton-topped,
Curly-headed boy so shy.
Now tall, lean, handsome --
A sullen and cool kinda guy.

Travis has a knowing smile.
He is intelligent and funny.
But his ribs are sunken in.
Jessi spent the food money!

He might win or lose at games --
They are just for sport or fun --
But when we get down to life's basics,
Travis is always a champion.

That is only a portion of a poem I wrote for Travis when he was fifteen.

Twenty-seven years ago today Travis was born. I had just signed the papers on my first home purchase and we drove to Pat's to talk about the good news. She had good news of her own. She was waiting for Milton and they were on the way to the hospital. We took Jessi home with us and waited for that special phone call. Milton called that evening, after Pat had done all the work, and proudly announced to us, "I had a boy!" It was an exciting day for everyone.

Happy Birthday Travis. Love you, thinking of you!