Last week, we celebrated Gunner’s adoption anniversary. It’s been nine years since he came to live with us – and he’s filled these years with unforgettable memories. We’ve gone for so many walks together, explored new trails, spent weekend mornings at the local dog park. We’ve played hide-and-seek in the house, we’ve played fetch in the yard. We’ve had countless fun-filled days.

Over the past almost-decade, Gunner has established himself as a passionate collector and  food connoisseur in our home. Fascinated by plush toys, perfect-for-tug-of-war ropes, and squeaky, retrieve-worthy balls and unwilling to part with any of his valued possessions, he’s accumulated… curated… a sizable collection of dog-envy-evoking treasures. He’s also refined his knowledge of canine-appropriate cuisine, keeping me company in the kitchen while I’d make treats for him and Tucker, supervising my cooking in search of their favorite meals, and volunteering to sample all made-just-for-them culinary creations.

I could fill an entire book with anecdotes about Gunner. But what it comes down to is this: As dogs do, Gunner and Tucker have made our house a home.

So, how did we celebrate Gunner’s Gotcha Day? By taking him and Tucker on an adventure-filled walk around our neighborhood, where he was greeted, and cheered on, by other canines as he walked by their yards, discovered new scents along his path, and even saw donkeys. Following this much-loved leisure activity of theirs, Gunner and Tucker continued the celebration at home by indulging in whipped-cream desserts. Check out the slideshow below with snapshots from Gunner’s adoption anniversary!

Do you celebrate your dog’s Gotcha Day? Let me know in the comments below.

Adventures of Tucker and Gunner