Un bon anniversaire surprise!

For those of you doggies who aren't tri-lingual (English, dog, & French), no, my headline is not about my surprise at celebrating a 24-hour anniversary with Lacie. We aren't even officially boyfriend-girlfriend yet because I still don't have Archie's blessing. 

Instead, it means "a good surprise birthday!!!!" Today my friend Tom is celebrating his very first birthday. (And so is his #1!) So since Asta and Lacie are just across the Channel in England, taking care of Jackson who seems to be recuperating nicely, I thought they might want to join me. 

First I rang up Jackson: "Jax, old boy, just wondering if I could borrow the girls for a few hours today. Would that be alright with you?"

Jackson thought for a moment about his soggy mattress after Asta had tried to administer a bubble bath  in his bed and the absolutely dreadful stuff that Lacie had been referring to as "tea" and didn't hesitate a moment before saying, "Yes, take them! I could use the rest!"

I wasn't sure I'd heard him right, what with the international connection and all, "What's that, Jax?"

"Yes, take them...and give Tom my best!" And with that, I popped over on Aire Ruby (for some reason, one of the lavatories was out of service) and picked up the girls! Off to the Eurostar station in Waterloo.

 
My bestest pal Eric just happened to be the train station on his way home. Good thing we were all decked out in his favorite color! He'd been to the doctor to see about some burns he'd suffered...who knew that a mis-poured cuppa tea could scald you? I noticed Lacie was a bit shy and embarrassed around Eric....and thought, maybe she is changing her flirtatious ways....

Anyhow, we soon were off! We had a great time on the train. The girls got me all caught up on their adventures in England. I surprised them by bringing along the 8-pound, 750 page fall fashion issue of American Dogue for them to share.

Finally, we were in deepest France! Sen-Chan, Tom's gorgeous Aby chat-frere, had alerted me that Tom likes to spend his afternoons guarding the front entry so we snuck around the back way...
Lacie and Asta started giggling as they tiptoed through the tall grass with all our birthday, errr. anniversaire, supplies. 

We could hear Tom start barking "Hey, who's there? Who's there?" And he came bounding out of the field...

"SURPRISE TOM!!!!" we all shouted!

We sang a few verses of "Joyeux Anniversaire, Joyeux Anniversaire, Joyeux Anniversaire Tom, Joyeux Anniversaire!" Won't you sing a few verses with us?

Then we tucked into a delicious cake and drank lots of champagne. Tom took us up to the house and we had a grand time chasing balls down the long marble hallways—excellent for bouncing the ball extra high and sliding to get it.

And I've gotta tell ya, even though she giggled a lot and took her time letting Tom show her the grand ballroom, Lacie didn't really flirt with Tom all that much. And as you can see, Tom is one handsome fellow, and a LOT taller than me! PLUS he lives in deepest France AND he sounds exactly like Clive Owen.  She really surprised me (at least, I don't think she slipped him her telephone number...).

The day was growing late, there was a train to catch back to England, and the girls had to get back to their nursing duties. Tom walked us back to the gate and waved goodbye until we were out of sight. All in all, I think he had un tres bon anniversaire! I know we sure had a great time celebrating it with him!

"Nos meilleurs voeux, Tom!"