Happy Birthday Dearest Rosie! SURPRISE!!!

We're arrived at Rosie's home station! We're all so excited about our big surprise. Fortunately, Eric Square Dog shipped his Zoomer on the Royal Scotsman. Now we just need to squeeze all of us — and our luggage and birthday cakes and presents — into the boot/trunk!

Thanks to Marvin's expert packing, we got everything stowed away. It was a bit tight, but soon we were on our way to Dughallmor Manor. Let's see...we've got Kira, Marvin, Mason Dixie, Jake, Eric behind the wheel, me riding shootgun...where are those Basset Aunties and Hamish???

Ahh, apparently HRH Auntie Princess Bailey decided she was too royal to ride with us commoners (at least she hasn't taken to referring to us as her loyal subjects...yet) so she summoned Martha to serve as her Basset-in-Waiting and Sir Hamish (yes, she knighted him with a butter knife over tea) to be her coachman.

Soon we were pulling up the miles long drive to Dughallmor Manor!

The beagles were ever so surprised!!! We wasted no time setting up a lavish dinner party in the back garden. Rosie and I snuggled all through the soup course, Gabbi whispered sweet nothings into Jake's upturned ear, Asta and Clive discussed Asta's potential as a "fashion assistance" service dog, while Martha happily indulged HRH Auntie Princess Bailey's request that she be her official food-taster.

Despite protests that it wasn't dinner party conversation, Eric insisted on describing his latest surgery operations in detail. Marvin tried to keep his haggis down after hearing what Eric had extracted most recently from Lacie. Kira cozied up to her Snoop dog, while Alfie kept a proprietary paw around the lovely Mason Dixie.

Sir Hamish assured that everydoggie's water bowl was kept full, occasionally adding a splash of a particularly fine Glenlivet.

Our beautiful rose-bedecked cake had made the journey from the Harrod's Food Hall in fine shape! Gabbi and Rosie closed their eyes and made a wish.

I know you're not supposed to tell what you wished for, but sitting out there in the beautiful garden, surrounded by good friends and new tennis balls, I couldn't help but think that all of our wishes had come true!

Happiest of Birthdays to my dearest wee wifey Rosie Posie, who makes every day feel like the best birthday party ever!