Today is your Birthday Winston, so here are some facts about your heritage. 

Before humans milked cows, herded goats or raised hogs, before they invented agriculture, or written language, before they had permanent homes, and most certainly before they had cats, they had dogs. There is good evidence that dogs were domesticated around 15,000 years ago. Researchers agree that they evolved from ancient wolves. 

Of the estimated one billion dogs in the world, only a quarter of them are pets. The vast majority of dogs run free in villages, scavenge food at dumps, and cadge the odd handout. Dogs do not live in pack structures when they are on their own, and so some scientists scoff at dog-training approaches that require the human to act as pack leader. 

Just as your ancestors evolved from wolves, you have evolved from a novel plaything, to a member of our family. You welcome us when we return home, you keep us company, you help me in my office greeting patients with your happy demeanor, you protect us by scaring away deer who would otherwise burglarize the house, and you constantly put a smile on our faces. 

Being born on Valentine’s Day, your middle name is Valentino, like the designer, loved by many, and also like Rudolph, the famous silent movie star who was loved by women as well. And, befitting your Valentine’s birthday, you bring out the love in so many people.

So, from Claire, Zoe, Joan, and myself, we say Happy Birthday Winston, we love you!

Winston, today you are 

3 years old, 

which, is 21 in dog years.

Enjoy!