Jirachi turned 10 on March 3^rd. Time sure flew by with this sweet pup! I remember when Grant and I were trying to have another baby after Natalie passed away, as it was never our intention that Sean would be an only child. We were challenged by how much harder it was to get pregnant in our late 30’s. One windy day, as we were driving to Pacifica Beach to spend an afternoon hiking and fishing, Grant suggested that perhaps we should stop trying to have a baby and just get a dog. It was always his dream to have a dog but the timing never seemed right with our jobs, responsibilities, and taking care of our kids. Of course, this led to a fight, which led to a deeper discussion about our dreams and how we both wanted each other ultimately to heal and be happy. After that trip, I got Jirachi for Grant on his 41^st birthday.

Jirachi is full of personality. She is smart, bold, courageous, curious, mischievous, gentle, playful, loyal, and loves to eat as much as we do. Most of all, Jirachi is joyful. Her only fear is being apart from us. She gets separation anxiety when one of us gets out of the car to pump gas or runs into a store to grab something or she sees us packing our suitcases for a trip away from her.

Jirachi showed us how to live each day with joy and being present in the moment. She sat quietly next to me when I cried, waiting until I look into her hazel eyes, hug her, and smile again. She has been so good for our hearts that we ended up getting another labradoodle (Sasha) in 2023. Happy Birthday to our beautiful and wonderful girl! ( Little sister Sasha also got a cupcake after the birthday girl.)

Recipe for Jirachi’s cupcakes (which she devoured in less than twenty seconds)
For the cupcake:
½ cup almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 medium banana, mashed
¼ cup peanut butter
1 large egg

For the whipped cream frosting:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablepoons confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 6-cup cupcake tin mold with oil.
3. Combine almond flour and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add mashed banana, peanut butter and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to the cake tins and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
5. Cool completely on rack while you make the whipped cream.
6. In a clean bowl of a stand mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream with the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract with the wire whip attachment until it is creamy. 
7. Unmold the cupcakes onto a plate and spread whipped cream frosting on top with a spoon.

From Grant:

Jirachi taught me how to to greet Tammy and Sean. I work from home so I am frequently busy when Tammy or Sean walk in. Jirachi has her priorities in the right place, so whenever she hears someone coming, she rushes to say hello. She is always happy to see you and enthusiastically greets you with a grin and wagging tail. It’s a great way to come home!

Tammy and Sean rarely greet me like that and at first I was disappointed. Then I saw my hypocrisy; it’s not like I run downstairs to see them! I realized I can usually take a quick break and say hello to my family when they come home, too. Thank you for showing me how to love my family, Jirachi!