Our Dog Copernicus Celebrates 11 Years Of Life Tonight

Copernicus as the old saying goes: "I was born at night but not last night." Eleven years ago tonight your mother Eloisa went into labor in the area near the dining room in our old townhouse in San Jose. You were the first to be born. You came into the world blind and with no fur. You were so tiny that I could hold you in my hand. Your father was a sweet little white dog named Virgilio. Your mother arrived from Argentina pregnant with you. It was fortunate that you were born with us. Had you been born in Argentina, Patricia's husband would have taken you out and killed you because they could not afford puppies. As a puppy you were sweet. You loved to sit out on the patio and look up at the heavens. We gave you the name Copernicus after the Polish astronomer Copernicus because you were fascinated with the heavens. We thought that you would grow up to be sweet like your father. Instead you grew up to be strong and aggressive. You have escaped many times and survived in dangerous places full of coyotes, mountain lions, and very unpleasant humans. You have had "run ins" with animal control in two California counties and a couple of law enforcement agencies. The lawyer Krisana Hodges once had to defend you from a civil claim after you bit a UPS driver. You are a little man with incredible resourcefulness and street sense. We love you and thank you for eleven years of love, loyalty and devotion.