A Decade of Nigel: The Ultimate Dog Birthday Celebration
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90 commentsEight years ago, the dog you see pictured above met my gaze in a crowded, busy shelter kennel loaded with beautiful dogs in need of forever homes. Something about that look compelled me to drop what I was doing and make my way to him, and the moment I let him out of his crate he calmly stood on his hind legs, placed his paws on my shoulders and gave me a look that said, “You finally found me. Let’s go home.”
We did, and that decision has changed our lives in ways we never imagined possible. Nigel has gone on to become a bona fide celebrity dog, raising thousands of dollars for charity and providing comic relief for thousands of our fans and friends. And while those of you who have recently joined us may not realize it, he also inspired the creation of Life With Dogs.
So how do you celebrate the birthday of a superhound? With a look back at his finest moments. We hope you enjoy the memories, and we thank each and every one of the extraordinary dog lovers who have joined us on this remarkable journey.
Happy birthday Nigel. We love you more than you’ll ever know. ♥
Learn more about the Flat Nigel project here. Version 4 is currently in production. YouTube video link for those who prefer it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_su6FYCX4Y
Happiest Birthday to the craziest, most lovable DAWG in the world! <3
I LOVE you Nigel! Happy Birthday and thank you for your daily gift of laughs, joy and fun. You have made my world a much better place. Muwah *blowing a zillion kisses your way*
Great tribute to a party animal deluxe!!!
You have been everywhere – including our hearts! Have the GREYTEST birthday ever!
Happy day, happy year … many more happy times ahead! Don’t confuse Cracker with your birthday cake!
made me cry ! and it tickled … thanks for being one of the defining moments in my existance.. lead on nigel… xoxoxoxox Love, Mary, Ozzie and Lewwie Bean !
Great video for a wonderful pup!!! Happy Birthday, Nigel and thanks for all the smiles you give us and our humans. We hope you have a great birthday and many more years of good health and happiness.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Happy happy birthday to you, you handsome devil! What a lucky boy you are and what a lucky family you have. A wonderful day to you all!
Great tribute for the great Nigel. Happy 10th Birthday Nigel. I count it an honor to have been your friend for what??? At least 3 years! WOW!! Hope your day is rockin!
You have definitely “been everywhere”!…and where you haven’t been, flat Nigel HAS! We hope you are still celebrating!
Aire-hugs,
Penny & Patches
Nigel, you certainly have left your mark, on the world, in more than one way!
Thanks for the good times!
Happy Birthday and many happy returns of the day!
Happy, Waggin’ Tails, FUREVER!
Stumpy and me
Happy Birthday to the classiest celeb of all time! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3!!!
LOVE the video!! Happy Birthday, dearest Nigel! May we all be blessed with many more.
Flat Nigel and his escapades never fail to bring a huge smile to my face… it was an unforgettable experience and a joy to be a part of.
Much, much love to you and your pack on this auspicious day!
You must smile a lot, Kathleen – there are places he’s been that don’t even show up! And, you must be so proud to have painted such a lovely FN!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday, Nigel! Yes, you have been everywhere! Thanks for sharing the love and keeping us entertained. X’s and O’s ~
(I think I recognized a certain Bunnyhound adoring you on a beach….)
One of a kind my friend, Loves from Luna and I…<3…
way too awesome!!! you sure have been around pal… and brought lots of us 2 leggers together.. you truly have made the world a better place and touched lots of lives!
wow–love the video–Happy , Happy Birthday, Mr. Nigel–love you
Nigel is definitely love & loved by many! Very nice tribute! Thanks for sharing! Happy Birthday Nigel!
Somebody tell him!!!
My Freedom Girl also turned 10 today!
Happy B day Dohge
happy birthday Nigel
wish u get more happy times..
happy birthday, nigel!
Have A Great Celebration Nigel! <3
Cannot stop laughing! You certainly “have been everywhere, man!” <3 Happy Birthday, Nigel! <3
so comical!
Happy tenth, Big Boy! We all love you!
Kat & Krew
Happy Birthday, Nigel…and many more!
Happy Birthday Nigel. Wishing you and your family many more.
Happy Birthday Nigel xx
That is the cutest most loving birthday present I have ever seen!!!
Happy Birthday Nigel! Party hardy big guy!
Happy Birthday Nigel
Happy Birthday Nigel
Shared! Happy Birthday once again, Sweet Nigel!
happy birthday Nigel !! <3
Happy Birthday Nigel….BOL…;-)
Happy Birthday Nigel!
awww! happy birfday nigel!
Happy Birthday from Anette Goodwin and Seamus Greyhound!!! <3
I wonder how 11 can be even bigger and better! Happiest of Birthdays to the hound who always makes us smile!
LOL! you really have been everywhere man! you must be exhausted!
Happy Birthday Nigel!
HBOL2U HBOL2U! <3 <3 <3 Jeffie <3 <3 <3
I love how he found you. And I really love that you share him with so many people and dogs. Happy 10th Nigel. I hope you get many virtual and actual hugs today.
{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}} 1 for each year and 1 to grow on!
Ellen
HAPPY IRTHDAY Hope it’s a good one ENJOY!!!!!
Well a decade is just the beginning! Onward good dog. You complete me.
XO Liz,Pico and Remmy XO
This is a wonderful video. The two leggers who made this must love you very, very much. You’re a lucky dog. And they’re lucky two leggers.
Happy Birthday my friend. Now you are officially twice as old as I am
Here’s to another Decade of Decadence!
Kisses,
Emma Rose
WE LOVE YOU NIGEL!!!! Big Bullie kisses and Whippety hugs from your most Southern fans (All the way from South Australia)
When are you going to do a (virtual) world tour xox
Happy Birthday, Nigel. You evidently picked the right human to go home with.
Thank you for sharing your good times along with the bad; the hysterical images that will stay with me forever and now, a Johnny Cash tune that will serve as a “Nigel” reminder everytime I hear it! One could not ask for a better advocate for all four leggers!!!
We love you<3
Darla Dean and the Roo Crew~
Nigel ROCKS! And so do his 2-leggers who were kind enough to share him with the rest of us!
And 10 years ago Nigel thought, “No, not the lanky professorial guy. I want the cute pixie in pink. Waaaaaait a minute. Wait a cotton-picking minute. Did she just pinch the doofus’s botty bot? Are they together? Thweeeeet! I hope she picks kibble better than picks men. Seriously. He has no ass. Now mine–that’s a booty for a teeny tiny cutie.”
Nigel’s a thinker, obviously.
Happiest of birthdays to you, Nigel. Thanks to the two leggers for compiling this great video. We look forward to at least another decade’s worth of shenanigans!!!
Did I mention the song choice was perfection!?!
I just noticed Zoe in the Pacman crew.
))) Nigel IS love!
Marvelous Nigel!! O happy happy day !!! Love and Hugs from Maine – We love you dearly… Thank you for all the wonderful friendships we have experienced because of you !
What a beautiful tribute. Happy Birthday Nigelbugger! (P.S. So glad that Nigel came into your lives. I love Life With Dogs!)
We love this! SOOOO many memories from the blog. I may have not been a regular commenter, but we are faithful readers!
Happy Birthday you wild and crazy dog!
Nigel is love! He sure is! How fortunate for you all to find each other. Thank you to Neil and Treena, for sharing Nigel with the world. Love you heaps, big guy!!!!!
hey Nigel,
Happy 10th Birthday! You don’t look a day over one! I am so happy to have “met” you! You have brought a lot of happiness and smiles and laughter to my human and I. Here is wishing you many many more amazing, adventurous, and great years ahead of you!
The video was pawesome! You rock!
Suka
Happy B-Day, you wonderful, handsome hound about town! You are the only true celebrity I know! We were at Mackinaw Island a week ago and when walking by the bar, overheard someone say “did you see Nigel Bugger’s post today?” You’re a star
xoxoxo
Who would have thunk it, look at what’s happened in eight years! You’ve inspired an empire, or something huge anyway, Nigel. Congratulations on your 10th birthday. Looking forward to seeing what you inspire next:) Loved the video.
Happy birthday to Nigel!!! We all love you!
Better late den never! Happy Barkday Nigel!
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
<3 Nigel <3
When you see this picture as a thumbnail, you might see Nigel looking like a parrot.
love love LOVE!
Oodv
I KNOW what a fluffernutter IS!!! Thanks for all you do!
AWESOME!! Happy birthday Nigel!!!
fluffernutters are the best!!! especially yummy on Wonder Bread.
Hap-pei Birthday Nigel. Sorry I’m a day late. Hope you forgive me. On second thought, just celebrate it again!!!!
fluffernutters huh? Will have to look into that one!
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!! MY LATE KAYLAH USED TO DO THIS EVERYTIME I WAS DOWN!!!! BOY DO I MISS HER!!!
wow now that is creative and adorable. crackin up the entire time, especially with the rocket butt dog shot
Very cute and fun! Happy Birthday to you Nigel. You are loved!
I wonder what “fluffernutters” are….
<3 <3 <3
PB & marshmallow fluff.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…I like it! I’ll see how my Fonzi and Berty like them…..but am SURE I know the answer….thanks for letting me know! I love your face book page, BTW….
Happyhappy from Sugar!
The song didn’t mention Scottsdale, and god knows you’ve made your mark ;0)
Happy Birthday!
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
What a wonderful look back at the years so far! Happy Birthday, Nigel. I am so glad your human realized you were his family!
You are truly a representation of love, at its finest, Nigel! I love this video, thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos taken of Nigel over the years. A very, very Happy Birthday, Nigel, and may you enjoy many, many more with your adoring family.
Happy birthday to the wonderful, amazing, inspiring and hilarious Nigel!