The web listing from the Wake County Animal Shelter said that “Pepper” was 3 years old. When I went to meet Pepper, on September 12, 2006, he was suddenly 5 years old. After I adopted this super-happy, super-sweet mutt whom I named Herman, vets said he was likely older than 5, and he could be as old as 7. So, I decided that Herman was 7 back in 2006. And then I decided in September 2007 that he was still 7. So, in 2011, Herman turns 11.

We’re not doing anything special for his birthday, although he did get to play with his friend Maya last night.

To honor Herman’s 11th birthday and 5th anniversary as Herman, here are 11 memorable Herman moments:

9/23/06

12/21/06

1/25/07

12/9/07

5/14/08

7/22/08

6/29/09

9/13/09

1/18/10

7/4/10

4/23/11