Friday, December 31, 2010

Born in a barn on the snowy eve of a new year...


“Be Silly. Be honest. Be kind.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

There really is quite a lot to be learned from man’s best friend. They love unconditionally; they are loyal to the ends of the earth and can make the worst day melt away with a slobbery kiss and frantically wagging tail.

Today (tonight actually) our Honey is 3 years old (21 in dog years), and MY how life has changed for {us} since we first brought her home as a puppy…
We’ve bought a house (with a nice big yard!), added and subtracted another dog (tears), worked long hours (sigh), taken vacations (mhmm) and had an actual baby (oops!).
Really, SHE was our first “baby.”
She…
Showed us early on the possible parenting “kinks” we may have to work out should she have been a “real” child….
Held me accountable for miles and miles of walks and runs in all seasons…
Kept me warm in bed when Gary was working offshore…
Was there when I was alone,
Is a GREAT listener,
Has absorbed many of my tears in her wispy, fluffy fur,
Made me feel safe when I felt uneasy—whether it be a strange noise at night or jog through a sketchy neighborhood…
Saves me a few seconds every morning by licking out my oatmeal bowl…
And she waits, ever so faithfully for us to return home…no matter how long we are gone.

She’s snuggles on a rainy day, a goofy smile in the backseat of the car, and a laughing tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth, glancing back to make sure I’m still there on the path, running behind her.
She will forever have a piece of not only my heart, but Gary’s—and I can tell by how Kai turns his head to the jingle of her collar, and how he flashes her his gummy smile when she pops into sight that she has been embraced by his sweet spirit, too.

Happy Birthday, Honey!!!

1 comment:

Sweet Blessings said...

Happy Birthday to your honey! I hope you gave her a great present or at least a very tasty one! She is beautiful by the way...Sweet blessings!