It's the best time of the year

I wanted this year to be special. I started thinking about what to get the girls for Christmas months ago. For Jessika, I knew I would have to go over the top-- she has high expectations. Airline tickets to South Africa, a car or maybe a dog. When I started thinking about actually getting a dog, I had to decide on the breed and the age. I liked the idea of rescuing a dog, but I needed him to love my cats. I wanted Jim to like him; thus it had to be a big male. I knew if Jim got the dog of his dreams it would be white German Shepard, but this dog was going to be for Jessika. I understood that I was giving it to a 16 year girl who would most likely go away to college in two years and probably would not be the most responsible care taker but I thought it was important to let her try. To truly parent a child, one must offer opportunities for growth-- nothing was going to teach her more about real life than taking care of a puppy. It seemed like a win-win, but I knew it would not be easy. Then I read an article about gift giving and how the best gifts were gifts of experience-- travel, lessons and the best gift of all was a dog! That was it. I was in.

I chose the Labrador because I knew first hand that they were easy going dogs. Our family needed a breed that could deal with playful cats, crying girls, screaming teens, an angry mom, or a grouchy dad and not freak out. I already had a pet for my lap, so a little dog was out of the question--I wanted a dog to walk with. So, quite frankly, life as we know it at the Ford's is about to change. Jim's stressed out about a new job, so I teased him that there's a lot more stress coming our way! But when I heard Jessi tell the little guy that he was her new best friend and talk to him about how she couldn't wait until she could go camping with him, I knew it was going to fun. Jessi said he was the cutest thing she ever saw in her whole life and I told her yes, until she has a baby. She said she didn't a think a baby could be cuter than him. Maybe she's right?

Comments

[Drenna]

Congrats on the puppy. Our puppy is over 2 yrs old now and he is the best. What did you name him?