Last summer we lost Gidget, the only dog my children have ever known. She died like she lived always trying to please all of us. She waited for Megan and Grant to get home and with the whole family gathered around her, we watched her leave. It was the sweetest thing, we loved her so and she so faithfully loved us.
None of us could stand it. Something was missing in our home. But, Mark, refused to allow us to get another dog. He wouldn’t even talk about it. We were traveling more with two children grown, two away at school and only one left at home. We needed to be free to travel. For Marky and I it was tough to be home without Gidget.
It all started innocently enough, just a little after school dog browsing on the internet. Then one day we impulsively decided to take a drive up to the Humane Society. We went back the next week. The puppies all went fast it seemed. The next week we met Katie and we knew we would have to act fast. Marky bought her.
Mark was already home from work when we pulled in the drive. We tried to sneak little Katie into the back yard so she could “go.” He heard the yelp, came out, took one look at me, went back inside and wouldn’t even speak for two hours. He was so mad. Then he lectured us for another two hours. Not kidding, not exaggerating. An hour after that he was on his knees trying to coax “the baby” to come to grandpa. He adores Katie and has declared himself grandpa because he is Marky’s. And grandpas get to have all of the fun and none of the responsibility!
Two months later my girls gave me Ella for my birthday. We are suckers for a furry face. The puppies are hyper and funny and wake us up way to early in the morning, but we wouldn’t trade what they brought to our family for all the world–a special bond with our soon to be college bound teenager.
Marky and I have spent so many hours caring for Katie and Ella. We have shared responsibilities, trained or attempted to train, laughed, rushed to the vet, and video and texted crazy and adorable pictures to the other kids. The greatest treasure has been just walking. Walking with the dogs. So many nights just walking and talking.
The puppies have brought a bond with my son that surprised me. It is so strange for me the mother of five to have only one child at home. It was so quiet before the puppies. I think the Lord gave us these dogs as a blessing–something for just us. I know the puppies will be a point of connection when Marky moves on to college. Next year I will be sending him pictures and video of our crazy babies.
He will be so excited to come home to Katie and Ella and we will go for a walk and we will talk, again.
I marvel at this gift that came out of nowhere. It has been–truly a gift.
Sometimes a messy gift!
