Dog Days

I returned home this morning after being away for 2 days and received the most awesome reception from our dog. Lev (the Hebrew word for heart) is a 1 1/2 year old Havanese. He is adorable, scruffy, energetic, incredibly friendly and insanely loving. When I got home, he couldn't contain his excitement. He just wanted to be held and hugged ... by me ... and I felt like a million bucks. My husband and kids also seemed thrilled to have me home and each insisted on having missed me terribly but it quickly became evident that what they had really missed were the things I do for them. Almost immediately after returning home, I set out to pick up a sick child from school and then pick up another one a little later in the day after she missed the bus home. We were supposed to have a lovely dinner with friends tonight but, with a sick child at home, we had to fend for ourselves so, naturally, all eyes turned to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my family very much, I love doing things for each of them and I'd probably feel awful if I felt as though they didn't need me but then there's the dog. One of my daughters is quick to point out that he had probably missed the things I do for him as well but I'm fairly certain that he also missed me for me - he missed my scent, he missed cuddling in the small of my back, he missed the sound of my voice.

I will admit that I was not a lifelong dog lover. I didn't have a dog growing up and I never thought I wanted a dog once I was grown up. It took a chinchilla to help me see the light (a story for another time) - yes, a chinchilla and three kids entering the tween and teen phase. I wholeheartedly believe that no family should consider getting a dog unless the parent who is home most often is desperate to have one and at some point, around two years ago, I started feeling desperate. I guess the looming threat of a home with three teenagers pushed me in that direction. I know we're all delighted with the result. When I come home from work at the end of each day, I am greeted by a dog who gives me no attitude but is simply overcome with happiness over my return home. Funny but I now can't imagine life without a dog. I have a new and deeper appreciation for all the books for children based on their determination to get a dog. Here are two of my newest favorites:

Erica's Perl's winning book for 8-12 year olds will be available in June 2011

Fiona Robertson's treasure is perfect for the K-2 set and their older siblings too. Available now!