The Dog Days Are{n't} Over

We had been dog-less for almost a year and a half when we decided we might be ready to take the leap into dog ownership again. It was a big decision. To say we still missed Bailey would be an understatement; almost two years later I still think about her several times a day and miss her intensely. Losing her left a little empty space in my heart that I think will always be there. But we are dog people and our house just wasn't the same without a golden to complete our family. I filled out an application with the group I volunteer for and we waited. We were picky about what we wanted: a male, middle-aged, proven to be good with kids. So it took awhile, but in late November we found him, or he found us, or however you want to phrase the acquisition of a rescue dog. He came from a family with a very young daughter who had to give him up for legitimate reasons, yet he came to us skinny, unvaccinated, and covered in fleas. His name is Wyatt.

He is different from Bailey in every way. Bailey was blonde, shy, an alpha dog, totally lazy and unathletic, and didn't like strangers, kids, or other dogs. Wyatt is red, loves everyone and everything, and is one of the fastest and most agile dogs I think I have ever seen.

Brian bonded with him way before I did, but I actually think Wyatt bonded with the kids before he bonded with Brian or me. I guess it's because he came from a home with little ones, or maybe it's just his personality, but he is completely comfortable with them. If you give him a bone, he'll actually choose to go lie down where the kids are playing and chew it, rather than try to get away from all the commotion of two almost-three-year-olds. It totally blows my mind.

This is not to say that he's perfect: He is excitable, he jumps up on you, he's not good on a leash and almost pulls me down when I try to walk him, and he's got the longest tongue ever and loves to lick you with it. Yuck. But, like I said, he loves our kids. And everyone else he meets. It is a very strange thing for us, to have the doorbell ring and a dog who runs to the door, not barking, just happy and excited to see who's waiting on the other side.

The kids love him, although they like to act like they don't. They'll tell him to get out of their room, etc., but the minute he's gone they ask where he is. Jensen loves to feed him and give him treats.

And lie on top of him.

And roll around in the grass with him.

To put it simply, he's just a really good boy. I trust him completely with the kids, and I can't even explain what a big deal that is. Plus, this is now my view on walks:

Our family is complete.