Happy because who doesn't want to see their child happy?
But sad because Michael - my husband- loved dogs, always wanted one, and wanted his sons to have one. But our lives never lent itself to it - we didn't live in the right kind of place, we didn't have a fence, we traveled too much - and so he never had a dog during the time we were married.
A silly regret, and perhaps about something that would not matter one bit now, for not a thing would be different. But a regret, nonetheless.
But then happy again, because his boys are delighting in these dogs, are marveling at the wonder of a fellow creature who will welcome them, be embraced, be friendly companions in the adventures of the day. Somehow, as the boys and the dogs make friends, I sense - hope? - that they are not alone.
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Dogs connect with everyone, and they do not judge you based on how old you are or where you are from
I had a yellow lab for almost 13 years. I watched her being born when I was in the AF and living in VA; 8 weeks later she moved across the driveway to live with me in my house. Almost 13 years, one major career change, two graduate programs, 8 addresses, 5 states, and one adopted-cat-as-playmate later, she slipped quickly and unexpectedly away. I don't regret a minute of having her as my best friend - and I still think that no outfit is complete without dog hair.
Amy, these are some of the most wonderful pictures of "little boys and their dogs" that I have ever seen. I laughed and cried when I saw them. They're adorable!! Some people have "baby radar" I have "dog radar." I'll see a picture collage of 50 couples with children and I see the lone dog picture in the set first LOL ;-).
I always said that sharing life with a dog radically changed my spiritual life - for the good. I think she modeled what God wants to be for us: to totally invade our personal space without totalizing it, to miss us while we're sleeping, (or getting the mail, or traveling), to be near us and love us and accept us without condition, etc. I also thought she taught me what we are to be for God: a creature fully alive, glorifying God simply by our existence.
As they say, dogs teach us there is a God. Cats teach us we're not Him. ;-)
Stay safe, enjoy, and keep capturing life in words and pix.
t.
Amy, I am enjoying your photos and stories of being in Italy with your children very much. Thanks for sharing these with us and continue having a safe and enjoyable trip!
To Bill Bannon...I always loved the bit about the dog in Tobit. We don't get much talk about dogs in the Bible.
Joanie D
Yes it is rare. And remember that God spelled backwards is dog....and He knew English would be widespread so He must like them alot so He arranged that they would be related to His name ;)
The Christian monk Xanthias once said: "A dog is better than I am, for he has love and does not judge.
The last picture is especially beautifull. God bless.
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