Who's A Good Girl?!

Day 10 of 30

Today's Topic? Pets.


Dogs are probably the best creatures on the planet.

While both of these dogs are family pets, I still consider them mine too. 

Our first family pet, Morgan, was probably the best dog on the face of the earth. She watched my brother and I grow, loved every person she came into contact with, and was never short on snuggles. 

She loved to be wherever my mom was. She loved us all equally, but she listened to Mom the most. She loved to go for car rides (especially when we were kids and Mom would say "Wanna go get the kids?!) and riding in the motor home. She was a big fan of snuggling and taking care of us, especially when she could sense we were sad. 

In early 2000, Dad came home with some terrible news - that his mom, my Grammy, was very sick. At the time, Morgan was still a puppy so she was gated off in the kitchen. She used all her little strength to get the gate down so she could sit with Dad because he was so upset. She was really good about taking care of our family, and we were sure to take care of her. 

As she got older, she was a little less like her puppy self, but still very loving and attentive. Whenever any of us walked in the door (front or back) she was waiting, tail wagging and ears perked. She had this routine with Dad whenever he got home. She would meet him at the back door, follow him into the living room so he could put his work bag down, then wag her tail and push against him for some love. Every. Single. Day. 

Morgan was a mutt (lab/German Shepherd mix) that we got from the Lowell Humane Society in early 2000. She took to Mom right away, and we knew we had to have her. She was this itty bitty black ball of fur with white spots on her paws and her chest. We brought her to my mom's parents house so they could meet her and they fell in love with her. 

 
 She lived a very loved, full life. We unfortunately said goodbye to her 4 years ago, when she was 14 years old. Not a day goes by we don't think about her. I think about that day often, and how absolutely heart wrenching it was to see my mom in so much pain. She was our protector, our best friend, and our first family pet. Her passing actually led to the next beautiful girl in this post! 

We picked Kyrie up from her foster family 10 months to the DAY we said goodbye to Morgan. Dad had told us when Morgan passed that we were "not getting another dog" - and he was adamant. Well, life has a funny way of working out for us, because he found this beautiful little sass bucket on petfinder.com all on his own! We rescued her from Great Dog Rescue of New England - and have been so blessed ever since. 

Kyrie (pronounced KEER-EE for those thinking it's like the Celtics player... ITS NOT) is such a smart girl. She makes our hearts happy and loves on us every second of every day (mostly Mom and Dad, but when my brother and I visit, she loves on us too!). She will be 4 years old this October, and feels like she's been with our family forever. 

Kyrie has an incredible sensitivity level. She, like every other dog trained correctly and loved wholeheartedly, can sense when there's stress, anger, sadness, or anxiety in the air. She makes a point to snuggle up to whoever it is she's feeling that from, and love us. 

When we went through what we went through last year, Kyrie was there to take care of my mom. Whether it be in snuggles, kisses, or just following her around so she was never alone - she was there. She is so well trained, it's incredible. Morgan was a smart girl of course, as my mom put countless hours into training her (even though she failed puppy school a few times...). Kyrie was no different (well, she didn't fail puppy school... but she does get distracted pretty easily). 

Kyrie's personality certainly makes for entertaining visits. She is very vocal, super sassy, and will be sure to nudge you or paw you if she really wants your attention. She also knows who is who - when I Skype with my parents, she sees me on the computer and her ears perk & her tail wags. 

Dogs are some of the smartest, most intuitive animals who love us unconditionally. They are always sure to love us without reservation or grudges - and enhance our lives SO much. In my next season of life, I hope to rescue a pup of my own and raise them with just as much love as both these girls were/are in my life. 

There's a quote that's been on mugs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, inspirational quotes: Be the person your dog thinks you are. 

Let that sink in. 

Love unconditionally, and without judgement. If something bothers you, walk away from it - or growl, up to you.