Change of Heart...

Most of you know that we have a beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever named Raleigh. Raleigh Spartan Pollock, to be exact. Of course, Raleigh because it's the home of the Wolfpack and Spartan because that's UNCG's mascot (where I went to college). He had to have a full name because he was bred and is AKC registered. He will be 8 years old on April 22nd.

We got him a year after we were married when he was only 7 weeks old, although we hand picked him just after he was born. They painted his "toenails" pink and put our name down for him. What a cute little puppy he was! That is until he started chewing the door frames, eating our underwear, and destroying pretty much anything else he could get ahold of. I loved him even then. He was my baby until my real baby came along. Then, nesting got the best of me and I couldn't stand the dog hair so Raleigh no longer got free run of the house. He grew bigger and bigger while his space got smaller and smaller through the years.

I must add that this was my decision, not David's. David has always considered Raleigh to be his 1st son! I'll never forget the time I woke up at 4am and David wasn't in bed. I walked downstairs to find him fast asleep on the couch with tiny Raleigh asleep on his chest. He said, "Raleigh was crying." I remember thinking, "Oh, what a good Daddy he'll be!"

Raleigh finally grew out of the puppy stage and has truly been the best dog ever! He obeys, is great with the boys, and even knows a few tricks. Recently, I read the book Marley, Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. I've wanted to read it for years and finally got around to it. I have now had a change of heart. Raleigh once again has free run of the house! The book was almost an exact replica of our life with Raleigh. It was so good and it made me laugh and cry (ALOT!). But, most of all, it made me appreciate and love Raleigh even more! I guess it made me realize that we really don't have that much time left with him and I want my family to enjoy every minute of it. I have to admit that it makes me so happy to see him lying in the living room floor with Carter on one side and Cooper on the other. The boys love it, too! Carter is excited to have Raleigh lay beside his bed. They are having so much more fun playing with him now inside instead of just outside. I'll bet you can't guess who is the happiest of all...I'll give you a hint...he has 4 legs! How could I not give us all this wonderful opportunity?!?