For most of my life I have had cats and right up to the age of 50, I would have told you I was a cat person, through and through. My husband, Gary, is definitively a dog person, but for years declined to adopt a dog because we were both working long hours and he didn’t think it was fair to leave a dog alone all day. But in 2011, with Gary retired, we started to think seriously about getting a dog, “for Gary and the kids”. Our 15-year-old son, Nick, was thrilled about the possibility, but posed an added complication, as he has asthma and is allergic to dogs. I did a little research on hypoallergenic options and suggested a goldendoodle. “GOLDENDOODLE???” Nick said. “I don’t want a foofy, poofy poodle-y dog. I want a big, tough, manly dog!” Never-the-less, when I saw an ad in the local paper for Goldendoodle puppies, I asked Gary to take Nick to see them, guessing that a puppy would soften Nick’s resolve. Thirty minutes later the text message “Where’s the check book” told me my hunch had been correct.
A few weeks later, during Christmas break, Bear joined our family, and immediately won all of our hearts. When he wasn’t exploring or playing, he spent most of his first week with us sleeping on Nick’s chest. I was still working long hours, so I didn’t get to hang out with Bear as much as Gary and the kids, but the joyful greetings I got every time I came home, and unconditional and enthusiastic dog love he offered were addicting and nothing like the aloof cat “love” I was used to. I quickly had to admit I could no longer claim to be a cat person who had gotten a dog just for the rest of the family. I adored Bear as much as everyone else and treasured spending time with him! Bear, and then Bella when she joined us a year later, became my regular running buddies, and dog-hug-therapy became my go-to, for all the bumpy parts of raising teenagers and life. The dogs have greatly enriched our lives and I can no longer imagine life without dogs. Bear, who loved everyone, and who everyone loved, was with us 12 wonderful years but earlier this month, just after his 12th birthday, we had to say goodbye. We are heart broken and miss him every day. He will live in our hearts forever!
