I’m very lucky to be able to work from home. It means I’m around for the kids, on good days and on sick ones. I also means that my husband doesn’t have to worry about taking time off from work for other household emergencies. But a number of years ago, when the kids went to school, I began to get lonely and my husband suggested we get a dog.
I was hesitant. I hadn’t grown up with any pets and wasn’t even sure how to take care of one. But once the kids heard that we were thinking about it, they were all in. A few months later, we found a dog at a shelter and the kids named him Donut.
Donut, a blue heeler (with something else mixed in) had been abandoned somewhere in southern Virginia and rescued by my sister-in-law. When we went to pick him up, he was thin, tired, and nervous. He had worms, parasites, and even Lyme disease. But in spite of all that, he still came right up to us and put on his best impression of a family dog by licking our hands and sitting politely. He even posed, trying to look noble.
I was smitten and we took him home (and to my brother-in-law who is a vet) to start taking care of him.
Donut lives a wonderful life. He’s surrounded by family members and neighbors who adore him. He gets to sleep at my feet all day while I write. And he patiently endures the overwhelming love of two teenagers. When he’s home alone with me, he runs around outside, chasing squirrels and birds before taking one of his many naps. But when the kids–or the kids’ friends–are around, he submits to being carried EVERYWHERE.
ALL THE TIME.
I don’t know that much about dogs, but I do think it’s a bit odd that a dog would let himself be carried instead of running around and sniffing the ground. He could easily spend 2-3 hours a day in someone’s arms (not mine), and never complains. Maybe it’s because he suffered for so long on his own. Or maybe he really doesn’t mind. Or maybe he understands that teenagers’ emotions are fickle–over the top one day, cold and distant the next–and (like me) he doesn’t want to miss out on the former.
Either way, there’s no doubt in my mind that Donut made his way into our hearts and home with a little bit (maybe a lot ) of divine help. Maybe God knew that when my kids became teens they’d need a safe place to put all of their bubbling emotions and He decided that Donut would be exactly what they needed. And considering the patience Donut shows with them, I have no doubt Donut the Family Dog was in on the plan.
And as a tired mom of teenagers, I will always be grateful.
Now I’d love to know if you have stories of a favorite pet you’d love to share!
Thank your for spending the day with us. Below is a link of my Golden Heart sisters who are participating in today’s blog party.
Hope to see you next month!
Contemporary romance Tamra Baumann – Priscilla Oliveras | Romantic suspense Carol Post
All photographs courtesy of Sharon Wray and Joseph Wray.
Copyright 2016 Sharon Wray
What a good dog, Sharon! Perfect for your kids. Isn’t it amazing how we often get the pets we need.
I agree, Kay. I really fought against getting a dog because I knew I would end up as the primary caretaker. But every day I tell Donut how happy I am to have him as a part of our family. We’re very lucky.
I enjoyed your post, Sharon. Our pets are such great company, aren’t they? I love all the pics of Donut with the kids. I think it’s awesome that you guys rescued him, even with all of his physical issues. Donut was really blessed to land in a home like yours.
Thanks, Carol. We’re blessed as well and I think the kids are going to have a tougher time leaving Donut than us when they go to college. 🙂
Such sweet pix, Sharon, as always! Okay, I just have to know… why did the kids name him Donut?
Because unbeknownst to me (at the time) my kids and my husband had been watching the Simpsons and they loved how Homer’s life revolved around donuts. I wanted to our dog Dobby (after the house elf in Harry Potter) but I was shot done 3-1. Dobby, while a favorite character around here, wasn’t as funny as donut. But it’s worked out well. He’s put on so much weight over the years that he’d turning into a donut. 🙂
Donut sounds like a lucky dog! Your family seems like the perfect family for him and vice versa. 🙂 My Addi has been a great companion since my youngest went off to college. She seems to know when I’m upset and need a little cuddling or when I’m ready to run around and use up some energy. And of course, she is always ready to nap in the backyard with me– though I haven’t gotten her on the hammock with me. I’m not sure how that would work out, but I’m thinking we’d both end up on the ground below the hammock! 😉
Oh my gosh, Priscilla. If we had a hammock, Donut would never get out of it! I think he’d swing and sleep all day in the sun. Then the kids would join in and pretty soon we’d all be living in the back yard. I’d love to meet Addi. She seems like the most wonderful dog ever. 🙂
Great post, Sharon!
Animals have always been my go-to. I’m not a crier, but I can’t remember a time when I did cry and a loving pet didn’t crawl into my lap or onto the bed to lick my face or just snuggle. My current boy, Bear, is a rescue cat who turns fifteen this month. When I’m writing, he’s either in my lap, or behind the computer. Sadly he’s having health issues that color my days with worry. What I find wonderful though, is the way he’s seeking me out for comfort as I’ve always sought him. We’re doing way more lap time these days, and I’m consciously storing the memories for when he’s gone.
I’m so sorry to hear that Bear is having health issues. And I agree that he needs your comfort as much as you need his. I hope you still many many days (and manuscripts) together! And I’d love to see a picture of Bear some time!
Donut is so cute, as are your kids! I heart this post 🙂 Animals are God’s way of gifting us with undying love and devotion in one small, adorable package.
Thank you so much, Jacquie. I totally agree that animals are God’s gift. I can’t imagine what our family would be like without Donut!