Life's Surprises

Last Monday, November 24, we surprised our two children with early Christmas presents: two male Cocker-Bichon puppies. I don't know who was more excited about this..my husband and I or the kids. Part of me thinks it was us...I always wanted a puppy when I was a child, but knowing my parents were not/are not dog/cat/fish/hamster/pet people I knew not to ask for a puppy.

About a year after I graduated from college, in 1995, after I had settled into my first apartment, I went to the Humane Society in St. Louis and picked out my very own puppy. I will always remember the song I heard on the radio, driving home with her in my lap. "I'm in love with you baby and I don't even know your name" the country star sang in his twangy voice.

I ended up naming her Blossom, after a little known song by James Taylor (my favorite singer/songwriter) called "Blossom." The soft guitar and soothing voice of JT still bring a smile to my face whenever I hear him singing it and I think of Blossom "smile some sunshine down my way. Lately I've been lonely. Blossom it's been much too long a day. Melt my cares away."

Blossom and I shared many years together; many addresses (we lived at 8 addresses from 1995 through 2006); many tears; many heartbreaks; a little "big" brother for her (Molson, our Golden Retriever is now 9 1/2); and two babies (Lego Boy and Princess Sunshine).

B, as I so often called her, passed away just over two years ago. It was the hardest decision in my life, and the worst day I have ever experienced. Our kids still remember her and talk about her in Heaven with her dog-cousin, Devlin, often. Princess Sunshine regularly gets "slug Bugs" for her as we drive through our town. I have B's ashes in an urn in my china cabinet. I say hi to her and tell her I love her when I'm in there. I'll miss her for the rest of my life...

But now, back to the puppies. I captured the reveal on video Monday evening. The kids were so excited. We were able to make a dream of theirs come true. On Tuesday evening, we decided upon names...Boomer is the bigger of the two, and Rascal is the smaller. Both names are quite fitting.