Puppy Love

 I wanted a dog for my whole life.  My parents never let us have any pets.  They always said "five kids is enough."  Then I married this amazing guy, who was never a fan of what he calls "free range" animals.  I thought the day would come when my kids were older when I would have to beg, and negotiate to get a dog "for the kids".   I never thought I would actually be able to have a dog.  When I was in the midst of Postpartum Depression the thought never crossed my mind that I should get a dog, and believe me, I am not recommending that anyone who is struggling and not doing well with PPD add a pet to the family.  Bringing any new creature home into the family can add undue stress, whether intended or not.  My situation turned out to be MORE than ideal, all the pieces fit together beautifully, and our dog Okito, has changed our lives forever.  He is an incredible blessing in our house and has been instrumental in my recovery.  Here is our story.

This is Okito begging for Turkey on Thanksgiving.

 One day last summer my husband came to me and asked what I thought about getting a Labrador Retriever for the kids.  Apparently he had been thinking about it for awhile.  I was shocked.  I never thought I would hear those words out of his mouth.  He thought we should wait a few months, but we should do it soon.  Um...he just gave me permission to go for getting a dog.  I JUMPED ON IT IMMEDIATELY!  I was beyond excited, but had a nagging thought in my mind.  We thought we should get a puppy because we wanted the kids and dog to grow up together.  I was nervous.  I had never had a dog before and knew that I would love one, but had no idea how to go about training and potty training especially.  I was still struggling with potty training my 3 year old at that time!  This was the issue that scared me.  I was afraid the stress of training a puppy would be too much for me on top of dealing with everything else.

What did I do?  I called my younger sister Karen, the dog guru of the family.  She has three Great Danes and has fostered countless dogs.  She is also an animal control officer.  In my opinion, she is fantastic and knows everything there is to know about dogs. The only issue is that she is in Tennessee and we are in New York...minor detail.

Karen was beyond thrilled that we wanted a dog.  I told her that we wanted a Labrador.  Karen just happened to have a friend with a litter of black lab puppies that needed homes.  Then the answer came.  Karen and her wonderful husband Rory volunteered to choose a puppy for us and keep him for a couple of months and train him for us.  I was so relieved.  This was the answer to the ONLY concern I had about getting a dog.  Karen and Rory met the puppies and chose for us the gentlest of the bunch and took him home with them.  A few months later, last October, Karen brought Okito home to us.  He was five months old at the time.  We loved him immediately.  Everyone who has met him are in awe of how well behaved he is.  THANK YOU KAREN AND RORY!!!  He is so sweet and so gentle with my kids.

The kids hanging out with Okito, or "Bido" as my little Matthew calls him.

Now Okito is just a sweet, loving soul. He loves EVERYONE in our family and most everyone he meets.  But...every dog does have one human that he loves a bit more than everyone one else.  I am so blessed to be Okito's one!  There is no healing power like the unconditional love and adoration of a dog.  What Okito has done for me is beyond incredible.  He knows when I am having a bad day, and is always extra lovey just when I need him to be.  He is uber cuddly, even though he is huge.  I love snuggling up with him on the couch for a nap or some quiet time...it is so soothing to me.  He falls all over himself to greet me, even if I just left the house for five seconds.  And when my husband is working late, which is quite often, and the kids are in bed, I am never lonely because Okito is always there.

He has provided the extra push that I have needed to get myself and the kids out in the fresh air more often.  We play in the backyard and go for walks almost every day.  I have lost weight without even trying just from walking the dog and the kids.

I love watching him with my kids.  I love watching them bond.  I love their belly laughs when he acts goofy or jumps in the puddles when we are out walking.   I just love his gentle, soothing soul.  He is an angel in disguise and I thank God for him every day.

I love moments like this!  This is one of my favorite pictures ever!

I love my Okito Burrito