Day 1:

After the entirely-too-long drive home from the airport, Jim and I planned the reunion of him and the dog. We decided to reunite them in the backyard after remembering how puppies get the squirts when they’re excited. As I ran in to let Shooter out into the backyard, Jim hid behind the trash can. Shooter immediately knew something was up because he shot out the door to the side gate. Normally if he knew someone was out there, he would start barking like mad and threaten to take their leg off, but he knew. He just knew. Jim came out from behind the trash can and there it was again; the familiar wag of our puppy’s tail and the shake of his hiney. He was back. Our puppy was happy again.

Seeing them kiss each other was the best thing in the whole world. I started gushing inside. It was priceless. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well, check the pic above.

They were adorable. My two boys were so happy. They played and played. I do honestly think Shooter is catching up on his sleep still. They rolled around in the yard and after the two sweaty boys came in, nap time was on the schedule. The next fifteen days went by entirely too fast for these two. Day after day, up on the bed before we woke and in between us at night. These two were inseparable. Every time I would look out into the backyard to see them playing, it would break my heart. It is impossible to know the bond between these two.

There is a special bond between a dog and his owner. Jim and Shooter have a different kind of bond then Shooter and I have together. Jim and Shooter are always so jumpy and playful. They never run out of energy for each other...and Shooter and I sort of have this understanding. We love each other to pieces, but we do not kiss on the mouth. As you see in this picture, they do! J

But really, can you say you are this attached to your dog? There was no doubt in my mind that Shooter would have forgotten who Jim was since he had been gone for six months. After seeing this reunion, I believe that dogs never forget the people who really care for them. We got Shooter when he was about four months old. He was little, yes, but I think God sort of starts their memory over again when they are happy. He lets them remember the good after the bad and then the good begins to take the place of the bad. I couldn’t imagine Shooter in a more loving atmosphere than ours. He has not only made a place in our hearts but we have made a place in his. He will never forget the way Jim plays nor will he ever forget the way he cuddles with me.

What I would do for these two; melded into my heart forever.