Day 19

Today I am thankful for our dog...even though most days I complain about her. She sheds like crazy, she barks and wakes the girls, and she has terrible allergies that leave her itching and biting so often times I am extremely annoyed with her. However, these things are small compared to what she brings to our family. Tonight the girls were playing tug-o-war with her...a game that usually only Mark is allowed to play since it can get rough. Daisy was so gentle, letting the girls pull her around the house, pulling them back just enough to give them a laugh. She has always been so gentle with them, even when she is mistreated. When they were babies the girls would climb on her, pull out handfuls of her hair, step on her and she always would just get up and move. When we go on walks she is always excited for people to pet her, but when we are with the girls she gets nervous and always steps between them and sizes them up before she lets anyone near them. And though I don't like when she barks, it offers a sense of comfort knowing that if someone comes near our house, she always lets us know. She is gentle and sweet and though I would never fully trust any animal with my children, she calms you when your upset, she cheers you up when you are lonely, and she offers a sense of protection when you are nervous. Somedays she is the girls' best friend and when she isn't, she is still faithfully waiting for them when they need her.