n o s t a l g i a . . .

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” ~  Charles M. Schulz

"Mom, we got a polar bear!" These were the first words out of Jordan's mouth the morning we picked Davin up from the airport. He was a bouncy bundle of snow white fur with a wet, cold, black nose and it was love at first site. He would be ours to raise; with us 24/7 over the next two years, when Jordan would then give him back to Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

And for those next two years he did go with us everywhere: to the store, the movies, school functions, soccer games, etc. He sat under our table at meals, road close beside us in the car and he was just about the best dog ever. And then we had to give him back. It was so hard on Jordan, and yet such a wonderful gift of giving. He was trained, assigned, and sent off to Canada to guide. We all cried at his graduation, but were so proud of both him and Jordan. Months pasts, we all got back to normal, and then one day we got the call, he was having some health issues and they were retiring him and did we want him back?? Absolutely. So he came back to us, he came home. 

The health problems disappeared once he was back home with us and I will always believe he just missed Jordan and all of us too much. He settled into a great "dog" life, all 108 pounds of him. He could now play fetch (although he could never really catch a ball well), he could sleep on Jordan's bed and he could eat French fries out of our hands (all things he was not allowed to do while training). He watched as Jordan headed off to college and was then stuck at home with us old people. But he was getting old too and he was ready to settle down. He was the very best dog. Really. . . the very best dog. He lived to be almost 14. And the day he died is one of the few times I have seen my husband cry. 

These photos were taken in 2006 on the Oregon Coast. He loved the beach. Did I mention he was the very best dog?

See the silver lining here? I had not looked at these photos of sweet Davin for years. I hope you will bear with me from time to time as I get a bet nostalgic. . . 

Hope you Monday is a good one, 
xxoo