Happy 4th Anniversary to the Love of My Life

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It was four years ago today that Jackdoodle came home. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday; yet at the same time, it seems like we've been together forever. I think that's probably true of all great love stories.
Jack is my best friend, my confidante, my protector, my constant companion, my lastborn child, and my reason for getting out of bed every day. He makes me laugh, cry, walk, run, play, worry, sing, dance, and count my blessings. He has brought me wonderful new friends, new work, new wisdom, and new understanding. He has brought me all of you who are reading this. What blessings he has given me!
It gives me chills to think I almost missed out on all of this! I almost didn't go to the shelter to meet him! I didn't want a big dog, I didn't want a blonde dog, I didn't want a doodle! Fortunately, the Universe knew what I wanted better than I did.
The author Pam Houston wrote "The exact right dog will always come into your life just when you need him most. The world gives us everything we need just when we need it, and when we are really lucky, it takes the form of a big...drippy-nosed dog."
I am really really lucky. My "exact right dog" is sleeping beside me as I write this.
Most of you know that Jack isn't the healthiest dog in the world. He has suffered through lots of things a dog shouldn't have to suffer, and I have suffered with him. But through it all, he remains stoic, and sweet, and cheerful, and good-natured, and loving, and happy to be alive. Jack is my inspiration. I hope to someday live up to the example he sets for all of us: to overlook what is sad and hurtful, and focus more on what is happy and joyful. And there is so much more that is happy and joyful since Jackdoodle came into my life.
Happy Anniversary, my sweet boy. I love you more every single day. Thank you so much for being mine.

[Frannie & Callie]

Happy Anniversary and I wish you and Jackdoodle many more happy years together!!! Also - Jackdoodle has a FANTASTIC doodle nose! So cute!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Happy Anniversary to you both! Funny how they can totally enrich our lives when we just open ourselves up to it. He looks wonderful...healthy and happy. We should do a poll about how many of us close our eyes when we're getting "Doodle Kisses" I never thought of it before, but I think I do.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wishing you many more wonderful years together.

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Aww, very sweet. JackDoodle is very lucky and I agree our dogs are meant to be with us.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

how sweet! thank you for all you contribute to DK! happy anniversary to you and your baby!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Oh how I love that picture of you and Jackdoodle. Hoe LUCKY you both are!! BTW, I will have a mini ALD, but when she gets bigger I would love to come to a doodle romp up in the suburbs sometime. I live in Bloomington, IL but go up to the Chicago area quite a bit. Happy Anniversary, you two.

[TrevorDoodle]

Beautiful Sentiments....Happy Anniversary!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Happy Anniversary! I totally understand everything you said as I feel the same way about my babies.

[Holly Doodle]

How sweet! It's nice to take a moment and think about how much we appreciate our doodles, they really do make life so much more enjoyable! Congratulations!

[Susan]

What a beautiful post! Congratulations on your anniversary!