Day 469

Today was a day when I realized my list of activities had been slightly excessive. Three dog walks, two hours of weeding and then pushing the lawn mower around the yard nearly did me in. When the nightly walks were on the horizon, I almost talked myself out of that final push. Then, I looked into four sets of brown eyes and immediately relented.

Duty and support for loved ones knows no bounds. My heart tells me I would do anything for loved ones. As a mother, wife, grandmother, puppy mama and friend, there are no limits to my devotion.

When Lilly or Ranger accompany me to Walker, we visit with many veterans. Being the proud wife of a Vietnam vet, I have an inside understanding of service. These individuals went off to serve their country and protected millions of faceless Americans without a second thought. Many risked their lives (and some lost them) to shield what they held dear. To most, their country was viewed as an extended family that must be protected from harm. Now, that is devotion!

Most of us will never be called to protect our nation, but we can certainly understand the need to protect and provide for those we hold dear. I only need to look as far as my feet to see my four-legged kids...who hold my heart and devotion in their sweet paws.

So, tonight, I push myself out of my comfy chair to place the collars around those precious pups. Devotion and love are strong forces in this world. If you don't believe it, ask my Goldens or...better yet...ask a veteran.