I woke up with drool on my pillow this morning. I wouldn't have minded except it wasn't mine. The alarm clock rang, I reached over to turn it off, and then as I laid my face back down on the pillow I felt the wet, slimy drool on my pillow case. I opened my eyes and saw a smiling, panting, furry face gazing down at me. I tried to get up but she was too fast. My face was suddenly covered in kisses with one slurp going straight up my nostril and another right in my ear. I laughed, reached out, picked up the 8 pound love machine and held her away from my dripping face. It was just another morning in a life with dogs.

Why do we welcome these guys into our homes and into our hearts? We know going in that we are most likely going to outlive them and have our hearts broke when they age quickly and pass away after ten to fifteen years. We know going in that there will be vet bills, flea baths, and enough shed fur to make a vacuum cleaner cry. We know going in that our ears will ring from the barking, that we will be picking up poop every single day, and that we will never get to finish a full sandwich again.

Yet, we also know going in that when we are feeling down or blue there will always be a furry head on our lap needing to be petted. We also know that when we get home after a long day's work there will be a happy face at the door waiting for us. We also know that our lives will be full of balls to throw, bellies to scratch, antics to laugh at, and a love and loyalty that will warm our hearts and uplift our souls for all of our days here.

For thousands of years now dogs have been our best friends. They remain one of the greatest gifts God has ever given to us. And even if they can't love us for the rest of our lives, they will always love us for all of theirs. Thank you dear God for dogs.