Thursday, October 16, 2008

The Most Important Thing in a Child's Life

Yesterday, I had to make a UPS man wait on my porch for a couple of minutes while I readied a shipment. "No problem," he said, "I need a little break." So he sat on the steps, gazing out at my yard and the trees beyond, and Thor laid down beside him. He commented that Thor's a great dog.


I often see my own kids sitting like this with Thor - not just the little guys, but all of them. It reminds me of a book we used to read to them, called "How Fletcher Was Hatched!" Fletcher was a hound whose feelings were hurt because his girl was enthralled with some hatching chicks, so he ran away and had his friend Mr. Beaver build him an egg from which he could hatch. Well, from his egg, Fletcher heard his girl crying, and hatched. He realized that a great hound dog could be the most important thing in a little girl's life, even if he wasn't little and yellow and fuzzy.

Every day, Thor greets every one of his people as if we were long lost friends, and the UPS man's friendship with my dog reminded me of Fletcher.
Happy Thursday to all of you. Now, go hug your animals, and tell them they are the most important thing in your life!

(And for Prudy, these are some of my big kids playing a board game, while Thor plays with his lobster, this summer).

16 comments:

Paula said...

Okay, (*sniff*) I actually got choked up reading this! What a lovely tribute to man's best friend. Don't these lovely creatures embody all the characteristics of what's most important in a friend? Love, loyalty, playfulness, time, concern, and devotion?

Prudy said...

What a big beautiful happy family! I don't remember if I told you or not, but I come from a family of 10 children. I'm number five. We are all still very close, in fact we are all going to Europe together in a couple of weeks. There's nothing like a happy home, filled with loving parents and busy children. What a wonderful way to start life.

Anonymous said...

Don't have to tell me twice! *runs to hug Snoopy* :oD <3

Unknown said...

Well I'm at work now, but I did let Beau climb all over, give me hugs and wipe his slobbery face all over my (once upon a time) white robe this morning - does that count?

Abby got belly rubs, Lucy got hedgy thrown and Dudley stood at the top of the stairs chewing me out. It's all good in our little world. I need to find that book - I think Flecher is right.

Thanks for a lovely post. g

Greg C said...

It's kind of hard for me to hug my fish and I really don't like hugging the cats. They might think I like them. :)

Anonymous said...

Your very precious dog sounds so sweet. I can see how much you and your family love him.

dogquilter said...

Love Thor!! He is a pretty boy and it's great he will make friends even with the guys in uniform too, great tribute to his disposition. He is adorable with his lobster too while hanging out with the rest of the kids.

Peter M said...

Sniff-sniff...send this to the humane society and all the dogs will get adopted!

The Blonde Duck said...

I wish my dogs were nice! They're mean to people. All that socializing crap didn't work on Queen Bitty, ruler of the Pond.

pam said...

That picture of your son with Thor is priceless! I always had a dog growing up, but my husband is allergic, so we have kitties instead.

Anonymous said...

What a sweet story! So true, too. We'll give some extra hugs to stripes our cat (he thinks he's a dog), or maybe take him for a walk outside....on his leash!

Anonymous said...

Well the hermit crab finally bit the dust so I guess I'll hug the kids instead.

Nathaniel Carolina said...

awww, that was cute. :)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

That was one of the most moving posts I have ever read. Dogs love so unconditionally...one of their special qualities.

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Ah Marjie I've just had to run up stairs for some loo roll and blow my nose!! What a lovely post. Chris and I often have a group hug with our cat Poppy. Happy weekend to you and your lovely family - Kisses Kitty

Darius T. Williams said...

Ahh - I totally need a dog. Then I wake up and realize I don't hardly have the time. Thor looks like a great dog though.

-DTW
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