The Joy of Fur Children

I am always looking for new places and things to do with my four children. Before I continue, my children are my pets – the four-legged variety. Many of you understand this as well as appreciate it and will completely "get" what I mean when I talk about their safety, welfare and health.

I didn't meet the man of my dreams until well into my 40's, so the opportunity to have two legged offspring was a moot point. So, what's a girl to do – adopt!

I am the proud mother of four rescue dogs – Jessie Mae, a 14-year-old yellow lab, Jackson Brown, a 5-year-old chocolate standard poodle, Dixie, a 3-year-old standard poodle, and Rocket, a 1.5-year-old chocolate parti standard poodle. Yes, I like the breed. They are wicked smart, fun, affectionate and learn quickly. I'm not the perfect pet parent, nor do I try to be. My Jackson has a very annoying habit of jumping on visitors to our home, and when a 70-pound dog whose nose reaches countertops jumps on you, depending upon your height, you could be nose to nose. Its just Jackson's way of saying hello, but its nonetheless obnoxious to those who don't welcome it. Anyway, getting back to my original thought, my pets are my kids and I am always trying to find new things for them to do, much like mothers around the world; we want their brains and muscles stimulated to be used to their fullest capacity.

We live by the lake, as most of you reading, do. Having grown up by a beach, the water feels like home to me. My dogs, being my offspring, certainly aren't much different. I attribute the fact that my 14 year old lab is in such great health because of her daily runs on the sand. Because this morning was so absolutely glorious, I took the opportunity to explore a new beach. Honestly, I felt like I was in the Cape again.....the sand was shadowed by tall grasses, the water pounded with its vibrant concerto, the wind blew our faces and fur-resulting in yet another heart warming experience where I look at my fur kids and have to hold my heart to contain its fullness. THIS is what life is about – the purest form of simple joy – to see our children running balls out; romping and playing in the surf, digging in the sand, playing to their hearts content. Truly, not much different than human children, is it?