When Mary and I discussed the prospect of moving in together I never knew that it would come with conditions. Often the conditions are complicated and serious in nature. Marriage, more kids, a new house, moving cities are of the “we better sit down and discuss this” variety. Not me. My Mary had a simple request. She wanted two dogs.

Seems easy on the surface. Go select a couple of pooches, buy some food, beds and toys and welcome them to the family. Even for a non-dog guy like me, I could make that happen, right?

They are cute and they are destructive. They cuddle and they bite your ankle. They shock you with their compassion and then they take a whizz on your foot. They are complicated and no one really wants to deal with their complications. The kids always say, “I will look after them, walk them, clean up after them”. Blah, blah, blah. Now I am not claiming to be the family resource for the pups. I am simply a help to Mary’s passion to making sure the dogs are loved but it really needs to be a team effort.

We have a plan, the kids will be with us for 12-13 years and so will these pups. After that, Mary and I ride off into the retirement sunset together. Maybe dogs will be a long term part of my life for the long haul after that too.

Marco