More Love – Sue Bidstrup / Great Big YES!

I think there are seasons in life.

Right now, we are in “new dog” season.

Meet Gus.

Here’s what I think. Gus has created more love in our family.

We opened our hearts and we got more – more love, more laughter, more fun, more awareness, more time together huddled around him, new purpose, more smiles.

I think sometimes we feel like we are going to lose something when we open our hearts. We feel like we will lose our security or our time or our ability to control everything.

All of that is true actually, we do lose those things but what we gain is so much more.

More love.

Here are the things that I am grateful for today. The look on my teenage daughter’s face when Gus runs to her after school. The laughter of my kid’s friends as they play fetch with Gus. My husband calling from work to ask about Gus and how he’s doing today. The softness and quietness that comes from holding him on my lap. The way he forces me to slow down. The pitter patter of his feet behind me. The way he looks running in the leaves. Someone to talk to who won’t talk back and is never sassy. Someone who is always happy to see us. Wet kisses and a wagging tail. Unconditional love.

Yes, I have to pick up poop with a little baggy. Yes, he smells like a wet dog when it rains because… he’s a wet dog. I’m starting to think our house may smell a little of wet dog. Yes, he peed on the floor more than once yesterday. Yes, my house is a mess (because I’m spending all my time cuddling the dog). Yes, it’s cold outside when we go for walks in the early morning.

But I don’t even care about any of that.

I’ve got more love to keep me warm.

I am grateful for Gus.