Family dog

On April 27, 2000, Seth and I welcomed our son, Ryan, into the world.

I didn't have an easy pregnancy. It started with an ulcer and morning sickness and ended with high blood pressure and partial bedrest. Throughout it - especially the bedrest - Abbie was right by my side. When people asked if Seth had gained any sympathy weight, I'd laugh and say, "Of course not." 

Then I'd add, "But Abbie has."

Forever and always, Best Dog Ever.

When we brought Ryan home from the hospital, Abbie was underwhelmed but accepting. If she could have talked, I'm pretty she'd have said, "Not what I'd have chosen, Mom, but since he's ours, I will take care of him."

That's exactly what she did.

One time my mom asked why all the baby pictures included Abbie.

"Well," I joked. "She's still my favorite."

I got in a lot of trouble for that.

I remember one time Ryan and I were sitting on the floor in the kitchen of our rented duplex. I was trying to get him to wave to me. Behind me, I sensed Abbie getting increasingly agitated. Finally, she barked one loud bark. I turned to look at her, and she was waving.

The next time I talked to my mom, I said, "Hey, guess what? The dog is smarter than the kid.

I got in trouble for that, too.

James was born on March 10, 2002.

Abbie was thrilled.

I'm kidding, of course.

By this time, Abbie had learned to appreciate the hugs...

so many hugs!

and forbidden snacks and forbidden snacks that came with small children.

In 2003, we bought a house.

The next year, we got a second dog.

I was hoping she and Abbie would be friends, but the best we ever got was "at least they don't hate each other."

That's not to say that Maggie didn't make Abbie's life better.

She absolutely did.

After James, I'd mostly stopped taking Abbie places with me. There's just so much overhead in getting two small kids packed up and out of the house. Adding a dog to that - even the best dog ever - felt impossible.

But then we had Maggie, and she was a big, strong dog who needed to run.

Dog parks became a thing again.

Abbie loved that.

This is, perhaps, my all-time favorite picture of Abbie and James taken at the Cherry Creek State Park off-leash area in 2007.

My friend Carol...

 and her family's dog, Rasko, often accompanied us on these outings.

Those were good days.

We had so many good days.

Who knew the dog I got when I was a single horse show girl would be so good at raising children?

She really was the Best Dog Ever.

But also, she was getting pretty old.