We still miss him

Juno and her brother, Valentine. I suppose by the time I see her next, she'll be bigger. I think I'm going to have to go visit her really soon. A baby girl - with fur - close enough.

**SPOILER ALERT** Okay, who told me to see Marley and Me?! I bawled my head off, the scene where they **SPOILER ALERT** bring him in to be put to sleep? It was awful! I almost ran out of the room but I kept telling myself that it was just a movie, calm down - but having been there, it was completely accurate! Hubby and I were a mess. I only put it on because I thought it was a lighthearted comedy! A miscarriage, 4 positive pee sticks, 3 kids later, and a death scene for the dog, yeah, great. I have to admit, I must be in a good place because I could not have watched this 2 months ago. It did remind me of all the good times we had with Samps, he wasn't nearly the furniture destroyer like Marley. He was a calm and peaceful dog who loved running in the woods. Small saplings didn't stand a chance, but the couch was safe. Truly, like the film, our family started with him. He never got to welcome a child as part of his pack. Sad, but true. We poured love into him and he gave it back threefold. I thought about all the good times we shared down at dog beach, his joy of running into the water, picnics at Spanish Banks, even his fear of storms. Omg, I am never watching that movie again.

DH took me to the Sampson tree. It was on a trail that I've never been to. Figures. I would never think of walking there. Well, any safety conscious woman would never walk there. It's not part of the regular trail system. You have to cross fallen trees and makeshift bridges to cross over mucky pools. Root laden and overgrown paths, old makeshift shelters used by whomever. But hubby and his buddy and the dogs would hang out and smoke and discuss man things. He showed me how his friend climbed on top of his shoulders to put up the plaque, told me how Sampson, Moose and Charlie would play. Man, we both miss that dog so bloody much. Now Samps wouldn't have been overly fond of Juno and her sharp puppy teeth, but he would have loved and protected her anyway. He always stuck up for the little guy.

Juno has come at the right time for us. We'll get to experience the times we never had with Big Boy. DH will get to use his Cesar Milan tricks and we'll fight about leash or no leash. We should expect a human baby really soon cause that would be our luck, hubby says. Fine by me.