Paw Prints on My Heart: A Love Story with Four Legs

Pets are such an integral part of our lives. Whether it's dogs, cats, fish, ferrets, birds, guinea pigs, or even hermit crabs (yes, my daughters had those when they were young), pets become like family members. Today we live in a world that's more pet-friendly than ever. At our local wine bar, patrons sit with their dogs beneath the tables, and servers even bring the pups bowls of water as you sip your vino. Many workplaces now allow pets to accompany their employee owners, making for an interesting coworker environment—hopefully everyone uses the appropriate bathroom facilities! What's even more amazing is that American consumers will spend $157 million on their pets in 2025.

Wally in his Christmas jammies!

But it's the personal side of having a pet that always gets me. A few years ago, we became pet "paw-rents"—that's what the kids are calling it now. My daughter and her fiancé have the most adorable French Bulldog named Wally. You may have seen him in a few of my photos because he is definitely photogenic. He has a huge personality packed into a tiny, snow-white body. They travel everywhere with him, complete with all the supplies in tow: his crate with his comfy bed and toys, food (which they moisten and microwave), face wipes, butt wipes, cream for his facial creases, and more! Yes, they essentially have a doggy diaper bag. For now, we're enjoying this first version of a grandchild—especially my husband, who has a serious weak spot for him!

Our Pet Story Timeline

We've had several pets along the way, and they've all had stories associated with them! My husband had a German Shepherd named Gus growing up. I've heard endless stories about how he treed the mailman and tore up the newly installed sod in the backyard. That dog, so I heard, eventually ended up on a farm somewhere...

When I was a kid, we had Missy. We had other dogs and cats along the way—I even had pet anole lizards I named Anne and Avonlea after the Anne of Green Gables books I was reading at the time—but there was no greater pet than Missy. I have so many memories of that black and white collie mix with a broken tail that wagged kind of sideways. She was a really good dog, and at night she would sleep between my legs, trapping me in one position all night! She stayed with us until she was an old girl and had lived her best life.

When my husband and I started our little family, we began with cats. In particular, our first cat was Shadrap Carlos, or "Shad" as we called him. He was a brown and black tabby with medium-length hair, intense eyes, and a pretentious attitude. It was his world, and we were just living in it. We took care of that cat like he was our baby—we even administered IV treatments in our bedroom, with the IV bag hanging from a plant hook in the ceiling. One of us would insert the needle while the other held Shad as he received fluids for his failing kidneys. Because of those bad kidneys, he crossed the rainbow bridge one year when the girls were really little, right before Christmas. I was devastated. We still keep his paw print and collar in our display cabinet.

The Challenging Years

For many years, having a dog was just too tough with small children and busy work lives—we tried a few times, but it didn't end well. We had Moose the Dachshund, who nipped at our older daughter's heels and couldn't be left alone due to his terrible anxiety. (A lovely older woman eventually took him in.) Then there was Dory—we should have known with that name—who dug human-sized holes in our backyard. It looked like we were starting a graveyard business.

Then Came Cooper

My favorite picture of Cooper (left) and Ryley (right)

But then came Cooper. Cooper is my husband's dog. I mean, we intended for him to be the family dog, but in the end, those two became best buddies. I'm sure it happened naturally since my husband has always been outnumbered by girls in our house, so the two dudes bonded.

Over the years, we've all had to endure watching their love fest: Cooper licking my husband's face (and head) in shows of undying devotion, Cooper sitting on my husband's lap as they watch football games together, and of course, my husband sneaking him treats because Cooper is a terrible treat beggar who knows exactly where the treats are stored. He actually stands next to the drawer and scratches at it until you open it and give him a treat! He's going to be 13 this year, so we know his time with us isn't long now. I dread that day because I don't think my husband will handle it well at all.

The Bittersweet Reality

This week got me thinking a lot about pets because my brother and sister-in-law had to put down their elderly dog. She was a wonderful dog they originally fostered, and she had been there with them through many of life's trials and tribulations. Sadly, they had to break the news to my 7-year-old twin nephews. I wasn't there, but I can only imagine how difficult that conversation was. Hopefully, they'll have good memories like I do of Missy.

I wish we could share all our pet stories—I could tell you about my dog Ryley, who is such a cuddler but is now struggling with hip dysplasia, which is tough to watch in a middle-aged dog. But overall, we have pets because they bring us joy and the most unconditional love. I know that Cooper and Ryley won't be our last pets, but I also know that when they go, it will be like losing family members.

What pet stories do you have to share? I'd love to hear about the furry, feathered, or scaled family members who have touched your hearts.