In order to grow...we need each other

Oh my gosh, doesn't this picture just make you smile? I know it does me. Sadly, I don't remember the puppy's name and Mary isn't home to ask so for today, she is "puppy".

We all need someone. When Mary was a peanut she wanted a puppy, as most kids do. This is her first pup, a cute little beagle. She loved that little dog and the dog adored her but at the same time, the puppy was too much energy for even this adorable and active toddler. Although they loved each other and enjoyed their time together, neither understood when it was time to take a break from each other.

Mary wanted to play but this purebred puppy wanted to hunt. What to do? This was one of our first "difficult" parent decisions. We had a choice. We could continue to watch the cute times between child and her puppy and ignore the rough play times that harbored potential for injury OR we could take a proactive approach.


We chose the proactive road. Neither Mary or her little puppy saw the times of conflict as a risk but as parents, we did. In order to foster this new relationship with healthier boundaries, we found the puppy a new home. Mary cried as she watched the eight-year-old boy climb from his daddy's pick-up for his new puppy but then she amazed us.

Mary leaned down and kissed the puppy on the nose. "I love you. Be good for him. I don't think he has a blanket for you to chew so you will have to chase rabbits." Although she didn't want to give her puppy away, she understood the reason. The puppy ran to the boy instantly and they chased each other around the yard while the parents talked and Mary watched from the window.

As the truck pulled out the driveway I told Mary, "Wave good-bye to the puppy." She looked at me and with the innocence and sweetness of a child, "I'm tired." and she went in and laid on the couch. Priceless.

Sometimes there are unhealthy situations and/or relationships in our life. While it might be a difficult decision or hurt for a time, safety and joy are a priority. Have you ever made a difficult decision only to have confirmation afterwards that you made the right decision? did you hit yourself on the forehead and say, "Duh, why did I wait so lone?"

I think we have all been there. Feel free to share below.