Life Like Mine

A few weeks ago, I came across the blog Life Like Mine, written by Kelley Baldwin, a humor columnist from a small-town Ohio newspaper. 

Indeed, her life is like mine: a few months ago, she lost her beautiful golden retriever Chaser in the exact same way we lost Bailey. It was sudden and harsh, and like me, she was devastated. 

Now I read that her family has adopted a new dog. They didn't want to at first, thinking it was too soon. But when a golden needed a home, they decided they needed a golden. 

I am unaccountably happy for them. And for the dog, Bear, who has found a family to love. 

Frankly, getting another dog is all I think about. Is it disloyal? I hope not. Somewhere, there's a dog who needs to be in my life as much as I need him or her. But not right now. Rumors still swirl about an upcoming move overseas, and until we know for sure where we'll be in a few months, we shouldn't get a dog. 

I keep telling myself that. 

And then there's this: 

And as I made the return trip home, looking down to see a golden head lying in my lap and big, beautiful brown eyes staring back up at me with such love and trust, I knew in that moment I had made the right one.

I can't wait until my life is like hers again.