Dogs

Growing up, I always wanted a dog. I used to sing the "How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?" song with more feeling than you've ever heard before. (Incidentally, did you know there are like four verses to that song? Check it out.)


When I turned 16, my dreams finally came true, and my cousin Andrea came over with a brand new puppy. We named him George, and he's been a faithful friend ever since.

Even though my doghood began in my teens, it made a huge difference in my life. Sarah read a journal entry from a few weeks after George came along, and she laughed at what I had written: "It's springtime, and I have a new dog. My spirits are renewed!"

But think about it: dogs are perfect for kids and even teens. They teach responsibility, and they offer a good example of unconditional friendship without judging or anything else. And, according to the CDC, they can even make you healthier!

With all that in mind, I decided it was high time Madeline had a dog of her own. She's almost 6 weeks old, after all. Unfortunately, our landlord doesn't allow real dogs, but I wasn't going to settle for something lame like a goldfish. So instead, I found Chester:


Isn't Madeline a lucky girl?