Dear Lucy,

Well, in all my years, I never pictured myself writing a love letter to a dog, but here we are.  Today you turn one.  A year ago today, we received the news that a litter of ten yellow-red Labradors were born and one of the three girls would be ours.  We were filled with excitement and a healthy amount of fear.  None of us had any experience with dogs – let alone puppies! – so we knew we were in for a wild ride.  Just seven short weeks later, you came to live with us forever and the adventure began.  You have taught our family countless lessons in your year with us, but there are three things I’m especially grateful for:

YOU HELPED US GROW AS A TEAM.
Everyone told us that a puppy was a lot of work…and they were completely right.  The potty breaks, the training, the exercising and the playing – SO.MUCH.WORK.  But now looking back, I can see how beneficial that experience was for our entire family.  We became a well-oiled machine, each with a part to play in raising you.  We passed along tips and helped each other out when things got exhausting.  The first words one of us says after taking you out to play is, “Guess what she did/found/got into?”  We swap stories, grinning and shaking our heads at your antics.  Those experiences have bonded our family in a new, stronger way and we have you to thank for that.

YOU GOT US OUTSIDE.
Partly because you were a puppy and partly because you are a Lab with endless energy, we found ourselves outside more than we ever have before.  I have taken you for hikes in the pouring rain because I couldn’t take your craziness in the house for one more minute.  You have played in the snow for hours, right alongside the kids.  We have shivered in the freezing cold and sweated in the blinding heat.  And for all of that, I am grateful.  Now my older boys, who don’t “play” like they used to, have a reason to be outdoors.  You get me out of the house, away from the never-ending to-do list.  We have discovered more of the secrets our property holds because of you: old trees with cool winding branches, a collection of rocks in all shapes and sizes, a hawk’s nest…the list goes on.  It’s totally possible that I would never have taken the time to find these without your insistence to get out in the fresh air.

YOU INCREASED OUR CAPACITY TO LOVE.
I didn’t grow up with pets, so when I would hear stories of the love between an animal and its owner, I would only understand on an intellectual level.  I would hear about people mourning the loss of their pet and would have zero idea what that meant.  It wasn’t that I was heartless, I just didn’t really get it.  Now I do.  I understand why people love their pets so dearly.  I can empathize with people who trust animals more than they do human beings, because dogs are so passionately devoted and loyal and people sometimes aren’t.  Because of you, I can love others in a better, more compassionate way.

The last section in our puppy handbook said it best: “During this first year, she’s probably given you lots of laughs, made you want to tear out your hair, eaten your prize rosebush, and vomited at the foot of the bed.  She’s also probably snuggled with the kids and dried your tears with her big, sloppy tongue while knocking over your favorite lamp with her tail.  Maybe it’s her sense of humor that’s made you love her so much, but you can’t imagine life without her now, and why would you want to?”

We love you, Lucy McGillicuddy, and can’t wait for many more memories to come.  Happy Birthday.
XOXO