Gideon, we love you more and more every day.

I have to admit that I can easily, while channel surfing, get sucked into watching Animal Planet, especially when they do those shows on Humane Society teams around the country helping animals in need. Now granted, we are a family who purchased an AKC pure-bred from a breeder (so I can't claim to be one of those people who did the "right thing" by adopting a pet bound for euthanasia), but we got our Gideon with the same intent as any other pet owner . . . to love our pet as we would any family member. Our boy is such a good boy. He has taken on a rather docile nature, thanks in part to being in a house of two girly-girls who would rather snuggle than wrestle. I snapped this picture of him lying on my bed, spoiled boy that he is.

I was so not into adding a pet to our home, knowing the work and expense that one would be. But Harleigh had always wanted one, so I took the plunge. And I'm glad I did. We have the greatest dog in the world. (And that is, indeed, a biased mother speaking.)