Best Friends

Last night, I was holding Heath while I was watching tv. All of a sudden, I began to think of all the times we had spent together. I thought about the day we adopted him and how he came right up to us at the shelter, almost like he was picking us out as his new parents. I thought about the ride home when Matt and I tried to name him and finally settled on Heath. Heath was scared during that ride home. It was understandable, he didn't know us and we were taking him to a strange new place.

I'll never forget giving him his little collar with a tiny bell on it and how proud he was of it. When we first brought Heath home, our house was newly renovated and we had decided we didn't want animals living inside. I stayed with him most of the night but eventually went inside and went to bed. The next morning, I walked outside and couldn't find him. I was immediately scared and began to call him. After a short time, I heard his little bell and he came out from under our house. I'm guessing he spent the night under there. I was so relieved that my new friend had not run away!! Shortly afterwards, about a month, I finally talked Matt into letting me move Heath inside. He's been a spoiled little prince ever since.

I started thinking about the time when I was the most sickest I've ever been. I had a horrible kidney infection and after an emergency trip to the after hours clinic, a shot, and tons of pain and nausea, I finally settled on the couch very late that night. Matt went to bed and I tried my best to sleep. Heath never left my side. He slept on the top of the couch, right beside me. He gave me comfort at one of the worst times in my life. I truly believe he was doing everything he could to take care of me. Just watching over me was pretty much all he could do, but it meant more than anything to me.

I thought about how it makes my day/night when Heath sleeps beside me and snuggles with me in the morning. I love nothing more than taking a nap with my Heath. We love sleeping on our couch with our special blanket that smells like us.

I really love being the one who feeds him breakfast every morning. I love how he always "talks" to me when I ask if he is hungry or if he wants breakfast. He never wants to miss a meal!

I suppose it just all flooded back to me last night. All the wonderful memories with Heath and how much we have been through together in the last six, almost seven, years. Had I ever known that he would be my best friend, I would've been looking forward to meeting him my whole life. I just couldn't ask for a better friend. I truly love him with all my heart. Just this afternoon, when I got home from work, he came and sat in my lap. I love how he can't wait to sit with me when I come home. It's as if I have been away for a very long time and he genuinely misses me.

I also started to think about my sweet Cam. He truly is the sweetest dog, ever. The moment we saw him at the shelter, I was so intrigued by him. I had never seen a dog with a coat like his. I think we both knew he was the one for us at the same time. He was so friendly and had the whitest teeth of any dog I had ever seen. We took him home the day before Thanksgiving. I will never forget how much he liked riding in the backseat of Matt's truck. He just took to it as if he had been doing it his whole life.

I had so much fun buying him toys and getting him settled into his new house and kennel. Teaching him to walk on a leash and playing with him was so much fun! We have had the best time with him. He loves riding in the car and he is the perfect dog for playing outdoors. One of my favorite things to do on Saturday mornings is to take him through the drive-thru at Jack's and get him bacon. He really loves that! He absolutely loves going out to the new house to play. He can romp and play and roam free and splash in the pond. Did I mention that he loves water? I think it is the large part of Lab in him. He can play fetch for hours and just watching him run around like a puppy is so much fun to me.

He is always up for playing and he always loves me. While Matt is his master, I'm pretty sure he sees me as a playmate. He is truly one of the smartest dogs I have ever met. His long legs are so funny when he hops through the yard to get his Kong.

I love Cam so much. He has made the best playmate I could ever ask for. He can always make me smile. His sweet face and brown eyes just melt my heart. He is the perfect addition to our family.

So, I have two very best friends. I love them both with all my heart and I know how truly blessed I am to have each of them. They are perfect in every way and I am just grateful that I get to hang out with them every day!