Did you know that about 39 percent of the households in America have a canine addition to the family?  That’s over 43,000,000 American households and around 77.5 million dogs that have found a special place in the hearts of their owners!  Dogs are definitely man’s best friend.

Daisy

I have two dogs, both from the pound, that have proven to be the most amazing blessings in my life.  Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the amount of essays, exams, and assignments that I am responsible for each week.  Suddenly, driving, sifting through endless stacks of college letters, preparing to write for scholarships, and considering my options for life after high school has been thrown into the already chaotic mix.  I come home each day feeling exhausted and drained of all motivation, until I feel the little wet noses nudging my hands.  I feel the warm breath of my favorite fury friends on my arm as they beg for love.  Throwing down the burden of my backpack, I collapse on the floor and let my little fluffy bundles of joy jump into my lap, kissing my forehead with their warm pink tongues.  For a few minutes, I tell them all the stressful things that happened during the day and about the pile of work that awaits me at home.  Their beautiful brown eyes sparkle in anticipation as they wait for my story to come to an end.  I am so sure that they are listening, and understanding everything that I say.  I invite one of them to snuggle up on my lap to keep me company as I scatter my Spanish, AP American History, and Calculus (ugh!) textbooks all over the floor in my room.  Whenever I get tired of reading and writing, I take a deep breath, give my pup a big squeeze and some petting, and then get back to work.  Somehow, the work gets done faster when I’ve got a little buddy curled up in my lap.  I’m so glad that I rescued these little guys.  Though we give them a lot: food and water to keep them healthy, a warm and loving home, and lots of walks; they have given back so much.  I am proud to say that I am a dog lover!

Echo

-Ashlen