My surprise: a dog

Andrew had a surprise for me last night.  I was surprised that he had a surprise, because after eight years of marriage he has learned several things.  One of which is that I hate surprises.

I wonder if he just did not want to tell me for fear I might reject his surprise.

It was a dog.

Now, I am not a dog person.  I do not know how to care for a dog, and the thought of a dog inside my house petrifies me.  I wonder if petrify is a strong word.  No, it is not.

We had dogs growing up.  My Dad is a dog man, and he took one of our dogs everywhere he went.  Even flying.  It was a flying dog.

However subsequent dogs did not travel with Dad.  My mother would have rather died than let an animal in the house, so they were outside animals.  Is 'rather died' too strong of a term?  No.  But we had, and still have, cats and dogs (now just cats) at my parent's house.  They just stay outside, and do not have names.

I worried, though, that the animals of our youth would be at our Judgement Bar (you know on Judgement Day).  I feared that they would testify against our family and the Celestial Kingdom would be of limits for the Bagleys.  We never abused the animals.  We just did not love them like I thought that they should be loved.  My sisters and brother were not dog people either.

Our potential dog (my surprise) has not come home yet.  It is still at the shelter.  Andrew is going to try to pick it up today.

I gave in.  If Andrew wants a dog, I will try to survive.  Yes, I love Drew that much.  That is a strong kind of love.