Today I took a good hard look at the life my Cairns have and felt so blessed to be able to give them such a wonderful home and unconditional love.

My children are older and need me less (unless they need cash ), finances are stable, work schedule compliments theirs, our home and yard is designed to give pleasure to humans and canines alike...it all fits together nicely and I am extremely lucky.

Well said, Kayharley. I share in your feelings. Add to that, I have a dh and dd that also share my love for animals. There's a warm fuzzy feeling in our home when the three of us snuggle in our double recliner to watch a move, each of us holding a Cairn. I also love watching my dd and the Cairns run and play together in the yard. For a while, all the stress life sometimes throws us is put on hold.

My son and I remarked on something simular the other day. Having participated in rescue for years, some really amazing and diverse animals have touched our lives.

At this point we have our two cats and Sophie, and are just astounded with how well everybody gets along, and how lucky we are to have such great companions to live with. Although we have had Sophie only 4 months, it feels like she has lived with us forever, the cats have accepted her and vis-versa. We are really lucky.

While I only have the one Cairn, I feel the same way!

I've often thought that if anyone heard me talking to Scully, when she's asleep on our bed, and I pet her and talk to her someone would have me committed. My hear just melts when I see her sleeping without a care in the world - or when I come home from work and she is just absolutely thrilled to see me.

Tomorrow will be a year since Kai-lee came into our lives and I have to say she has been a blessing to our family! I don't know what we'd do without her....I never had a dog before and now I can't imagine life without her, she provides us with so many laughs daily and so much love!

Our girls have really become a big part of our lives too. My husband said just today that it would have been boring had we just got one. They like to raise hell, but they are fun to watch. Heck we got them so we can take them with us on vacation!!!! Their going to Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground tomorrow.

I feel the same way as all of you here. Because I have been so blessed, I can pass the blessings on to my pup. I only work three days a week and my dh works from home so my pup need never be alone. On the four days that I am not working, I am out hiking three sometimes four hours a day with my pup. We have the best times exploring everything everywhere. I take him to puppy daycare once a week - just for fun. I take him to my folks once a week as well (because my dad says he needs his puppy fix). My husband and I are nuts for the outdoors and it's clear to us that our pup loves it too. I too am blessed. I've got a sweet, funny little independent pup that is such a joy to be around. Life is truly good.