31 Comments
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February 13, 2022
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Thanks, Catherine. I'm sure I miss the mark on "every single time," but I appreciate your faith in me! :D

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Wonderful way to begin our day, thank you Elizabeth for another beautiful essay and such big news! Go Rachel!

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Jan, I don't know how I missed this comment way back in February, but thank you. Yes, big news. These offspring of mine are determined to spread their wings!

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Due to our crazy work schedules, Charlie and I didn’t own a dog until our sweet Roxy. They are a fair bit of work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Life was lonely, sad and quiet after we lost her. Ruby is changing all of that! What a wonderful adventure for your daughter. I hope that you will have an opportunity to visit her.

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We hope so, too, Katie. And, I can't wait to meet Ruby!

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Thank you! I needed this story this morning. Welcome Basil!!! You know I am a dog person and have been missing my boy Clai desperately. So wonderful that you were able to make a home for Basil. Hopefully it took some of the sting out of Rachel's big move. I feel your pain. Having a child live so far away (and it's hard to get much further than Australia!) is so hard but how wonderful for Rachel. Such an exciting adventure. Can't wait to meet Basil when I get back home at the end of March! Keep your stories coming......so happy you are doing this.

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Oh, Clai. He was a powerhouse of enthusiasm! <3

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He's adorable!!!

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That face!!! I’ll happily join you on a walk with your new buddy!❤️

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Love this canine adventure.... honored to be a reader of your work

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I could read your writing forever, Elizabeth. Being a cat person myself, I commend you for taking on a dog. Of course, for our children... I love some dogs and Basil looks like a gem, but they are too needy for me to want one of my own. I love that our cat is the boss and we all know it. Keep writing.

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Thank you, Barbara.

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Basil the great.. a little piece of my heart back home with my favorite humans. Thank you for looking after him 💛💛

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Anything for you, my dear.

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You've certainly lucked out, Basil. And I will never view our dogs' shedding the same way again.

Baby dragonflies.

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Beautifully written and precious!

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Funny - Michelle and Adam's dog is named Basil also! Very well written Betsy.

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Thanks, Jim. Check out the inaugural post when you have a chance. I think you'll appreciate the look back at Aunt Nancy. Scritches to "your" Basil, too.

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This essay reads like a joyful, frisky lab running down the ever-loving tennis ball -- such turn of phrase, such svelte feline prose. Lucky Basil!

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Ah, one wordsmith to another. Appreciate the comment, Stephanie. <3

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They have a way of entering our hearts and staying there. I have loved each and every one. This was lovely!

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Indeed they do! Thanks, Amy.

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Welcome to the Land of the Hairy Toddlers. They are the best people.

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He's great, cuddly, and ridiculously persistent. :D

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I was raised in a family where dogs were just a given, causing me to think that was just the way you did it. So naturally my Kiwi husband’s statement of “I don’t want a dog” was promptly ignored and I brought home our first Corgi puppy. Mr. “I don’t want a dog” quickly became besotted and spoiled them both. Chloe (who also unexpectedly spent a year nannying in Oz) is engaged to a Mr. “I don’t want a dog” causing her to promptly bring home a rambunctious mutt (apple doesn’t fall far) and now Michael is trying to figure out how they can honeymoon with their mutt in tow….

Keep writing, I thoroughly enjoyed your piece. And how fun for Rachel!

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Thanks, Elizabeth. You've been on our minds more than once as this adventure has unfolded. :)

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