Getting a dog

"Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Great pedigree. Adorable! Born April 6, ready to take home June 6," the Internet advertisement reads. I scan the pictures of the fluffy pups, instantly fall in love and search for the location of the breeder expecting to see an address in New York, Florida or Kentucky.

Scrolling down the page I come across the breeder's home; Rathdrum, Idaho! I quickly email Susan, the breeder and receive an almost instant response. "We have eight pups. Do you want to see them?" My wife and I are elated.

We made the decision months ago to add two dogs to our family and have been searching for the perfect companions ever since. Our parameters to become doggy parents are fairly stringent. The dogs need to be mature enough to come home on or around June 6 since we are both teachers and begin our summer break mid-June. My dog needs to be a yellow Lab that has a hunting pedigree and my wife's dog needs to be a good companion for the Lab and safe around kids.

Both dogs need to be trainable, love being outdoors and love to work. Our family is very active and our dogs need to keep up with us.

I fell in love with Labrador retrievers years ago. Watching, "Dock-Dogs," on ESPN, I remember seeing beautifully muscular, smart, athletic yellow Labs ridiculously excited to chase an orange throwing-dummy off a dock into a lake. The dog would retrieve the dummy, bring it back to the owner and beg to repeat the exercise.

Molly was a dock-dog. She loved chasing her dummy into the lake, diving 15-20 feet off the dock before landing with a splash and eagerly swimming for her toy. Once out of the water, she would run back onto the dock, drop the dummy at my feet, sit and wait for me to throw her toy once more.

I would order, "Stay," throw the dummy into the lake and watch Molly shake with excitement. I could barely get the "r" out for release and Molly would be off, diving into the lake to do her work. We repeated this regiment until my arm became tired. Molly never tired of the work.

Molly was more than a family pet, she was part of the family. She forced me off the couch with a nudge from her cold nose when I had a hard day at work and only wanted to complain of life and mindlessly watch television in self-pity. She demanded a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the lake. I gave in to her commands and became a better person for it. My poor mood quickly turned to happiness once out into the world with my pup. Life felt more alive when Molly was around.

Molly died three years ago. While sitting in my man-cave watching the Seahawks beat the 49ers I hear a thump in the hall. Molly fell down the stairs and was panting heavily outside my door. I pick her up and carry her upstairs.

In the past six months, Molly has slowed down, was panting often and sleeping most of the time. Her life was coming to an end. My hope was for her not to suffer and for me to know how and when to help her into death when the time came for her to pass. This was the time.

Molly and I lay together on our deck for the next two hours as her life quietly comes to an end. Her passing is peaceful. She takes her last breath as I rub her ears and say goodbye to my friend. Molly is now buried in our garden with a flowerbed of tulips, iris and dahlias as her tombstone.

Grieving the death of a friend takes a while. I will never forget Molly and do not plan on replacing her but it is time for a new chapter in my wife and my life. It's time to expand our family. In two weeks I get first choice of the puppies in the litter and in four weeks, the dog comes home to join our family.

My wife has not been as lucky. She is still searching for her pup. She loves Labradoodles, springer spaniels and terriers. A well-mannered mutt is also an option. If you know of someone who has a litter of pups that will be ready to take home around the middle of June, please let me know!

I am giddy. I feel like the husband of a pregnant wife, waiting for the arrival of their newborn child. Pets often complete a family. I'm excited to have two fluff balls waiting for me when I come home from work each day. I'm excited for trips to the lake and most of all, I'm excited to watch my family grow.

Send comments or other suggestions to William Rutherford at bprutherford@hotmail.com or visit pensiveparenting.com.