how to love a doggy

This past weekend, we lost one of my favorite little buddies.  Our dog, Scout, passed away on Saturday afternoon.  It was random, sudden, and totally shocking.  He was only 22 months old (for those of you not so quick in math, that's just shy of 2 years old...almost 14 in dog years...way too young).  We are so, so sad.

If you have known me for long, you have seen my transition into the world of dog-lovers.  Well, to be more specific, Scout-lover.  While I am much softer towards all animals, Scout had found a way to make me really love him (when I formerly had no interest in loving an animal).

We invested in him.  We trained him.  We spent countless hours trying to teach him not to eat dad's socks, where to go to the bathroom, and how to love on the new baby we were bringing home.  And due to the nature of my work environment, I took Scout with me.  So we spent our days together.  How could I not grow to love him?  

I am not comparing our loss to the loss of an actual human, but there are certainly parallels that exist.  Scout was loyal.  Perhaps more so than many people that we know.  He frustrated me to no end some days, and yet he taught me how to extend grace at the end of it (children, anyone?).  Being dog owners taught Jamie and me about sacrificing for others.  Being more responsible.  Planning ahead.  He was my sanity and sense of normal when we brought Hammond home and nothing was normal.  I came to find joy in watching Scout do things that made him come alive - swimming, hiking, running, playing with other dogs.  

Scout swimming after tennis balls last weekend in NC

Scout was a part of our family, and without him here there is a piece missing.  We are going to miss him so much.  But we are also so thankful for a happy, smiley baby boy to help us keep things in perspective and to give us laughter and smiles in the midst of our sadness.  I know he will miss his buddy, but I'm also grateful that he still has such a child-like mind (and memory!).

You may call me crazy, and you may not understand - he was just a dog.  Trust me, I've been there before.  But, I'll leave you with one last thought - Scout taught us how to have a greater ability to love.  And that can never be a bad thing.  

6 & 7...ah!

I have a 7 1/2 month old little boy and I'm pretty sure the last monthly post I did was at 5 months.  Oops!

Here are a few photos from 6 months...

always on the move

except when he's just chillin'

And here are the 7 month ones (give or take a few days...er, weeks)...

can you tell I had daddy's help for this shoot?  so happy.

adorable.

speaking of milestones (well, coming up next), here's the little guy sitting up

This little man is growing and changing so much - 
- he's eating all sorts of foods (butternut squash is a fave), but has no interest unless is finely pureed
- he's sitting up all on his own
- and CRAWLING!  all over the place (but technically that's for the next update, since he was 7 months and 1 week)

Halloween

Our little tiger had a great Halloween!  We did a no frills, un-creative approach to the costume this year (thanks Conrad for loaning it to us!), but his cuteness totally made up for it.  It was one of those days that I'm super grateful for the community of people that we share a neighborhood with.  Lots of food, kids, laughs, and pure adorableness.  

ah....love him

H, the tiger, + Liza, the football

Hammond with his pumpkin friend, Harper, + dads

Happy Halloween!