Oso

If you know much about Steve and I, you would know that we have never had a pet since we have been married, until Oso. However, we each had dogs growing up. In my house, my sister was more of the animal lover. We had Sally, Beau, and Prissy as our family dogs. I did have a cat that was mine named Sesame, yes after the street. Steve had Pokey, Pup, and Friday. Once we married, we had not chosen to have a dog but instead start a family which presently consists of 3 sons. At least every year since my boys could speak, the question requesting a dog would come up. We always said no. I’m sure we had good reasons that justified our decision like cost, care, and convenience. Two years ago something changed.

With one now in college, the younger boys continued their request of a dog almost every day. I wanted to say no again but something inside of me needed to see “a softer, kinder side” of my sons. After much research, I gave in and we headed one cold December day to pick out a chocolate lab. They picked Oso.

I can’t say why I gave in except for what I said earlier. I really needed to see kindness, compassion and responsibility from my then 16 year old son. Those characteristics were difficult to see at that stage in his life. This is true for most teenagers! The world was against him in his mind. He was missing his older brother and the stability he provided. He was in many new situations that year and some of his faithful safe places had changed. So I listened to his request even if it seemed to make no sense for our family at the time. I believed this new pet would open the door to compassion and empathy. He did.

What Oso provided to our whole family was more than I ever imagined. He was constantly there for all of us. He provided new kinds of laughter that we had not experienced as a family before and he was always glad to see us. Today he is 2 1/2 years old. We all have different nicknames for him. We know his favorite treats. We know his favorite places to walk and to be rubbed. We love him. We have bought him toys, new collars, even Starbuck ‘Pup cups”! He is part of our family.

We moved this summer to a new town and as much as you can be prepared for life transition, moving is still very difficult. Through school change, job change, and loneliness that occurs, Oso has been one of the most constant comforting things to all of us. We have now found his new favorite places, discovered his new habits, and now we let him sleep inside which we said we would never do. So if you’re needing to see a softer side of your teenage children, I do suggest a dog if they are asking for one. There will be frustrations, money, time and messes. However, you will have those same obstacles with your teenagers too! You may as well get a furry happy pup to join in and keep you all from taking everything so seriously all the time!