Kai--tender mercy or dirty animal?

The downside:
1) She sheds. Brushing and vacuuming help, but still, she sheds.

2) She smells like a dog, especially when wet. Bathing helps, but still, she smells like a dog, especially when it's been a week.

3) What goes in must come out, and nobody particularly enjoys yard duty.

The upside:
1) She loves you no matter what you do. When she can choose to be anywhere she wants, she'll choose to be with you. Guaranteed: nobody else will mourn your absence or greet your return with as much enthusiasm as she will. Even if you ignore her.

2) She's always up for a game, and you get to choose when, where and what. No need to negotiate or compromise. If you want to go somewhere or do something, she's always excited to join you.

3) She's a gentle alarm clock for sleepy sons! A snuggle and wet kiss coax reluctant wakers from their beds a lot easier than the whole plethera of clock radios, snooze buttons, squirt bottles and yelling/shaking/threatening/begging routines.

4) She's an empathetic listener when you're feeling sad, and she'll never interrupt or tell you you're wrong.

5) Her number one goal in life is to please you! Who else can you say that about?

I was thinking about this one day when I noticed her dirty paw prints crossing my clean kitchen floor, and it hit me--the simple truth: it's a choice. I thought of all the furry and not so furry creatures who have shared our home over the years, and realized that--while I would love to have a floor that stays clean and a house that always smells sweet--I choose life with what Julie called "the best toy" and Danny called "a tender mercy." The love and the joy makes the inconvenience worth it.