Grant's Lessons Part 9: Love The One You Are With

Maybe the song's lyrics don't fit this blog post, but the title does.  I was thinking about how much change Marybeth and I have had in the four years we have been married. Some of the change was chosen but other changes were thrust upon us.  I realized one member of our family has gone through more change that he did not choose than any of us: Grant.

Grant has had to accept a new house, a new alpha male in the household and a younger sister. In a dog's life, that is an awful lot of change!  And none of it was really his choice.  (Even though I think Marybeth would have had a much more difficult decision on whether to marry me if Grant didn't at least learn to like me!)

One thing Grant has taught me during this whole process is: love the ones you are with. G has grown to love us.  He had no choice in the matter but still loves us. Having a male that he knows and feels comfortable with and a sister to play with every day, has given Grant much of what he truly wanted in life. To get those things he really wanted, he had to accept what life had given him. 

I think Grant is trying to teaching us to not tell the universe, God, life or whatever you believe in what you want/need to love but trust that those you are supposed to love are probably right in front of you already.  Our job is simple: love.  Lick the people around you, snuggle up next to them, and don't worry too much about how anyone feels about it.  Just throw yourself into the people around you and everything else will work out.

Thanks G, for the licks, the snuggles, and loving those who life has put in your path. You show how to love the ones you are with. We have much to learn, buddy.