Thanks for my neighbors

Our longtime neighbor’s dog, Ruthie, died this week. She was 15 years old and it was time but it was so hard for her family and hard for all the kids in the neighborhood who grew up with her. Some of those kids (including one or two of my own) have been grieving like it was their own dog that died.

This family is such a special family; the mom babysat Polly for all of her toddler and preschool years. The dad is like an uncle to all the kids in the neighborhood. The daughter is friendly and kind to everyone. And the dog was just the nicest dog I’ve ever met.

I’m thankful for the proximity we’ve had with this family for all these years. I’m very sorry for their loss, but I’m also thankful that we knew Ruthie, and because they shared her with us, we grieve for her like she was our own too.