Taking the Kid on the Road

It is amazing how a hike in the woods can bring a family together.

I've been tolerating Ayla, training Ayla, licking Ayla, watching Ayla, ignoring Ayla, but really accepting her is taking some time.

This weekend, we took her on the road to Vermont. At least in the eyes of my fans, I am still the most interesting dog. People ignored the fluff ball and admired and questioned my flocky goodness. Dad would occasionally point out Ayla to people with a "and that's what they look like as puppies." Oh, please. I didn't look like her. I had my mottled black and gray spots. I was sleeker through the hips. I had my boyish charm.

In the woods, though, I found something else in Ayla. I started to see what Mom and Dad see. She can be a good friend to me. We ran and ran and ran some more. She really understood that I am in front of her on the trail. She stayed on the trail and listened to all of us. And most importantly, we found a new connection. She got a glimpse of what it really is to be in our family. And we, all of us, started to fall in love with Ayla.