Kids and dogs

I never appreciate when people compare their pets to your kids. You know, I trained my dog by ... so I'm sure if you took a similar approach to your child... Seriously? I do have to admit, though, that this morning when I got out of the shower and saw Julia walking around with a giant chocolate bar leaving a trail of ripped paper behind her I thought about my childhood dog, Merlin. Julia had broken into Hunter's box of chocolates that he's selling for gymnastics. She'd ripped off the wrapper, left it all over the floor and started to dig into the chocolate bar when I busted her. Merlin could not be trusted with chocolate anywhere in sight. On Easter she'd get into the baskets or have to be locked into the garage. One Christmas she tore into Jason's stocking and chewed her way to the chocolate. There were 1 lb chocolate kisses, beer bottles and truffles that disappeared over the years. Life with Merlin meant safe and secure spots for chocolate were a must or the chocolate would disappear. As I was moving the box of bars to a higher, safer, and more secure spot, I couldn't help but imagine Julia getting into a stocking with chocolate in it Christmas morning - I just hope she doesn't use her teeth!