Gavin Fritz Cagle

I have a new dog. You may not know this about me (if you don't know me at all) but I love animals. All animals. I think dogs may be my favorite. I know it's cheesy to say they are "man's best friend" but I was an only child and not very cool as a kid and my dog Jake really was my best friend. Mom had to put him up to spank me. He followed me everywhere and protected me. He slept in my bed. He listened to me all day long. He did goofy things that made me laugh. When I was sad he was just there. He was awesome.

My husband has never had a dog in the house, so he doesn't really get how awesome they can be. We have 2 outdoor dogs. They are great dogs. But it's not the same as when one lives with you like you are family. I have just convinced him to let me have one inside after trying for 15 years. WOOHOO!

Yesterday I found the perfect dog for my super anal husband. He's 3 years old (past the age of tearing stuff up for fun). He's a schnauzer so he doesn't shed. He's housebroken. He was free. Also he had a sad story and my husband is a softie that pretends he's not.

Poor Fritz though, he's a little freaked out. His people gave him and his brother up because they are moving. So he lost everything he knows yesterday and is stuck with us. He's terrified. There's me, my husband, my son, my daughter, my cat, my two other dogs and the plethora of people we usually have at the house for him to deal with.

But here's what I know... it's going to work out. The cat may never want to spoon him but they will eventually tolerate each other. The other dogs will accept him once they realize he's ours. My kids and husband will finally know why I cried so hard at Marley and Me. In a week or two we will have our own routine and all will be awesome.

That was not my exact experience last night though. He chased the cat, barked at the other dogs, shot out of bed at 5:30 clearly excited about something and wouldn't eat at all.