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From Chapter: Baby's First Day

Baby's first hours with Marty and me were filled with pleasure - she was in our home - and with trepidation - she was in our home. Neither of us knew how to care for or train a dog. It had been more than four decades since I had a dog, and even longer for Marty. We looked at one another and simultaneously said, "Now what do we do?"

From Chapter: Our First Time Apart

Baby was with us just three weeks when Marty and I left for a cruise, a trip we had planned long before her arrival. I placed my pink and blue velour robe in Baby's bed, so that she would have my scent with her while I was away.

Marty and I returned home. At first Baby would not come to me. I felt as if she was punishing me for having left her. All I cared about was that we were together again, and safe.

My robe, however, did not fare as well. Baby had chewed it to shreds. It was a small price to pay to know that Baby missed me as much as I missed her.

From Chapter: Growing to Love Myself

Even though she did not reciprocate, I kissed Baby many times a day. Then one evening, as we lie in bed together, Baby crawled over and licked my face. It was a sweet surprise.

"I love you too, Baby," I said, patting her head. ......

One sweet kiss from Baby gave me the confidence to create a place within my heart and mind to know, love, and respect myself.

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