Item #2

If you missed yesterday's meeting, please take a moment to review the minutes. (Oh, and for those who were absent, don't forget to submit your doctor's note so that you may have an excused absence, as unexcused absences will result in immediate laundry detail. May I also remind you that 3 unexcused absences will result in immediate bathroom duty.)

This meeting will now come to order.

We will begin with our second agenda item- the one we were unable to address yesterday.

For those of you who know the husband and me, this one is really gonna throw you. Are you sitting down? Are you seat-belted in? Because, if you aren’t you might want to make some sort of provision. Perhaps you should cushion the ground around you for your impending collapse.

Drum roll please…

We, our little family- the husband, oldest daughter, middle daughter, little son and I have acquired a canine companion. I know. Breathe, breathe, breathe... I’ll give you a moment to collect yourselves, catch your breath and gather your thoughts.







Your thoughts: “I don’t even know these people anymore."

No, “that place” hasn’t frozen over. We have a dog. This is symbolic of a huge and total commitment (and perhaps a little temporary insanity). Can I do it? I am so not an animal person. You know I am not. Don't you? Yes, you do. I am the non-animalest non-animal person you will EVER meet.

I have daughters who should live on a farm. (I don’t know who their parents are.) They are drawn to animals. They play like they are animals. ALL THE TIME. They beg for kitties and puppies and fishies and turtles. And, no, I couldn’t pull off the “let’s get a pet rock” thing with them. (It's like I have told you before, they are genius kids.)

Going back to what my good friend Marjorie Hinckley (really, we have never met. But I like to imagine in my head that if we ever did meet, we would be the greatest of friends) has said about saying YES to your children, I realized that all I was doing when saying no to the pet issue was denying my children an opportunity to love an animal. Again, selfishness.

Since getting the dog (and I know that we are still only a day into it) I have seen a whole new universe open up to my girls. They are in love and the husband and I are coping.

So, tell me your greatest dog tips, and pray for dry carpets!

Thank you for being in attendance. Meeting adjourned.