We have a Lab/Rot mix named Tyson that we have had since we got married. He is our "firstborn" and will be 10 this year. Well, he has gotten rather grumpy over the years (ever since we started having kids actually). But we love him in spite of his mood swings. He growls at the girls and makes sure that he is always feet away from them, to which they have nicknamed him "growly gus."
Tyson's favorite thing to do when we leave is to collect our clothes and place them in a nice little pile at the top of the stairs. He doesn't chew them, but just collects them. We call it his "love pile," and the person who's clothes are chosen must be his favorite for that day. Usually it consists of my socks or CLEAN panties, but when he thinks we are away for too long, his true love shows in his selection. This pile had a carefully selected item from each person in the house.....even the girls, all the way down to Emma. In order for him to make this collection he had to go into different baskets in the girls room and in our room. I picture his big head foraging for that perfect sock or perfect pair of panties, and it makes me smile. I guess he does love us after all! Don't worry, they are all clean (he actually prefers them that way, strange for a dog).
