Day Twenty Five - Jan 25, 2019

Today our little baby turned two years old. She is the most spoiled and precious little bundle of love. When Andrei and the kids brought her home to stay just about two years ago, our lives were forever changed. 

My children and Andrei sacrificed so much to help care for my mom at that time and this was one way I could tangibly thank them after they begged to get a puppy for years. 

I will never forget calling Andrei at work a thousand times during those first few weeks claiming I was going to die from the weight of caring for her. I said, “...either she will change us as a family for the better - or we will completely fall apart from the strain!”

Our little love was spooked one day after being with us for only about a month and ran away. The kids and Andrei were heartbroken. We searched for hours and miraculously found her by way of the most amazing story. 

But since that dreadful day, she has become my little love in every way. I fell in love with this sweet bundle of never ending joy. I wouldn’t trade her for the world. 

There isn’t a time that goes by that she doesn’t greet us with love and excitement when we return home or when she returns home. She isn’t motivated by food or treats. She loves to be praised and snuggled!

She often teaches me the meaning of unconditional love. She lives to love and bring joy to her atmosphere!

Often our wings feel clipped because of her requiring care. We’ve become significantly less mobile and have traveled much less over the past two years. 

Sometimes we have struggled with this lack of freedom. We have learned the discipline of loyalty. Grace. Delayed gratification... 

She is a beautiful gift to our home. She brings life and love to our tiny space. 

What began as a burden to me ~ became one of my greatest joys. 

Momma’s little love... Benelli Ludavica Zolotareva