15 Day Challenge [Day 4]

[Day 4] What's your favorite childhood memory?

My sweet boy Basil, my family's golden retriever, was such a huge part of my life growing up and I remember the day that we went to pick him up. April 1st. I remember driving in the car to the other side of town. Meeting the family who were the owners of his parents. I don't remember picking him out specifically because he was my Dad's birthday present. I assume it was his choice which pup we brought home.

I remember driving back to our house with our silly pup in the car, comfortably sitting in his cardboard box. He laid flat in the grass the first time we put his collar and leash on. We left him locked into the kitchen the first night he was home as our family went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday at hand. 

I remember begging my parents for months to let him sleep in my room at night. I just wanted to love on that soft fur and smell that puppy breath. Years later he subtly became more my dog as opposed to the family's. I was "his girl" and he was "my boy" and he eventually came to know me by that when my mom would say it on my trips back home from college. 

He was always our family; not just as our pet but as a member and part of who we are as a family. He was always my tie to my dad and I think about him all the time. I'm so thankful my pup Ollie got to run in the yard with him, growl over whose toys were who's and snuggle with me and my other pup in bed with me at home. 

I sure do love that dog and boy do I miss him sometimes.