A year ago, in a plastic kiddie pool

One year ago today, Kona, our neighbor's chocolate lab went into labor in a blue plastic kiddie pool. When I finally arrived, there were nine, plump brown puppies, eyes squeezed shut, grunting and rooting around to nurse. All of them were already wagging their brand new tails.

Lola Malu was one of the brown pups born that morning. During her first seven months, we continued to live on the acreage in Ferndale next door to where she was born. With ten acres of open field between the two properties, it was an idyllic setting for a lively young puppy to meet the world and learn the ropes under the playful companionship of her mom who lived at our house almost as much as her own!

A lot has changed since Lola's arrival in the plastic kiddie pool: my boys have both graduated from college, we've had ER visits, surgery, new jobs, girlfriends. Perhaps the most significant change came when we moved from the countryside to the gorgeous Bellingham neighborhood we now call home. Alongside Lola's rapid growth, we all came into our own in various ways. There were events that tested our strength, our emotional resilience, our very belief in each other.

Through it all, the music continues to play, we forge on and continue to grow and learn about ourselves and each other, each days brings us something new. And in the midst of it all, there is Lola Malu, always smiling, always wagging her tail. Her devotion, her constancy and sheer joy, so clear and true. Happy Birthday to you, my dear sweet Lola!

Give Lola a birthday hug!