I want my dogs to grow old with me. I want to feel their fur on my cheek for my whole life.

I'm a dog mom who, every once in awhile, gets a solid dose of bittersweet reality when it dawns on me- we only have so many holidays with our dogs. Honestly, the thought originally came from the realization that my boys only get to experience so many Halloweens as kids.  Thankfully, I have three boys who choose to be kids for as long as they can and they will likely have enjoyed the fun of dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating with friends until they leave for college.  

I'm not a dog mom who dresses my dogs up in costumes for Halloween.  Believe me, I've tried!  But Maizy goes into zombie mode anytime an article of clothing intended for her even comes in to view.  And Muddy, well, he is the dog who wears a bandana that says "I ate my Halloween costume" and then proceeds to eat the bandana just to prove the cut out teeth marks to accompany the words weren't authentic enough.  I have learned that getting all dressed up isn't my dogs' thing.  But, it isn't lost on me that, just like with my kids, my dogs' Halloweens are few.  And their Christmases with us, if we're lucky, will be only be 14 or 15.