Ethan's love of animals

I've mentioned before how I am not the animal lover.  I think animals are adorable.  I love that they can love.  I love how they are in other's homes.  I just don't like them in mine and I don't particularly like to touch them. Its weird.  I've tried to change, but it doesn't work.  I blame my mother who blames her mother :)

One of my best friend's owns this turtle that Madilyn is riding on.  She (my friend) wonders how we can be friends when she has such a love for animals.  I'm not sure how many she has.  However, she is my ONE friend who owns a turtle :)

Madilyn on Matthew, the turtle

Ethan, however, LOVED animals and always wanted a dog.  I know I have mentioned this previously.  One of his favorite animal experiences I let him have was with Webkinz (I count this!).  His cousins introduced this to him and he LOVED it.  He always wanted to take care of it and was extremely concerned when his Webkinz became sick because he hadn't logged in to check on him.  It was adorable.  I used to think that is how he would take care of a dog some day.

His Aunt Jessica also spoiled him with Build-A-Bear animals too.  These were by far the favorites that slept with him, except for Patriot, the dog, whom his Aunt Jeri had given to Parker years before.  Patriot made it to the hospital bed with him (along with his football). 

Ethan with Buddy, our cousin's dog.  I'm sure I have pictured this before.  But, he adopted this dog whenever we were in Snowflake.

These experiences are the only animal experiences he really had besides the two dogs we had (each for only two weeks).  I always think I'll change once I love a dog???  I don't.

At Christmastime Ethan watched Santa Buddies over and over and over.  This past Christmas I went to wrap presents at a friend's house and Santa Buddies was playing.  I couldn't control the emotions that came over me.  I wanted to run away.  Santa Buddies is a cheesy movie with dogs as Santa's elves.  We honestly made fun of Ethan for loving it like he did.  Parker would beg to not have to watch it, but watch it we all did. I am not sure I can ever watch it again because of how much Ethan loved it.  Now, this movie is packed in Ethan's hope chest because it was definitely his.  He prayed and begged for a dog.

After he died we were given the most wonderful dog. Again, circumstances being what they were, she didn't stay long.  However, we are so very grateful for the comfort Whisper brought to our home and the feeling of love we will always have for her.  If I had a bigger house I'd probably beg for Whisper back.  She's awesome.  She made us think of Ethan a lot and it was much appreciated.  I couldn't have asked for anything better to help my kids with their loss.

Madilyn and Whisper

Parker and Whisper

Madilyn and one of Whisper's puppies--sooo cute!

This post is all over the place.  But, how I wish I could love animals like Ethan and my friend.  I would love to know how to better love them so I could keep them.  We love you, Whisper!