Mama's Memphis Beau

Meet Memphis! Memphis (a golden retriever puppy) is the newest member of the family and my surprise birthday and Christmas present. And what a surprise he was!

Background. Cotton, our last golden retriever, died last October. Goldens are my favorite breed, and my first dog growing up was a golden retriever, Duke. I missed Cotton, and Dixie (our chocolate lab) missed her playmate, too. I have gotten serious about wanting to replace Cotton the last few months, praying for a dog to come along and keeping an eye out for a golden. I didn't really vocally share my desire for a golden with anyone. We turned down adopting an 11-month, full-grown golden we looked at Saturday night. I had gotten my hopes up, thinking we'd have another golden join the family, and I was disappointed and sad when I realized she wasn't the dog for us. I guess I was desiring a golden more than I even realized! Travis could tell I was a little upset, but I didn't say much and didn't feel like talking about it.

Travis was paying more attention than I knew Saturday night and, little did I know, he was one step ahead of me! Travis's parents arrived here Sunday afternoon for a Thanksgiving visit and Travis took his dad and the boys to go to a shooting range to "sight in his [Travis's] rifle" for an upcoming deer hunt. I called Travis on the way home from Wal Mart and he said he'd just left Baton Rouge (where the shooting range is).

I went home and prepared supper. Then I got a phone call from Travis. "Jae. I need you to get some paper towels. Dawson just started throwing up in the back seat of the car and the car's in the driveway."

I quickly grabbed a roll of paper towels and three bath towels and rushed out the back door in response mode. I opened the door to little Memphis with a big, red bow hanging from his head! I was SO excited and happy. I actually (no kidding) couldn't stop smiling. What a great feeling!

Travis sneaked around Sunday morning and made phone calls to golden retriever breeders while I was in the shower. He drove clear to Pearl River, Mississippi to get Memphis and put his pride aside to deal with buying the pup from a VERY cranky breeder just for me! Travis is a lab man. If he had his way, he'd get another lab to befriend Dixie and the family. However, the fact that he thought of me and my love for golden retrievers and got me one for my birthday made me feel SO special.

Thank you and I love you, Travis! I will never forget my 30th birthday present!