Prada eating a RAT! Being a mother of three boys, I have hosted (and endured) a lot of pets: dogs, fish, rabbits, turtles, lizards, frogs, water dragons, rocks and SNAKES! Snakes are the most unwelcome creatures in my home. I am most certainly "Wimpy" when dealing with the snakes. I hate everything about them- the shedding, the feeding, the cage mess, and the smell. We presently have 2 snakes. I try not to even look at them when I enter the room. I truly believe these animals are cursed from God.

But as we look in the rear view mirror of our family's adventures, some of the boys' favorite memories are centered around our pets. Adam and Aaron always have a good laugh at my expense describing the infamous "Chinese Water Dragon Escape". This big green critter got out of his cage, then reappeared suddenly, days later, at the top of the dining room drapes. I'm still in therapy.

But I will always have a dog-shaped hole in my heart for Duke. This is Duke before we had him put-down last summer.

Duke was just a mutt. My brother gave Duke to us as a puppy predicting Duke would be a small dog. Duke grew to be almost 65 pounds; Duke was friendly, but large and in-charge!

One day I got a call from the local neighborhood Wal-mart. The manager was on the phone. The conversation went something like this:

"Hello"

"Is this the Morris residence?"

"Yes"

"I think we have your dog. Is your dog named Duke? We got this number from the dog tag."

"Yes. We have a dog named Duke."

"Well, this is the manager at Wal-mart on Memphis-Arlington. Duke was eating the croissants from the bread counter inside the store. He's a friendly dog. but could you come get him? We'll hold him till you get here."

"OK. I'll be right there"

Evidently the automatic doors can work for a dogs' advantage. But the funny thing about this episode at Wal-mart is that it happened at least 2 more times! I was too embarrassed to go back the 2nd & 3rd times for Duke, and just sheepishly sent one of the boys to retrieve him.

My wise sister recently posted a blog about all she had learned from her dog, Toni. I would agree that Duke also taught me some great life lessons. One being, 'Don t settle for plain white bread, when you can have croissants!'

I'm Fine.

As I glance in the rear view mirror of our lives, I use the information to make adjustments and move forward.

This handsome guy is Aaron, my middle son. He is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University. Aaron is a lot like his mom, but in the male version. As I ponder his childhood, I see a lot of myself, for good or bad. Like me, Aaron plays his cards close to his vest & only shares when it is his idea!

His last two years of high school, I believe Aaron only spoke in mono syllables and grunts. It was like living with a caveman! The answer to every question was "fine". How was school? "Fine" Work? "Fine" Girlfriend? "Fine"

I began requiring Aaron to speak to me in complete subject & verb sentences! How was work? "Work was fine." Finally, I required him to speak at least one sentence with a minimum of ten words. And don't think for one minute he ever spoke a sentence with eleven.

When Aaron was in 9th grade, we had to see a neurologist for his severe migraine headaches. After multiple tests & medical questionnaires, doctors could not pinpoint a cause for the headaches. Only recently did Aaron share with us that he had been in a fight at the local mall. Evidently, another boy had slammed Aaron's head into the concrete during the scuffle. The headaches started soon after this incident. That would have been nice to have known at the time.

After this look in the rear view mirror, I have tried to back off from asking Aaron so many questions. This was an adjustment to improve our relationship. I like to talk when I'm in the mood, so I have had to allow Aaron the same privilege. I sure miss him, even when he is quiet.