It takes a village to raise a child…and a Labrador Retriever.

In our house it took a Labrador to raise a child. Two actually. Our kids learned to be kind and gentle, yet strong and resilient, responsible and selfless, and to always protect each other. They learned about loss at a young age when our first lab Cain left us and how to heal and welcome a new family member a few months later when Ryder arrived. Ryder took over where Cain left off. For 26 years our family has included a Labrador Retriever. As we cherished the last days we had with Ryder, I couldn’t help but wonder if he knew just how much he helped us raise our kids to be the amazing adults that they have become. I will forever be grateful for these two dogs.