Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one.

Every boy who has a dog should also have a mother, so the dog can be fed regularly.

Meet Rocky, the newest member of our family.

Yes, I remember that I said I was never, ever going to get another dog after the disaster that we created with our last dogs. We were horrible, irresponsible pet owners and I promised that I would never again put an innocent animal in that position. I told everyone that there was no way I would ever again put myself in that position.

But I was depressed, and my son saw his chance and took it. At a time when I was feeling unloved and alone, my son offered me another chance at unconditional love. He did his homework (instead of just walking into a pet store and falling in love with the first creature to make puppy eyes at him), and found a dog that met both our needs. Then he offered financial security, both to the apartment complex AND to me, that the dog's needs would be met. He even signed us up for doggy school, so that my children and I will learn along with the dog how to behavior properly.

Rocky's been with us three weeks now, and so far things are working out pretty well. He's not the cuddly baby-creature that I had hoped for, but he's also not a hyperactive destruction machine that I was afraid of. My son took me seriously about giving away the dog (and keeping the security money for myself) if the dog messed up my house, and as a result Rocky is pretty much house-trained already.

Tuesday nights Rocky and I go to puppy school. If my son isn't working, he comes along too. But I've been having so much fun with the classes, I've pretty much taken over training the dog myself. Last week we learned the "sit" command, and already Rocky understands and responds to both the word and the hand command. Yes, I'm teaching my dog sign language. This week we're working on loose leash walking, and it turns out that Rocky is ahead of the class on that skill as well. (I can't help bragging. I've been a teacher's pet all my life.)

Rocky is scheduled for the last of his shots in three weeks. By then, we'll be ready for play dates at the dog park. I'm actually looking forward to it!