When I came home with my newborn from the hospital, I spotted a note on the kitchen table and assumed it was a sweet message from my mother-in-law. Instead, it was a $600 invoice for taking care of our dog, Rich, while I was in labor. My husband promised to handle it, but I had a better plan.
Just a few days before I was due, I was sprawled on the couch, battling a dull ache in my back that was growing sharper by the minute. My golden retriever, Rich, sat beside me, resting his head on my lap like he sensed my discomfort. I absentmindedly scratched his ears while calling out to Jake, my husband, who was in the kitchen making a sandwich.
“Jake, we need to figure out what to do with Rich while we’re at the hospital,” I said. He walked over with his sandwich, kissed my forehead, and casually reassured me. “Don’t stress. Mom loves Rich. She’ll handle it.” His easygoing nature was one of the reasons I loved him, but in moments like these, it could also drive me nuts.
