When I started a relationship with Jill, I wasn’t sure where it would go. I knew where I wanted it to go, but I had questions. At the top of the list:
How would I get along with her children?
How would she get along with my dogs?
As it turned out, Jill loved the pack and the pack loved her. Kevin and Brittany added to the pack by bringing Nala and Floki into the family.
Jessica and Nico changed the meaning of the pack when they made us grandparents. Kevin and Brittany have since added to that joy, and we’re now looking forward to welcoming our third grandchild.
Jill and I were married two years ago today.
The vows I wrote that day are today’s story from the pack.
—-
Jill,
I am often reflective and, at any point in time, I may wonder, “how on earth did I get here?”
For today, you can thank Dakota. I told her I wanted you to know how much I love you and how special you are to me, and she said, “why don’t you just get her some carrots?” But your homeschool lessons weren’t quite as effective as we thought, and she spelled carrot K-A-R-A-T, so here we are.
I think we all know I’ve been all about German Shepherds since I was a young boy. And I know, in the past, you have been likened to other breeds. But I’m here to tell you, you are 100 percent German Shepherd.
You are a fiercely loyal protector and best friend, like Blitz.
You are loving, nurturing, and free-spirited, like Dakota.
You are a huntress, like Nala, and anyone who doubts that needs only to look at your feet today and understand the passion with which you hunted down those shoes.
You are all about your pack, like Maximus.
And you are excitable, lovable, and maybe just a little crazy, like Floki.
I am here to promise to be all of those things for you.
I promise to be your best friend, to be fiercely loyal and to always put you first.
I promise to love you, to nurture you and to make life fun.
I promise to be committed to helping you achieve your goals.
I promise to be an engaged member of our family.
And I promise to be a little bit crazy just to keep your life interesting.
I can’t believe how lucky I am to be standing here today.
I love you.
Two years later, I still mean every word.
This story is one of those that matter—the lessons that reflect what the Alex Lebovic Foundation carries forward.
If you’d like to support that work, you can make a donation, explore The Great Dog Pack, or visit the shop. And if you’d like to follow along, you can subscribe below to Stories from the Pack.
Another beautiful writing.
So my question to you is….
How much does Dakota miss Maryland?
Dakota has now lived more of her life in Illinois than she did in Maryland and Florida combined. But to dogs, I think home is more their pack than a place. She is very happy with her current pack, but I’m sure she misses pack mates she’s known along the way.