I don’t see dogs as the same as children, but when I looked at this image from the back yard – Maria came out of her studio to say hello, and the three amigos – Fate, Zinnia, and Bud rushed out to join her.

I don’t know what other people see, but my dogs always appear to me to be smiling, and because of that, they always make me smile too.

The work of dogs is to serve and comfort us and watch over us; they are the spirits of angels who come to walk alongside us in life.

This is my family now; my parents are dead, I never see my brother and sister, and my daughter and granddaughter are hundreds of miles away.

Maria is the heart and soul of the farm and my life, and I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude when I see her. Lots of love in that photo.

This is a wonderful family, full of love and happiness. I give thanks to them every day.