"It's with the dog."

"It's with the dog" is a phrase that Paul or I may utter on occasion that usually makes little sense in the given moment unless you have lived in our household for many years. We once owned some fish for a few months, but aside from that have avoided any pets that do not turn back into children when playtime is over. We have certainly never had a pet dog. I heard myself say "it's with the dog" once to Savannah and her response was, "what dog?!?" I simply laughed since Paul was not here to agree with my statement nor smile with me at its meaning.

This phrase begun many years ago. Savannah was a baby and had been given one of the softest furry stuffed dogs ever known to mankind. It was brand-new and we had it with us when we were on a trip to visit both grandparents' homes. We both remember having it at "Grammie's house," but have not seen it since. Either a cousin claimed it without our knowledge, it fell out of the car on a pit stop, or it decided it was not being treated well and bailed on our family. It's the only thing we have really ever lost and not found again (other than our minds, but at least they can hang out with the dog). We thought it might show up eventually, but since we've moved three times and it did not reveal its whereabouts, we are pretty sure it is gone forever.

When we can't find something Paul and I both say "it's with the dog" (sometimes at the same time). This has become our phrase for any items that have gone missing and is a great way to shrug it off and share a chuckle. Usually we utter this phrase with smiles on our faces and the currently "missing" item eventually reveals itself. Life goes on yet "the dog" only endures in our memories. It is a nice little reminder of days past when we only had one little baby as well as the many years and experiences we have had together since then. Today as I looked through some old pictures, I happened upon evidence that the dog truly existed in more than our mostly-gone minds. It made me smile and I wanted to let everyone know that if things ever go missing, you can be comforted with the knowledge that they are just hanging out with the dog.