Dog Days

T - Minus 282 Days

My buddy Spike and I were in separable.

I'd get up early, hit the bathroom to do my business, and then throw on a shirt and shorts for the gym.

Spike would lurch up with a grunt, have a big stretch that he would shake off, and then start wagging his tail anxiously.

At the pantry, I'd get his treat and he'd whine excitedly.

"Sit buddy" and Spike would gyrate between sit and lay - as he got old he preferred to lay instead of any other trick.

While I got some Spark and supplements, Spike would chomp down his treat smacking loudly because I always told him he was a wolf - which he believed as a small 25-pound mutt.

Then I'd say, "Eye of the Tiger" and he'd get excited again as we went to the door and grabbed his leash to walk the neighborhood before I went to the gym.

Spike lived an incredible 16 years and passed riding in the car playing with Ella last Summer.

Sherri and I will likely get another dog soon, but they all are different and require as much or more responsibility as a kid.

Beth brought us Spike as a tiny puppy that someone had abused by burning cigarettes on his paws and carved a jagged Z in his head.

We called him Spike because we thought he would be tiny and it would be funny to give him a tough name.

Maybe you have a recommendation for breed that is good with little kids and likes to walk or maybe a good dog name?

Daily Mission:?Train, play, and walk with your dog today.

For more thought leadership, follow?Kevin Fream .