AND THEN I THOUGHT by Marcia Kardatzke

If Ed McMahon kn, my first thought would be, "I will buy some huge ranch or farm somewhere and have a Zillion Golden retrievers running all over (with appropriate fences of course). I'd have a kennel boy named "Bif" who picked up poop and who was a masseuse on the side... But then I thought....I don't have any KIDS at home... A Golden without a child?? Hmmmmm. Well, maybe the grandchildren would be big enough by then to play with the Golden kids. Or...I could RENT children, or open a day care...Golden farm... And THEN I thought...Would each of these beautiful Goldens know MY NAME? Or would I just be the daft old lady that came out to see them while being fed by Bif the kennel boy.. Would they sleep next to my bed every night and occasionally sneak up quietly like Robbie or bounce up like Flyer? Well..maybe they could take turns. A zillion dogs is a lot of dogs. And then I thought..How would I take these zillion dogs in my planes? Ethel can hold two dogs, Bif's plane can hold 5 or 6.. Can they BE WITH me almost all the time, like my Goldens are now? When I say "Who wants to go FLYING would they jump up and down like maniacs knowing that they get to fly with the one they love? Oh..well...maybe I could take a few but certainly not a zillion. And then I thought....Who's eyes would be staring at me intensely as I eat each and every bite of dinner, waiting for the "here you go" treat. Can't put a zillion Goldens in one house..... AND THEN I THOUGHT.....I already HAVE two beautiful Golden boys who think the sun rises and sets on me. They go everywhere with me, plane truck or boat. They sit at my feet during dinner and sleep beside the bed (and often on it) AND....I have a husband who's name isn't BIF but gives really great backrubs and will feed the dogs ..... and then I thought.... THANK YOU GOD...I am truly blessed to have a wonderful husband and two Goldens who think I am the best...... Even if Ed McMahon hasn't knocked on my door....