Marly and Me

So there is a new movie that is out here in South Africa titled "Marley and Me" (I'm sure its out on DVD there in the States). I've been told it chronicles the life of a family who got a lab puppy that looks like our Lani. Our neighbors, however, have decided that Lani is Marley and that Todd and I are living out the movie before their very eyes.  For example, Carolyn, our neighbor who has so often made the comparison, came over to our house and found Lani running directly at her, with me trailing, and a long path behind both of us of muddy paw prints. 

Now, Carolyn and her husband serve with Work and Witness groups and are probably the handiest people I've ever met in my life. So, when flooding started here in southern Africa, and Zambia was hit hard, they were called on to go help for a month. They leave for the States the beginning of May, which meant they had to pack for the next month in the car and trailer, and also have the house ready to leave for their time in the States. That was a huge task and being the good neighbors we are, we offered to help. They gave us some mail to send while they were away, of which was a birthday card with confetti, pictures and really neat card with personal decorations for their grandson's 5th birthday. So, the morning that they leave just happened to be the same morning that our "Marley" decided that she had a personal vendetta with any blue envelope that happened to be in her "territory".    Well, we woke up that morning and found Lani had confetti in her mouth, with ripped chunks of blue envelope and pipe cleaners with plastic balloons all over herself, the dining room and the bathroom. Now, it's one thing to have your dog destroy your stuff, but I had to go over to their house early in the morning and explain why, with everything else they had to do in the last hours before they leave for over half a year, they also needed to add "birthday card" to the list. Rather than buying a new card, they just stuck what was left into a new envelope and explained that since they are living in Africa that the "lion had gotten to it."       That was when they officially dubbed our dog Marley.

So she's had her moments. She's only 4 months old... at least that's what I keep telling myself. That was, until I received a wonderful package from my mother of all things fun and Easter. My family is big on Easter baskets, even though we're all grown. She sent marshmellow bunnies, Peeps, and a bunch of fun things for Em like a bunny book and socks and the most adorable headband with wire flowers on top. I was looking forward to taking her all over town and taking pictures of her in her "Easter hat." But then, the enevitable Marly reared her ugly head. I came home to find a roll of toilet paper eaten, two accidents in separate rooms, Em's used baby wipes all over upstairs... and my daughters beautiful Easter headband mutilated beyond recognition. It was tragic and sad, but I'm sure this won't be the last of the 'Marley Chronicles'... I just hope Em and Grammies can get over their disappointment of the ruined Easter headband!