The dog that lives with us

Laddie, a yellow lab elder gentleman, has been living with us for the past month. He is a temporary resident. In two weeks he will return to be with his longstanding family in the countryside in northern Michigan when they return from Costa Rica.
Laddie is the first dog to live with us. We have always had a cat or two, but never a dog.
For two or three years I have been entertaining the idea of adding a dog to the family, although I knew there would be resistance to the idea. To gain the advantage I acted as though the decision was a done deal. The proposal was so extreme and the supposition that it was a foregone conclusion so absurd that there was little serious argument. Unwavering, I acted calm and confident in my decision, but did not press a timeline. Instead I allowed each reservation to be expressed and then contemplated over time. I never had to push, but never relented from my "decision". The questions kept coming, but without urgency. How do we match our schedule with the dog's needs? How will the morning routine go? How long will he be alone? What about, the senior feline, Siggy's potential objections? The hair, the tracks, barking, chewing and the poop? And later, what size, age and breed? Consistently the brief discussion ended with open questions and the ever present, "well, we're not ready yet anyways". And we all crept closer to being comfortable with the idea.
Laddie was the latest step and he's giving us some real life experience. And I must say it's been overwhelmingly positive. Bonds have been formed and fears have been allayed.
We will miss Laddie, but he did his species proud. Stay tuned.