The ornate Christmas tree shimmered with lights, and the air was thick with the scent of pine needles and gingerbread. But the festive cheer in our household was quickly overshadowed by a furry, four-legged surprise. My husband, bless his heart, had decided to gift me a puppy for Christmas.
Now, I love dogs. Absolutely adore them. But at 76, with our children long grown and flown, and our lives settled into a comfortable routine of leisurely walks and quiet evenings, a puppy felt like a bomb had been dropped on our peaceful existence.
“Surprise!” my husband announced, beaming as he led a wriggling, yipping creature into the living room. It was a golden retriever puppy, the cutest, most adorable creature I had ever seen. But the initial delight quickly gave way to a wave of apprehension.
Our children, who had visited earlier that day, were less than thrilled. “Dad, really?” my daughter exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. “A puppy? At your age?” My son, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, “Who’s going to walk it every day? Who’s going to clean up after it? Who’s going to deal with the barking and the chewing?”
My husband, oblivious to the brewing storm, was already enthralled. He was naming the puppy “Champ” and making grand plans for long walks in the park. I, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how to break the news to the dog walker we’d used for our previous dog, who had sadly passed away a few years ago.
The next few days were a whirlwind. The puppy, true to breed, was a whirlwind of energy. He chewed on shoes, barked incessantly, and peed on the rug (multiple times). My husband, bless his heart, was in his element. He spent hours playing fetch in the backyard, his face beaming with joy.
But the reality of the situation quickly set in. The sleepless nights, the constant cleaning, the endless walks in the rain – it was taking a toll. My husband, despite his initial enthusiasm, was starting to look weary. His back ached, and his energy levels were dwindling.
One evening, as I watched him struggle to lift the exuberant puppy onto the couch, I realized something had to change. I sat him down and had a serious conversation. I explained how much I appreciated his thoughtfulness, but that perhaps a puppy wasn’t the best fit for us at this stage in our lives.
He looked at me, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. But then he smiled. “You’re right,” he conceded. “Maybe a puppy is a bit much right now.”
We decided to find a loving home for Champ. It was a difficult decision, but we knew it was the right one. We found a wonderful young couple who were eager to give Champ the attention and energy he deserved.
While we missed the playful puppy, we also enjoyed the return of our peaceful evenings. And my husband, to my surprise, seemed to enjoy the extra time to pursue his hobbies – gardening and reading – without the constant demands of a rambunctious puppy.
In the end, the Christmas puppy incident taught us a valuable lesson: sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that truly fit into our lives. And sometimes, the most loving thing to do is to let go.
Dolly Parton sings The Beatles’ song “Let It Be” with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr — listen to it here!
After over 50 years in music, Dolly Parton is now a real rock star. The cherished country legend is finally putting out her long-awaited rock album called “Rockstar,” and she’s teaming up with some of the biggest names in music history to do it.
Dolly just released the latest single from her album, a cover of The Beatles’ timeless song “Let it Be.” Many have covered this beloved tune before, but this one is extra special because it features both living Beatles, Sirs Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr!
Few artists can bring together arguably the greatest band ever, but Dolly did it. Although Paul and Ringo have worked together occasionally, having them both on board is still a major achievement.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Sir Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney attend the Disney Original Documentary’s “If These Walls Could Sing” London Premiere at Abbey Road Studios on December 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Disney+)
And if having two Beatles wasn’t enough, the song also includes Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood on drums, making it a truly star-studded recording.
The spiritual, gospel-inspired song is a great match for the 77-year-old country icon, and Dolly gives it her all in her performance — have a listen:
The song has received praise from both critics and fans of Dolly Parton and The Beatles.
One YouTube comment reads, “I got goosebumps from the first few words… by halfway through I was in tears! Thank you, Dolly, Paul, Ringo, and everyone involved in this incredible recording!”
Another comment says, “Great version of an iconic song by the legends themselves! A lively and powerful rendition. Thanks to all!!”
And another emotional comment reads, “No words… just tears… amazing… so much gratitude to these incredible legends for bringing this inspiring piece to a new generation. ‘Let it Be’ is exactly what this world needs right now.”
Blueee77 / Shutterstock.com
“Let it Be,” first released in 1970, remains one of the Beatles’ most cherished and inspiring songs. Although credited to Lennon-McCartney, Paul McCartney wrote it after dreaming about his mother, Mary Patricia McCartney, who passed away when he was 14.
Recorded during the band’s famous yet turbulent “Get Back” sessions, it served as the Beatles’ final single before their breakup in 1970. The song also lent its name to their last album, adding a bittersweet connection to the band’s farewell.
Dolly Parton’s album, Rockstar, is set to be released on November 17. She first hinted at making a rock album last year when she turned down her nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dolly said she hadn’t “earned the right” to be inducted because she hadn’t made a rock & roll album yet.
“I hope the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and consider me again if I ever deserve it,” she wrote. “This has inspired me to finally make a rock ‘n’ roll album, which I’ve always wanted to do!” She also mentioned that her husband is a “total rock ‘n’ roll fan.”
Rockstar will have some new songs written by Dolly, but mostly it features covers of classic rock songs, often with the original artists joining in.
The track list includes:
- “Every Breath You Take” featuring Sting
- “Baby, I Love Your Way” with Peter Frampton
- “Heart of Glass” with Debbie Harry
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with Elton John
- “Free Bird” with Lynyrd Skynyrd
Besides “Let It Be,” Dolly has released two other singles from the album: an original song called “World on Fire” and a cover of Queen’s “We Are the Champions”/“We Will Rock You,” which also promotes the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Leave a Reply