Eva Faircloth

people@gulfcoastnewspapers.om

If you read this column about a month ago, you will remember we were contemplating adding a furry friend to our household. Well, we did it.

His name is Hoss and he is an 85-pound ball of love, fun, fur and a few ounces of aggravation. But, then again, so are my kids.

Last week, we experienced our first toy fatality at the paws of Hoss. Let me explain. With baseball season upon us, we ventured to one of the big box stores to purchase a new glove for Gavin. This will be Gav’s third season and, finally, he seems to be on the grow.

After purchasing Gav’s new equipment, we practiced outside the remainder of the afternoon. We continued everyday after school last week. Both of my future Babe Ruth’s wanted to do nothing else. They forgot about their video games or afternoon cartoons. It was great!

All week, my two Little Sluggers remembered to put their gloves and balls away after practicing. At least that’s what I thought until I spied something slightly gnarled laying behind a chair in the dining room.

I approached the object with dread, recognizing the tan and black at an instant, but hoping it wasn’t so. Hoss apparently decided he preferred the leather of Gavin’s $11.99 teeball glove to the plastic of his rubber chew toy.

The husband hated to show the gnarled mess to Gavin, but it had to be done. Gav’s eyes began to wail up. Lee’s heart melted. We were headed back to the store.

As we gazed at the wall of sporting goods, Gavin said, “I want a different one this time…one that Hoss can’t chew up.”

I’m new to this pet thing, but I’m pretty sure that isn’t possible.  

Eva Boyington Faircloth is the mother of two boys, Gavin, 6, and Ethan, 4 1/2. She and her husband reside in Loxley. Eva can be reached at people@gulfcoastnewspapers.com and welcomes your comments.