The Dog That Made Us A Family

What a heartwarming essay of loss, love and redemption. Thank you for it.

This article evoked tears. It was very touching, and I commend the Blanford family for their altruism and strength.

Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the exact words that represent how you feel, but proud seems to be the best one today. I am so utterly proud of both my mom and my little sister. My mother, who exhibited such strength after the loss of her closest friend, and my sister, who has grown up to be such an amazing young woman. She has done so, not in spite of, but because of the tremendous experiences in her life thus far. In a world that increasingly emphasizes material things and a country that depends on them, my sister has done quite well to create balance for herself during adolescence. I attribute so much of Liana's strength, well-roundedness and compassion to my parents, who have always stressed the importance of family and friends over material things. Sure, a pocket dog with a manicure would be fun and cute, but Liana is well aware of her reality: a found family, a found dog and a love that will never be lost.

And yes i do make spelling mistakes.

I am so proud of my mom who has written this article after hearing about the Barack Obama family wanting a dog the night of the inauguration. This article is definitely a proud moment in my family's life. I have always wanted a dog and when we went into the animal shelter i said "I want that one" to the first dog i saw. It was ironic how my mom was unsure of getting a dog and she was the one who picked molly out. Molly's original name was Strawberry but after she ran away we decided to start fresh. I remember one night there was a storm and I woke up with molly in my bed. That was the night my parents decided she could sleep with me. She has gotten so much bigger since we first got her. I've taught her to shake hands, lie down. and roll over. It is hard for me to hear people jump into conclusions about my family just from a article. I am a growing 15 year old girl who loves to dance, sing, and hang out with my 9 girlfriends. Some of the celebrities of today have put a image that drugs, hard partying and clothing styles are the only cool way to go. I think differently most of the time. I will admit i love shihtzu's and beagles (which are the smaller sized dogs. I am so sorry for the loss of your dog Hokulea and i hope you can find a dog that can keep you happy again. I think its wonderful how dogs will always love you as long as you love them back. I am scared for that day i wont wake up to Molly sitting at my door waiting for me to get dressed and take her for a walk.PARIS HILTON is someone i do not know personally but some of her actions have lead her down a road i do not want to go down. I have overcome so many losses in my life and I'm still dealing with them so no woodviolet I am not a shallow person. Debbie i deff. appreciate my dog she has helped me grow and become the person i am today. Brien I am proud of my dog and will love her till the day she is no longer with me. I am a very loyal person thanks to my dog who is loyal to me. Thank you everyone for putting up your opinions especially the negative ones. It shows me the different ways people can see things which is perfectly fine. I hope this helps readers overcome their losses and really know that I'm not Shallow, I am Loyal and my dog has kept this family together. Thank u for my family members for your comments nd hope to see u soon xP luv ya (DEADIT!!!!!)

How quickly other readers have jumped to their own conclusions about this family! It seems that they have misread (or completely missed the point of) that final paragraph. It's not about accessorizing. It's not about pop stars. It's not about teenagers' fads, attention spans, or loyalties.

"For five years now, Molly has slept with Liana every night."

It's about day-in, day-out, digging-deep, sometimes-losing, coming-back-again love. Actually, it's even more than that; it's about family.

I lost my beloved Shihtzu Annabelle to a sudden infection two weeks ago. Her death touched me in places I had not faced in years. She was my first dog and in the 18 months I shared my life with her, her unconditional love transformed my life. I am in an uncertain situation so a new dog is not the right thing right now, but I understand how Molly could touch the little girl so deeply. In her pain Molly was the balm to her wounded soul. A beautiful story and I am glad that all has turned out so well

I lost my beloved Shihtzu Annabelle

As Ginny's eldest daughter (and Liana's big sister) I have to say that my mother would never approve of a dog as being accessory nor does she approve of Paris Hilton as a role model. She hasn't just raised Liana, she also raised two other daughters (myself, a social worker in Chicago) and my other sister (a teacher in the inner-city). In viewing this whole story from afar and from a distance, I can say that given her trials in infancy, the loss of not just one, but TWO mothers, the need to adjust (as an asian) within a mostly black and white High School, Liana is one of the most loving, caring, strong and frankly hilarious teens I know! And she comes to this, not just from her own inner strength -- as a girl that's been through more in her 15 years, than many adults will ever be through -- because of the loving, caring, and strong nurturing that my mom (and dad) has given these past years.
It's hard to fit a person -- a mother or a daughter-- and their personailty within the confines of a My Opinion article. but, I have a feeling that Liana will grow out of the "Attitude" and the need to be "cool." In fact her dream is to become a veterinarian!
The hope is not that we judge the girl or the mom, but that we can find something of ourselves within the story.. and I think that most people can relate to loss, love, and dogs.

As Ginny's eldest daughter (and Liana's big sister) I have to say that my mother would never approve of a dog as being accessory nor does she approve of Paris Hilton as a role model. She hasn't just raised Liana, she also raised two other daughters (myself, a social worker in Chicago) and my other sister (a teacher in the inner-city). In viewing this whole story from afar and from a distance, I can say that given her trials in infancy, the loss of not just one, but TWO mothers, the need to adjust (as an asian) within a mostly black and white High School, Liana is one of the most loving, caring, strong and frankly hilarious teens I know! And she comes to this, not just from her own inner strength -- as a girl that's been through more in her 15 years, than many adults will ever be through -- because of the loving, caring, and strong nurturing that my mom (and dad) has given these past years.
It's hard to fit a person -- a mother or a daughter-- and their personailty within the confines of a My Opinion article. but, I have a feeling that Liana will grow out of the "Attitude" and the need to be "cool." In fact her dream is to become a veterinarian!
The hope is not that we judge the girl or the mom, but that we can find something of ourselves within the story.. and I think that most people can relate to loss, love, and dogs.

Oh btw, I think the caption on the picture should read that Liana is on the right, not the left.

I think this was a cute story. I hope Liana can come to love Molly once again when she is older. I imagine I love my dog a lot more now that I am older than when I was younger and had so many other distractions to feign teenage interest in.

Thank you for this poignant and moving article.

The notion that Paris Hilton is a role model for ANYTHING, but particularly for dog ownership is horrifying. As is, frankly, a girl's desire to -- and a mother's tacit (even if rhetorical) approval of, seeing a dog as an accessory.

I'm sorry, but while Ms. Blanford sees this story as heartwarming, I see it as depressing. Yes, many fifteen year-old girls are shallow, but you would think, given the events described here, that both would try to NOT be shallow. It's also a good example of why parents shouldn't get dogs just for their kids. Kids' attention spans are short, but dogs live for ten to twenty years. It must be very hard to go from supposedly beloved companion to out-of-fashion accessory, and live the rest of your life without that complete love that all dogs (and cats) deserve.

Great story. Very heart warming. That in reality we never grow up, we just grow older, and we can always use a "babyhug" for reasurance. Thanks

Oh come on Brien and Debbie. Liana's 15--what were you like when you were 15? Altruistic and out to save the world? I think not. This was a touching story, Ginny--I enjoyed reading it. What a wonderful person you are for taking on such a huge responsibility and loving Liana like your own.

This was a heartbreaking and poigannt story until we find out the 15 year old Liana would prefer to have a different dog. The dog is loyal but the girl is not.

It's too bad Liana apparently sees Molly as something that can easily be replaced by some other more aesthetic accessory. She may still love dogs, but she doesn't appreciate them.