It was Christmas morning and I’d tried to slip into my parents’ house quietly. Naturally, I was immediately ratted out as Sandy, my parents’ golden retriever, barked and raced toward me for a belly rub. I slid the bags I was holding onto the counter and proceeded to pet Sandy, who happily wagged her tail and rolled onto her side so I could easily rub her belly. I hadn’t even hung up my coat when my nephew came into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from his eyes and noticed Sandy getting some affect