B&W Sunday: Family

Mom and her siblings, San Antonio, TX

Mom's family had a tradition of taking family pictures at Easter time of all the children in their holiday finery. No matter where the were, France, Germany, Philippines, or Texas there are photos. Mom's family grew up in the Air Force and lived all over the world so this was a way of sharing their lives with families back home. 

Mom with Topper, Biloxi, MS

Last Sunday, Terrier Torrent Gizmo posted a picture of his mom with her first dog for Black and White Sunday blog hop. This gave mom the idea to share her old photos with the family dogs too. But she wanted to do more, she wants to tell the story of how hard it is for military families to have dogs only to have to leave them behind when they go overseas. This is what happened to mom's first dog Topper. Leaving Topper affected mom greatly the rest of her life. She never wants to hear stories about people giving up their dogs for stupid reasons, her family had no choice back then.

San Antonio, TX 1960s

Mom's family had lived in Texas for a few years so it was time for their Dad to get stationed overseas. He left his family behind while he took his assignment in the Philippines. When it came time for his family to join him they took Topper to their vet and the children were told that a new family would adopt him. They were all very sad but understood they couldn't take him with them. Military bases today still have problems with abandoned dogs roaming the bases but nowadays it is much easier for military families to keep their animals.

In so many of Mom's old pictures there are pictures of the family dog. She loves this one of her dad home from the war with his beloved friend. 

Happy Easter everyone.

Love Dolly the Doxie (mix)

xoxox