420 or 4/20 or 4:20 {april 20, 2023}

420 is a slang term (or a kind of code word) referring to marijuana or marijuana use.

Due to this association, 420 is also used as the name of an unofficial holiday that marijuana enthusiasts celebrate by using marijuana. It is sometimes called Weed Day.

420 has a much different meaning for me. It was the day that a sweet little chocolate lab was born. My daughter was taking summer school classes at Miami University, living in a house on campus, and she and a friend decided that they needed a house dog. They saw an ad for Lab puppies, called the owner, and met him in a gas station parking to pick up their little bundle of love that they named Hunter.

Hunter and his housemates had a wonderful summer. When it was time for fall classes and for my daughter to move into her house for the school year, she was so excited to bring her little puppy with her. Then she found out that there was a no pets clause in the lease.

It was a joint decision between my daughter, T, and me that Hunter would come and live with us. He and I became best buds. My little shadow who grew into my 90-pound lap dog.

Hunter’s tail always wagged, he never missed a meal (typical Lab), and he had the softest ears in the world. He loved everyone who walked into our home: appliance repairmen, contractors, neighbors, Girl Scout cookie sellers, family, friends, the carpet cleaner, just everyone. He was with us for 13 years, has been gone for almost three. 

“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” 

~ Dean Koontz