Metamorphosis

How long does it take for a metamorphosis? In Sophie's case it was slightly over two years. It was a miracle. From shy, terrified pup, to well-loved happy pup. It was a journey of faith, trust and joy.

It was not nearly long enough, and just long enough to complete her. It included me, Scary Man, her adoptive Mom and host of others who encountered her along the way.

I can picture her in her safe place under my desk, and I can picture her discovering what it is to be loved. What it is to be safe. What it is to be a just a dog. A loved dog, that is.

And, I can picture her now. Dancing across fields, playing with toys, full of the joy from those who loved her along the way. She is brave, she is happy...and she waits for us just across the Rainbow Bridge.

We Love Our Walkies

For years now I've been a lazy dog owner. Not that the dogs didn't get exercise, it was just that they did it independent of me. I had the luxury of a large yard and could just let them out the door to run and play. Go play, go run, go hunt the yard, please don't eat the flowers.

Things have changed and I am learning a new way of life. It includes taking the dogs for walks instead of just letting them out to play. Yes, I still let them out to play, but it's in yard the size of a postage stamp. Not exactly the same experience for them. So we walk.

They love it! They love it in a wiggle butt, can we go, can we go, can we go now sort of way. I'm not sure they will love it as much in the cold and snow. We may be fair weather walkers, or they may toughen up! Oh wait, maybe I will toughen up.

Truth be told I'm not walking them as much as they are walking me. I've needed to get back to walking, and it's helps my head as I adjust to all these major life changes. So we walk. We walk in the morning and we walk in the evening. And it's good. We walk, and we embrace another aspect of our relationship. I'm not sure who's enjoying it most. And maybe that just doesn't matter.

Pulling Up Roots - Planting Roots

I completely believe everyone should move away from home, to another city, at least once in their life. Preferably when they are young and flexible. Not, me. I did it the hard way. I wanted until I was ancient (in dog years!)

It hasn't been an easy adjustment, for me or the dogs. Although, I think they are more somewhat more adaptable. Their main beef is that fact that we left the large sofa behind. What?? You left it?? That's where we sleep in the morning, it's where we sleep in the afternoon, and where we sleep sometimes at night? We think it's nap abuse to not have it with us. Only problem? It won't fit in the rental house. Sorry dogs...

Then there is the fencing issue. We have to do some to secure the yard. Oh ya, and we have a much smaller yard. It does have trees though, good for squirrel watching. I will appreciate a fenced yard so much after this period of tethering the dogs. Two dogs + three trees = one big tangle of ropes and dogs.

The plus side is we're walking the dogs twice a day. Hank has developed strong feelings for a church down the street. He takes a crap daily on their property. I should tack some waste bags on the tree down there for easy clean up.

Surprisingly it's just as hard to pull up roots, as it is to plant them. Each new thing I do there to establish our new life makes me cry. For the record I am an easy weeper. If there were stats on tears I'd be setting world records. I understand the why, and can anticipate the when...so now I just have Kleenex handy.

In spite of the challenges, it is a joy to be together again. Just as it will be a joy when we have two bathrooms again! We've lost some things, and we've gained others. It is just part of the process of moving in and moving on.

Don't Forget the Treats...

Hank - Hey, where is all the stuff? Why did the big truck take it all away?
Mick - Mummy is still here we have everything we need.
Hank - Do we get to go?
Mick - Mummy promised we would... I'm just not sure where we're going.
Hank - What about treats?
Mick - We have treats...

I suspect moving will not be a big deal for the dogs. Not as big as it is for me. Their yard has a tree. So there will be squirrel hunting, so it's all good. Of course they will have to run tons of small laps instead of having a huge yard to run in. Maybe they will learn to play with each other more. Okay, maybe they will just plain learn to play with each other.

I keep reminding them, or is it me?, we'll have everything we need. And more blessings than we could imagine. Plus we have each other, and treats, we have treats.

So we enter a new chapter in our lives. A new yard to explore, new territory to mark, new rooms to sniff, new places to curl up and have sweet doggie dreams in.

New Beginnings

I now know first hand what it's like to be a foster. World completely turned upside down, different rules, new people, strange surroundings. Few, if any things familiar. It's a scary thing. I may piddle on the floor just from stress. I may be a little bit growly. I may be lonely and mourn the old life.

It is just plain stressful. Truth be told yesterday, my first day in a new city, at a new job, was hard. Away from my kids, dogs and most of my support system. I felt like a dog in a cold, lonely shelter. I cried.

Now, it's not all gloom and doom. It is just a big big change for me. Today was a much better day, and Reno is relieved the tears are not flooding the streets any more.

In the future, I'll be more understanding of fosters and people in transition. I will extend a gentle hand to soften sharp edges of change. I hope those I encounter here will be gentle with me. I'm new, I'm stressed and I need help knowing this is a safe place to call home.

Shhhhushhhh.....

I can distinctly remember my kids slurping their beverage with straws and the noise they would make. If I had a dime for every time I shushed them, or said "quit making that racket". Drink it nice.

Well, let me tell you. Kids slurping have got nothing over dogs licking. Not that I would, but I could lick my hand and no one would ever hear it. But a dog, licking its paw, flank, or bum could break the sound barrier.

I thought Hank was going to lick his butt clear off last night. And I felt for him. I sure don't want mine to be as uncomfortable as his was, ever! He was noisy and miserable, which made me just miserable.

I did all I could for him. Loved up on him, rubbed him, patted him. Told him to quit licking and go lay down. Oh wait, he was already laying down. In the end we both slept fitfully. Today he went to the vet to have that little issue resolved. But that's another whole blog.

Tonight, no licking, none, zip, nada, I hope. Ahhhhh.....silence is a lovely sound.