Doodle!

So you probably remember that it was a year ago that we lost our family dog, McHann. She was the sweetest, kindest, most wonderful dog in the whole world. And we still miss her. But slowly, we've started feeling more and more ready to open our house and our hearts up to another doggy friend.

And so, dear friends, on Friday night we did something TOTALLY CRAZY INSANE and put a deposit down. ON A PUPPY!! Surely this was temporary insanity but I am SO EXCITED.


One of these little Golden doodles will be ours in the near future. They are only 2 weeks old now, so have some growing to do. We looked at shelter dogs and while I was fine getting a pup who needs a home, the husband maintained the position that he didn't want a dog who's past he didn't know because our kid is still so little. I get that. So we are getting a puppy from a breeder the next state down and OMG are we just peeing our pants with puppy-craziness all of a sudden.

Golden doodles are supposed to be awesome family dogs, low-to-no shedding and a good medium size. And they are SO CUTE!

Don't know if we'll get a male or female yet...there are 6 pups, 4 female and 2 male and we're 4th on the list to get to pick ours. We've got girl and boy names so we're prepared for whatever.

This feels right. It feels like its time and I'm so glad Little O is going to grow up having a dog around. Squee! Now we're just counting the days until the little barker comes home!

Bottoms Up

This summer, so far, has turned out to be all about self improvement and feeling good. Not on purpose, mind you, at least not in the sense that it was premeditated. But the husband and I have just shifted somehow, into a place where it genuinely feels good to be exercising daily and eating well.

I'm now able to jog 3 miles at a reasonable pace- I won't be winning a 5K anytime soon but I'm still pretty fuckin' stoked that I can do this. My body feels leaner and stronger. I have more stamina and the occasional sleepless night that still seems to be plaguing our lives feels less onerous. I don't know if I've lost weight (I simply have not checked) but my clothes are fitting better and I don't feel as jiggly, so...probably?

Our cooking has taken a largely vegetarian, vaguely middle eastern turn- lots of tabouli, felafel, hummus, grilled boneless skinless chicken breast (which yeah, I know, NOT vegetarian, but pretty different from the constant tacos, chili, and baby back ribs of last summer)...I love summer and the charcoal grilling. No soda this summer, with the exception of the ginger ale in the Moscow Mule because HELLO? Best summer drink EVER. Beer is still in the equation as well, because a life without it is simply not worth living. All things in moderation, holmes.

And so here we are, nearly to August, my birthday month. I gotta confess, I DO feel a little bit older and wiser this year. And that's a good thing. The wiser part, anyway.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm kind of dreading my birthday. Not for the reasons you'd think- 32 doesn't really scare me any more than 31 did. It's just that it marks the 1 year anniversary of the day we lost McHann. It was such a horrible, sad, sad day, my birthday last year. It's going to be hard not to think of what we went through on the floor in that vet's office...holding her, speaking softly and watching the light leave her beautiful brown eyes. Afterwards, we went to a park on the edge of town, sat side by side and looked at the mountains thinking about and agonizing over what had just happened. Then we went to the Buckhorn for Jager shots.

Maybe if I flesh out all this stuff before my birthday it will not be as crappy? Worth a (Jager) shot, anyhow.

Still Here

We are keepin' on keepin' on. No matter what tragedies befall us, the world keeps on spinning and we have to spin with it, no? (Now, if I could just not be so DIZZY...)

McHann died on my 31st birthday and let me tell YOU, that put a damper on things. I had a bit of a re-do on Monday, taking the day off and shopping with a girlfriend. But things have been subdued. Just parenting, working, nursing, eating, sleeping...some knitting thrown in for good measure. (I am working on the most DELIGHTFUL little project! Should be done sometime in the next couple weeks at which point I will most certainly share!)

The Husband is doing remarkably well, helping out around the house a bit more than normal which I certainly won't complain about. He's been looking at puppies online and while I think its early for that, I'm glad he wants another dog at some point in the future. Its important to me that O grows up with pets. Dogs have a great deal to teach us about love, patience, nobility, loyalty...and I'd hate for Little O to miss out on those lessons.

Haven't caught much of the DNC this week...I keep meaning to watch some speeches on YouTube but you know how it goes...the day just flies by and before you know it, its 10pm and you still have to wash your pump parts and bag your milk for the next day. From what I've gleaned from various blogs/the newspaper/etc., Michelle Obama's speech is one to see as well as Hillary Clinton's. Maybe this weekend, I'll have a chance to catch up...

McHann

McHann
Dec. 1997- Aug 23, 2008
R.I.P.

Sad

Dear McHann,

We found out yesterday that you are leaving us. Your mind is there, but your body is failing. It will probably be today or tomorrow that we will need to help you leave. We don't want you to be in pain. We love you too much to try and selfishly hold on while you are suffering.

Let me just say that I cannot imagine a better dog. You have been in our family for nearly 11 years and each one of those has been precious to us. Sure you have had health problems (remember the time we had to take out a freaking loan to fix your ear??), and done some stupid shit (hello bath towels? NOT FOOD!) but it was worth every vet visit/cent and we wouldn't trade you for any other pooch.

Through all your trials, through moving, through having your world turned upside down by a little screaming thing in diapers, you have remained sweet and kind-hearted. Sure you got a little jealous of the baby, but that's understandable! You were our 'baby' before he came along. We tried not to neglect you after he showed up but I know that all of our lives changed a lot- including yours.

You were always up for anything and loved walks, hikes, rides in the car, milk bones, and any people food you could get. I was always a sucker for this and the Husband would tsk-tsk when he saw me slip you some goody off my plate. I knew it was a no-no but I couldn't resist those big brown eyes and the one-eared, earnest expression. You loved tennis balls and your collection of stuffed animals. Your very favorites were your chickens (my mom would send you a new one every year as that is about the length of time for them to get loved to death. :-).

Whenever we took you out, we got compliments, "What a beautiful dog!" You would very dutifully allow strange children to pet you and get excited when meeting new people.

I could go on and on, listing the wonderful things about you and all the great times we had. I hope we gave you a good life. I think we did. You have enriched our lives so much.

I love you and am so sorry to see you go. You will be greatly missed.