I've lost track of what day it is or for that matter, even what month has rolled around on the calendar.
Having a puppy is vaguely reminiscint of my earlier single mother days. You just keep doing what you need to do and keep putting one foot forward. Everything eventually gets done and you begin to realize that all the stressing in the world doesn't change the situation. So, you relax into the idea and everything ends up working out fine. Sleep is the challenge for me.
Last night, I actually felt like staying up and watching a movie. When I got to bed (probably around 10:30) I wasn't really sleepy so, I just pondered my life. I think this dog will be wonderful for me and after we get through the puppy stage it's going to be awesome. My little guy (I've yet to name him) is spunky and somewhat obedient. I'm working on teaching him to sit (which is no small feat considering that pups have the attention span of an ant).
I am determined that he will be a well-behaved and very companiable dog. My next move is to find out about training. I spoke with someone yesterday who comes to your home and evaluates the dog and then each week (for 6 weeks) for an hour you train him with the trainer to be wonderdog. It's amazing when you see dogs that have been trained. They want to be given direction and have boundaries set for them. What I love most is that they "aim to please".
How many men have that same intention?
The trainer said that the earlier you start them the easier it is to train them from having any bad behaviours.
He's in his pen right now and barking a bit. I have to be strong and not give in to that or he will use that to get my attention. I'm going to call the trainer today and set something up. I feel so blessed that I get to have this dog. I really want to respect my neighbors and have a well mannered dog so, I'd better get crackin' and get the training started.
I'm still at a loss for a name. Not because I haven't thought of any or that my friends and family haven't given me suggestions it's just that nothing seems to fit. I've got to come up with something before I start the training because how can you train a dog with no name?
My home has become quite the menagerie. I have my cat Lola, a couple of parakeets affectionately called "The Budgie Boys" and now my little white cotton ball pup. I thank God for them. They have bridged the chasm of learning to be single and live alone. It's not easy by any means especially for someone so rooted in family. But, they are my family now no matter what.
I don't argue with them or have differences. They never abandon me, speak harshly or hurt my feelings. They shower me with unconditional love and acceptance, are always glad to see me and live in my world without complaint.
What more could any human being ask for?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
How much is that doggie in the window?
It was an impulsive thing to do. I had merely planned on going to the pet store to look at the different breeds. Certainly not to buy. I had read all the warnings about pet stores but, quite frankly, what's the difference between a pet store and the pound? You still don't know much about the dogs past history. The pet store does give you a guarantee against any genetic defects for 1 year. That is much more than you would get from the pound
So, I called my daughter and instead of our ususal lunch or shopping date on Monday's, I asked if we could go to the pet store. Being an animal affecionado, she said yes so, off we went to just "LOOK "at the puppies.
As we entered the pet store, we were greeted with wagging tails and buzzing, frenetic energy. The place was busseling with adults and children. The first dog I looked at was a Yorkshire terrier. Unfortunately, this little guy must have had something else in his genes because he didn't really look much like a yorkie and he didn't have a very cute face. The breed that I was really interested in was a Maltese or a Maltichon which is a mix of maltese and bichon frise.
I had decided that I wanted a female so, the next dog I looked at was a female maltese but, I didn't feel any kind of connection to the dog. Wait! two little black eyes were peering at me and
this dog was all of about 2.5 lbs and looked like a big cotton q-tip. We asked to see the dog and my daughter cautioned me about the fact that this dog was a male to which I replied, "oh, it's o.k. honey, I'm just going to look at him". Yeah right. That's all it took. He had the sweetest face and when we put him down on the ground he looked like a little hampster because he was so low to the ground.
I'm blogging right now and he's in my bedroom taking a snooze. I've heard about buyers remorse and I think that's what's going on with me. The responsibility is daunting with a puppy.
Not to mention that it's a lifelong commitment. The big "C". And that is something that I've been so apprehensive about. But, I pushed through my fear and now I have a dog.
The first two nights, I barely slept. Not because of the dog but, because of me being neurotic and thinking that I might do something wrong and damage him forever. He's really quite sweet and hardly barks. Last night out of sheer exhaustion, I slept a good 8 hours and although today I'm still a little tired, I think I'll have a different perspective.
Getting this dog was a big step for me. I'm proud of myself for pushing through the fear and I have a funny feeling that this is the prelude for me allowing a man in my life.
I figure it's the prelude to having a man in my life.
So, I called my daughter and instead of our ususal lunch or shopping date on Monday's, I asked if we could go to the pet store. Being an animal affecionado, she said yes so, off we went to just "LOOK "at the puppies.
As we entered the pet store, we were greeted with wagging tails and buzzing, frenetic energy. The place was busseling with adults and children. The first dog I looked at was a Yorkshire terrier. Unfortunately, this little guy must have had something else in his genes because he didn't really look much like a yorkie and he didn't have a very cute face. The breed that I was really interested in was a Maltese or a Maltichon which is a mix of maltese and bichon frise.
I had decided that I wanted a female so, the next dog I looked at was a female maltese but, I didn't feel any kind of connection to the dog. Wait! two little black eyes were peering at me and
this dog was all of about 2.5 lbs and looked like a big cotton q-tip. We asked to see the dog and my daughter cautioned me about the fact that this dog was a male to which I replied, "oh, it's o.k. honey, I'm just going to look at him". Yeah right. That's all it took. He had the sweetest face and when we put him down on the ground he looked like a little hampster because he was so low to the ground.
I'm blogging right now and he's in my bedroom taking a snooze. I've heard about buyers remorse and I think that's what's going on with me. The responsibility is daunting with a puppy.
Not to mention that it's a lifelong commitment. The big "C". And that is something that I've been so apprehensive about. But, I pushed through my fear and now I have a dog.
The first two nights, I barely slept. Not because of the dog but, because of me being neurotic and thinking that I might do something wrong and damage him forever. He's really quite sweet and hardly barks. Last night out of sheer exhaustion, I slept a good 8 hours and although today I'm still a little tired, I think I'll have a different perspective.
Getting this dog was a big step for me. I'm proud of myself for pushing through the fear and I have a funny feeling that this is the prelude for me allowing a man in my life.
I figure it's the prelude to having a man in my life.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sunday, Sunday, so good to me
Being single and over 50 on a Sunday presents a plethora of opportunities.
On a beautiful, sunny California day it's hard to stay indoors so, rather than watch the football game (like most of the entire city since the Chargers were playing), I opted to get out and enjoy the sunshine.
Now mind you, what is the favorite pastime of most women? You didn't have to think about that one for long...of course, it's shopping. So, I thought that's where I'll start.
I'm not one to Mall shop often but, on occasion, it's a grand way to fill the senses plus, (being the eternal explorer) I get to see what is happening in the world. As I walk the mall I am bombarded with frenetic activity (when you live alone this can be a shock to your system) and coupledom (hardest around Christmas and Valentines day) is everywhere in view. Now, watching couples is just fascinating to me. I find myself fantasizing about what kind of life they might live and if they are really happy together. My thoughts drift into an imaginary scenario of their morning together.
He: Morning honey. Did you sleep well? (Sun is streaming through the window while a gauzy curtain gently billows and ripples with the lazy morning breeze)
She: Well, what do you think after all that activity last night? ( her beautiful white teeth glisten as the morning sun spills on to her alabaster shoulders).
He: I can arrange for a little more activity this morning ( he breaks into a wide grin)
She: Now honey, we've got a lot to do today............
Well, you get the picture. It's not that I am lonely or even sure that I want a relationship at this point but, my mind insists on playing this game.
Even if I don't go into the store, the windows are a panarama of the "latest looks", "must have's" and "can't do without's". I am determined that I will not succumb and I am just "exploring" so I browse in a few stores before deciding to lunch at Nordie's.
One cannot shop on an empty stomach so, I order a tempting chicken salad and enjoy every bite before I complete my shopping extravaganza.
Sephora lures me inside and I loose all restraint and purchase the latest in organic skin care, new paint for the lips, and a liner to keep it from "bleeding" into the little tiny lines that surprisingly surfaced once I got new glasses.
I am now satiated (not just with my chicken salad but also with my purchases). I finish walking the mall and decide to head for home.
"The Christmas tree must come down" I tell myself as I amble towards my car. On the way home I call my daughter to finalize our lunch for tomorrow and glance into the rear view mirror for a quick check on my new lip paint. It looks good... It looks really good. There is no chance that these lips will get messed up because after all...it's Sunday and I'm single.
On a beautiful, sunny California day it's hard to stay indoors so, rather than watch the football game (like most of the entire city since the Chargers were playing), I opted to get out and enjoy the sunshine.
Now mind you, what is the favorite pastime of most women? You didn't have to think about that one for long...of course, it's shopping. So, I thought that's where I'll start.
I'm not one to Mall shop often but, on occasion, it's a grand way to fill the senses plus, (being the eternal explorer) I get to see what is happening in the world. As I walk the mall I am bombarded with frenetic activity (when you live alone this can be a shock to your system) and coupledom (hardest around Christmas and Valentines day) is everywhere in view. Now, watching couples is just fascinating to me. I find myself fantasizing about what kind of life they might live and if they are really happy together. My thoughts drift into an imaginary scenario of their morning together.
He: Morning honey. Did you sleep well? (Sun is streaming through the window while a gauzy curtain gently billows and ripples with the lazy morning breeze)
She: Well, what do you think after all that activity last night? ( her beautiful white teeth glisten as the morning sun spills on to her alabaster shoulders).
He: I can arrange for a little more activity this morning ( he breaks into a wide grin)
She: Now honey, we've got a lot to do today............
Well, you get the picture. It's not that I am lonely or even sure that I want a relationship at this point but, my mind insists on playing this game.
Even if I don't go into the store, the windows are a panarama of the "latest looks", "must have's" and "can't do without's". I am determined that I will not succumb and I am just "exploring" so I browse in a few stores before deciding to lunch at Nordie's.
One cannot shop on an empty stomach so, I order a tempting chicken salad and enjoy every bite before I complete my shopping extravaganza.
Sephora lures me inside and I loose all restraint and purchase the latest in organic skin care, new paint for the lips, and a liner to keep it from "bleeding" into the little tiny lines that surprisingly surfaced once I got new glasses.
I am now satiated (not just with my chicken salad but also with my purchases). I finish walking the mall and decide to head for home.
"The Christmas tree must come down" I tell myself as I amble towards my car. On the way home I call my daughter to finalize our lunch for tomorrow and glance into the rear view mirror for a quick check on my new lip paint. It looks good... It looks really good. There is no chance that these lips will get messed up because after all...it's Sunday and I'm single.
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