An Invincible Summer - A Woman's Journey

Her mind was made up before I had a chance to affect a change. Once determined, mountains would move before she would switch the object of her affection. She was mine but only in some obscure idea that one of her favorite people purchased her for another of her favorite people. But those people are only there to fill the time and space that has been vacated by her one and only. I gave her food. He took her to the dog park. I gave her snacks to help teach her. He gave her the "STICK OF DOMINANCE". I tried to train her, make her behave. He thought it was funny. I payed for her vet bills. He tells he she will be ok and that she is the bestest ever. I throw the ball. I pet, groom, baby talk, bathe. He gets her absolute unconditional love. ah well....I will settle for the dog scraps.

 A gal in the grocery store asked me about my necklace . She said she loved it so I decided, since there was no one behind me, to tell her the story about how I got it. I had recently allowed my then boyfriend to move in. It didn't feel quite right but I was a different version of myself 7 years ago and I let it happen. He was very convincing. With him he brought way too much stuff for a tiny house with no closets AND two large white dogs. He loved those two chug heads but I would be lying if I told you I had any fondness for them. They had way too many counts against them: They shed. A LOT   They were a direct assault to my olfactory senses. It was a persistent and never ending battle that my nose lost every singe time. Their eyes had boogers. There is no nice way to say this. They were just gooey and yuck.  They drooled. You know...that long stringing kind that when they swung their heads would attack you. Their ears were those long droopy ones, which also frequent...

The Boy Scout and I still have things we are finding out about each other. One reason for that is that in the past neither of us were very “safe” receivers of each others hearts. I had a way of weaponizing information and, truthfully, so did he. The other reason is that we are just getting to know ourselves in ways we never dreamed was possible. I am unable to share what I am not aware of. Today, he shared a sweet part of his heart. We were talking about neighbors and how much gratitude we have for the people on our street. Yesterday the two kids from next door came over with two “Valentimes” cupcakes. "Happy Valetimes", they say with glee as he opens the door. They brought two but they only have eyes for him. It’s the Boy Scout they absolutely love and he loves them back. He could not stop smiling   Later, he says to me, “One thing that makes me feel the presence of God is with children. It’s like He said, “I know you wanted kids and didn’t get them but I’ve made sure that k...

The Boy Scout had been going to the same dog park for 25 years. People and dogs come and go at dog parks, for obvious reasons. For the most part, the owners know the names of the dogs but not their humans and it was not uncommon for folks to say things like “You’re Spots dad” or “Fifi’s mom is over there”.   But the Boy Scout single-handedly started connecting people in real and meaningful ways. So much so that they nicknamed him the mayor of Arroyo Verde park. He relished this new found role where so many folks truly liked hm for being him……just a really nice guy.  When we left, his community threw him a going away bash with champagne and food and stories. Even people who'd lost their dogs showed up. They made him a memory book with pictures of the dogs and their humans with notes. One of his friends ruefully asked, “Who will be the keeper of the names now?” He left that park a better place than when he got there.  On Sunday, we joined a group of new found friends (how I...

Scruffy, our wirehaired Pointing Griffon, gets a daily trip to the dog park. She's now 2 but is still a puppy when she gets there. She is one of the few dogs that runs for the sheer joy of running, doing crazy eights around us and trying to get other dogs to chase her, she will not stop. She likes to be chased. I get it.....I like my man to chase me. Not actually, as my man does not run, but I like to know that he still figuratively chases me, letting me know it's still me he wants. On the other hand, Sophie (our sortof French Bulldog) only gets to go every couple of days or so. It's hard on her old body. She usually sleeps the rest the day away and when she gets up she has a hard time walking. Waddling like an immensely heavy old lady. She hurts but it hasn't taken the spark out of her eyes. Not yet. You may remember that our dogs HATE each other. At first they were buddies, they slept together and spent the days outside with each other, but when Scruffy reached maturi...

It is Thanksgiving eve and we are having a downpour. The total rain we have had so for is 0.21 inches FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! We desperately need this rain. But tomorrow I am having 18 people come for a huge meal. My house is 900 sq. ft. I was counting on some outside access especially for the kidlets. Not sure how this is going to go but I'll put on my happy face and try to make the very best of it. The dogs, who are still trying to kill each other, are taken care of. Scruffy is going visiting with a lady who takes dogs in for a price. That way we don't have to worry about someone accidentally letting a dog loose. I would hate for the little ones to have to watch it. It's quite traumatizing. My boy from Portland is here with his partner and my boy from San Francisco will be here in a few short hours. Aside for the fact that they must stay in a leaky, cold garage, I am happy. My man is joyfully cooking. Wishing you a great day and a wonderful holiday if you are ...

The Boy Scout's 5 broken ribs are on the mend.....slowly. Probably due to his advanced age 😉 It's been a frustrating, encouraging, hard learning experience. Since we've only been together for a little over 4 years, there are still things that we have to learn about each other. This has gone better than I imagined, mainly due to the fact that we both are working hard at emotional growth and being loving, supportive partners. This is all new and goes hand in hand with the ACA program we are both doing. Finally, we are looking for a good home for the best dog I ever owned. Life with these two has become unmanageable. The puppy is now spending way too much time outside alone. The old girl spends way too much time in the house. And we are left trying to avoid another dog fight, another large vet bill, another trip to the hospital, another broken bone. I cannot give up the Frenchie. She is old, she smells bad, snores horribly, and she adores me...it would not be fair. So ...

Yesterday I was playing ball with the puppy. Well, actually, I was playing donuts. She seems to like donuts better than balls. I’m throwing it and she’s going after it with her legs going in every direction, she lumbers to the spot where the donut is sitting and she pounces on it and then growls like she’s a vicious monster. It’s pretty darn adorable. As we played she got distracted and walked off a bit. I called her and told her get the donut and I swung my arm hard to throw it just as she pounced at my direction.  With a good amount of momentum I knocked her in the nose with my fist. She yelped in pain and I felt terrible. A few seconds later, Sophie ran out from bedroom where she had been sleeping.  She quickly ran over, chest out, and proceeded to attack Scruffy. WTF? Where is her momma instinct? Nope, she was out for blood.....ok, ok that’s a bit dramatic but she was pretty mean. Result: I don’t understand dog packs at all. Scruffy enjoying some pizza and beer. ...

This is my baby.....I love her so much! I am her Alpha, to be sure, but the Boy Scout is far and beyond her favorite litter mate. When we go places, this is how she looks at me♥ I know, I know....she looks like Yoda or a gargoyle but when love is concerned, it's about what is on the inside not the outside, right?

Rain, glorious rain. I'd forgotten what it looked like, what it smelled like. Beautiful beyond words. This little house I bought is now home to me, my Boy Scout, one French bulldog, two Clumber Spaniels and a tropical jungle full of plants. While having two big, hairy, white, outdoor dogs is much more conducive to dry climate, the garden has suffered since I purchased the place. Palms, ivies and fruit trees have done OK for the most part but the avocado tree and the delicate ferns, not so much. After receiving my first water bill in excess of $400.00, I had to cut back on usage (there's a drought here in California). Wednesday the tree trimmers will come and take out the giant avo tree which monopolizes the air space in the back yard. Hopefully, the other plants will start to thrive after it is gone and we will be able to start planning the landscaping. The Clumbers are leaving soon and I have very mixed emotions. When they moved in, it was out of necessity as my Boy ...