A Dog….REALLY?!

Yup, that’s the reaction I’ve gotten from a lot of people when I tell them I got a dog. WHAT!?…you travel so much?! How will you work that in to your lifestyle? Yes, I have been traveling quite a bit these past few years and loving every minute of it. I’ve traveled alone, I’ve traveled with friends, I’ve visited places I’ve always dreamed about and I’m still looking forward to more adventures and re-visiting my favorites. BUT….I kind of felt like it was time to slow down on the travel, add a dog and get ready for the the next chapter of my life…grand-parenting.

For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven…Ecclesiastes (…and Pete Seeger too!)

I grew up with dogs & cats & pet mice & pet guinea pigs…a whole menagerie. At one time when I was young I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. We had a small dog when the kids were growing up, who died over 9 years ago, and it was time to bring a furry friend back into my life. So, yes, I got a dog. Her name is Zoey and she’s perfect! She’s a 5 year old yellow lab and, except for an operation to remove a growth (which was just gross & expensive!), she has been so easy, knew how to use the doggy door and can fetch all day long. My son and daughter-in-law have an awesome yellow lab named Prince that is so well trained & that I love. I think of Zoey as the west coast, female, version of Prince! ….although definitely not as good on/off leash!

By getting a dog it literally grounds me a bit…and I don’t mean “staying grounded”..I feel I’m already a pretty grounded person…but, again, literally to keep me at home more. I’ve been pretty care-free (except for the obvious challenges I’ve faced) these past 5 years and I was kind of ready for the added responsibility that a dog entails. I’ve had her almost three months now and I love coming home to that smiling face that is so excited to see me! ….and there’s the added bonus of possibly meeting that perfect guy at the dog beach…a girl can hope!

So, sure, I’ll still travel for rowing, but my planned travel will mostly be to see my son and daughter-in-law in Brooklyn…with occasional home exchanges here and there.  She’s so great with other dogs that she’s happy being boarded or just hanging out at friend’s homes when I’ll be out of town. Another step on my road to grandparenthood!

You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails!