Lessons From a Dog

More often than not, we wonder just what our dog is thinking and wish that she could speak English. We can get a pretty good idea of how she feels by her body language - tail wagging or tucked under as far as it will go, happy shiba screaming vs. growling, ears up or pressed against her head, etc, etc.

A couple days ago, I came across a blog post on pinterest (I know...I am becoming one of those people that refers everything back to pinterest and I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that). I loved it. And, while I didn't repin it (I don't have any interest in pinning quotes or stories - although, obviously, I don't mind when others do), but I did email a copy of the link to Hunter because I just loved it.

In quick summation, the post was written by a vet who was attending to a sick dog who needed to be euthenized and it's owners - mom, dad, and a 6 year old son. The son made the profound statement of, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long." Well put. The author then goes on to give a list of things that we could learn if dogs were our teachers. Here it is:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

I literally was laughing out loud as I was reading the list because it is so true! Our dog regularly takes part in all of the above. How much more simple and happy would life be if we took some of that advice? Obviously, some of that is for humor's sake and only applies to a dog, but if we were to apply the gist of it to our own lives I think it would make us in general, happier people.

Here's to not letting the little things get you down and trying to live life to it's fullest - and happiest - potential.

Success!

I bit the bullet and did it. I bought a pair of Vibrim five finger shoes. 

Yes, I know they look ridiculous. Yes, I know that any pants/capris/shorts that I will ever want to wear with them will look ridiculous. Yes, I secretly make fun of myself when I wear them - so please feel free to do the same. 

Buuuut, then, when I am wearing them, they are great! I have never been a big fan of shoes, so these are exactly what I need. It seriously feels like I am barefoot but I don't have to worry about stepping on something my barefoot wouldn't like. See, it's the best of both worlds. All it took was getting over a little bit of pride and sense of fashion (wait...do I even have one of those?). They are totally worth it. 

Today I went for my first run in them. I successfully completed just over 2.5 miles in about 25 minutes...which is great time for my first real run* in probably over two years. Everything about today's run felt great. My calves feel like jello at the moment though so we'll see how it really went come tomorrow. Apparently it takes very different muscles to run barefoot. I do think I am in a lot better shape than I expected though. 

*Real Run: running consistently without stopping to walk or running out of motivation part way through. Or just plain justifying walking because if I don't have to expend the energy, then why do it? Right?

So, you may be asking now why did I buy new running shoes if I haven't completed a real run in a real long time. Well here it is: I have been wanting to start running again for a while now. My old shoes (the ones I got just post half marathon - Fall 2009) were done for. I couldn't even complete a shift at work without them hurting me. A couple weeks ago, I decided I was going to do it and bought the shoes. Today, I bought new running clothes. Now I have no excuses - these purchases need to be justified. I even have a goal to work towards: The Dirty Dash on June 2nd. After today I feel like it is sooo doable! And who knows - maybe we'll even works towards a Tough Mudder. 

Happenings

Our last month or so without word clutter.

People Watchers Unite

I've always enjoyed watching the funny things people do and as it turns out, Hunter enjoys that too. Depending on where you are, you can be occupied for significant amounts of time. I'm sure many of you can relate. 

Turns out our little dog enjoys this past time more than anyone else I have ever met. 

Every single day she spends lots of time standing on the couch and looking out the window. Sometimes she will spend upwards of an hour in that position - barely moving. 

Maybe she's really looking out the window and dreaming of endless fields full of wonderful smelling grass and various chase-able items?

Seriously, this happens every day. Multiple times. 

She's such a funny little dog. I do wish very much that she could speak english. Perhaps then we could understand this little obsession of hers a little better. 

March is a Good Month

March is a good month. Want to know why? It is when all our birthdays occur - mine on the 7th, Hunter's on the 27th and our little dog was born on the 8th. My mom's birthday is also in March, on the 4th. This year, all of us kids were able to go home and celebrate. 

Kenny flew in from Canada and told my mom the plan was for him to ride to Parowan with a friend, when in reality he was going to come with my and my appearance would be a surprise. Despite a few bumps in the road - my almost blowing the surprise the Sunday before, my car dying in the middle of an intersection on Tuesday and refusing to start again - we made it with all things according to plan! Britt was able to join us a few hours later, and of course Kurtis who still lives at home was already there.

We had a super fun and relaxing weekend. We all just kinda hung out and caught up on each others lives. 

For my mom's birthday, we all gave her presents (which she declared are pretty awesome when you have grown kids) and had cake to close out the day. It was a yummy chocolate raspberry cake. Mmm, mmm, good!

And of course, this little dog joined in on all the fun. Everyone loves her and she loves all the attention she can get. 

Side note: I downloaded a new app that allows me to group pictures together nicely. Kinda cool. 

When we got back home, Hunter and I decided it was time to try out the dog park with Ameya again. Our last attempt wasn't so successful because she is protective and overwhelmed by all the other dogs. This time though was far more successful. She played with the other dogs, chased them around, and even wanted them to chase her too. It was great and we will definitely be going back soon. 

Isn't she cute?

For my birthday I had the day off, but Hunter had to work. We were able to enjoy a yummy breakfast and have a wonderful morning before he had to take off. Among other things, I got a food processor! I have wanted one for so long. haha. I'm sure many great things will come of this gift. 

That's all for now! 

I have a problem.

My problem is this:

I don't want series to end. Whenever I read a book series, I just want it to keep going and going. I get so absorbed in the characters and the plot that I don't want to finish.

My latest obsession: The Hunger Games Trilogy

I have read them before, but rest assured that they are just as addictive round two. I didn't ever really want to put the books down. I read all three in a very short amount of time. However; just like I always do, I stretch out the last one as long as I can. I resist my urge to drop everything and read so that the story can continue just a little bit longer. Alas, I finished Mockingjay today. I can take solace in the fact that the series is over so I am not left hanging for an unknown amount of time waiting for the next book to come out.

I can also take solace in the fact that the movie comes out in less than a month! This was my reason for re-reading the books, not that I needed extra motivation, the story line speaks for itself.

We Have a Bad Dog.

Something happened in Ameya when she got spayed. Maybe in her anger over us taking her ovaries she is lashing out. Or, maybe because of her lack of ability to have offspring she has thrown caution to the wind. Or maybe she is still recovering from the fact that she went 3 days in a row without a walk (over 2 weeks ago now...).

Whatever it is I hope she gets over it soon.

Today she decided to jump out of my moving car window. No, I'm not kidding. Luckily she came out unscathed.

Every once in a while when we are in the car (whenever it is warm enough) I roll down the window so that Ameya can stick her head out. She loves it so much. She will glue her little ears to her head and close her eyes and get lost in the wonderfulness that is the wind against her face.

We were on our way to a big field pretty close to our house that we like to let her run in. I had just turned into the parking lot (and was going fairly slow) when she decided to jump out the window. It all happened so fast that I wasn't sure what was going on until I saw her tumbling along on the road beside my car. Needless to say, I was TERRIFIED that I was going to run her over.

I have flashes of her getting run over almost every time we cross the street. I am sure that this little incident will only make that worse. Also, I'm pretty sure I am forever scarred and my flashes will now change to me being the one running her over like I came so close to doing today.

She has a pretty low pain tolerance, which we have always known. Even at the possibility of pain being inflicted she gives a nice little shiba scream for us. She made no noise at all today. Maybe the surprise of the impact distracted her from the initial roll on the ground or maybe it really didn't hurt her, but there was no noise involved at all. When I was able to make sure I wasn't going to run over her, stop my car and get out she came happily prancing right over like nothing had happened. She also ran around the park as usual.

Needless to say, she won't be getting the window rolled down ever again. At least not for a very loooong time and the window will definitely never be rolled down all the way again. Ever.