Smile Every Day.

Continue to take care of my body and strive for healthy eating habits.

Appreciate my job & co-workers more.

Save funds for a “grand” adventure to the Galapagos Islands.

Take chances, trust more.

Finish my half sleeve tattoo.

Make an effort to spend more time with my family, both locally and across the country.

I wish everyone a very Merry New Year with lots of smiles, success, and happiness in the coming year. :)

1. (NOT rushing to the lease in the morning) You won’t pee outside in the pouring rain, why should I?
2. (whining at his food bowl) Mom, some got stuck under the dish and I can’t reach it, help!
3. (tilted side head) – WTF, Mom?!?!
4. (nose in face first thing in morning) Mom, I want belly scratches, kisses, hugs, play time, you name it, I want it…NOW.
5. (not getting out of bed on Saturday morning) Ugh Mom, it’s like…way early…come back to bed and snuggle with me.
6. (mom has tears, jack jumps in my lap) Momma, please don’t cry. Let me wipe those tears away, OK?
7. (yawning while playing a game with mom) This game is so boring, mom.
8. (yelping at his toy box) Mom, you put all my favorite toys at the very bottom of the toy box and I can’t reach them! I need to do roll call on the 15 tennis balls!
9. (Mom pulling out her clogging shoes to practice in the kitchen) OHHHH, Mom’s gonna play with her feet, time to get every single tennis ball and try to get her to accidentally kick them to me!
10. (pushing up against mom while she’s watching T.V on the couch) MMMOOOOOOOMMM, get your butt off my blanket!!
11. (Jack makes a smelly fart then looks at me) WHOA Mom, that was SOO gross. Let me know next time, K thanks? (Then he jumps off the couch and pretends it was ME who did it!!)
12. (Tail wagging really fast while giving mom kisses) Mom, I love you so much! Thanks for being my momma!!

Love,

A Very Proud Dog Momma

This past Friday, I made the ultimate sacrifice of my own feelings and decided to do what was best for Annabelle and give her a new home. It hurt. I won’t lie. It cut me deep and hard. But, I know, deep down, that it was the right decision to make. I’m positive she’ll find a fantastic home and will live a happy, long, healthy life.

After spending time with a good friend this weekend, I realized I was repeating the same behavior I had in my last relationship, in my relationship with Annabelle. I was afraid to let go, trying to cling to the impossible notion that things will sort themselves out, magically. Silly, right? I’ve done quite a bit of self-analyzing recently and it was time to do what needed to be done, and accept the pain as a learning experience. Letting go doesn’t mean to stop loving. In fact, I love her very much and will always love her. She taught me so many great life lessons, such as patience, courage, strength. I hope, even though she’s a dog, that she’ll remember all the happy, fun times we had together. Now seems an appropriate time for a quote from one of my favorite films, Fried Green Tomatoes.

“A heart can be broken, but it still keeps a’beatin’ just the same”.

So true. Due to the events of Friday, I feel the need to keep peace within myself. To take some time to self reflect, sort out old demons, and cleanse my soul. Jack needs my undivided attention right now. He’s going to start to get confused with the absence of his little friend. But, he’s been stressed out for so long due to home issues that maybe this is what he needs right now, too. Just momma and Jack time. I need to find my center, get back on track with my exercising and training, and find my inner peace. One day at a time, right?

I don’t believe in locking up the keys and throwing away everything that ever belonged to Annabelle. So instead, I’m going to post some of my most favorite memories of her to remember her by. She will definitely find a happy home and have many more happy memories. But, I will always be her first momma, the one who gave her a chance, and loved her so so much.