King of the Wild Frontier

At this time a year ago, I was well into the dog search process. Lady needed a buddy.

I knew I wanted a smaller dog this time around. But also a grown dog, not a puppy. So I looked and looked... and I came across a pup on the OKC Animal Welfare site that caught my eye.

I went to check him out, but alas, he was gone to an adoption event that day. So I prowled around the shelter and came THISCLOSE to taking home a little black lab puppy. But I decided to head out to the adoption event, since I'd come so far to see this dog.

I walked in and immediately saw him. He caught my eye and stared me down. I walked through the rows of dogs, trying to play it cool (why???), when the woman next to me said, "I think that little guy likes you." I walked him around the store. He peed on everything (men). I took him by the big dogs to see how he'd react and he was curious and friendly.

So I signed the papers and took him home. And promptly told him his new name was Davy Crockett.

In three words- he is brave, cute, and naughty. This dog knows no fear... which I worry will be to his detriment one day. I admire his courage and his strength. He has been through some tough health problems this year that have broken my heart, but his spirit is strong! He is also the most wonderful cuddle bug. I use him as a heating pad as needed. But boy he is naughty. Once in a while he gets inspired to just RUN AWAY. Tsk tsk, dog. He lives up to his name, I suppose.

He and Lady have gotten close. I have noticed that they cuddle together a lot now, and really enjoy being together. 

I hope for many years of adventures to come.

A new chapter

I don't like negativity, because I think it can so easily snowball. That's why I half hate the fact that I keep poo-pooing 2013. Bad things happened. But what a shame to brush off the good things that happened. My nephew went from an infant to the most delightful and slightly monstrous child. I found out a new nephew is on the way. I added a naughty but sweet pup to our little wolf pack. I started a new and challenging job. I moved to a farm. :)

But I think it does help us to compartmentalize and think of chapters of life in hyperbole. Mostly because it reminds us and gives us hope that the difficult times will end. That the road will turn and the tides will shift. And those symbols are important for our psyche and for us to move forward.

This afternoon I sage smudged the house. Do I believe that the smoke from the herb literally purified the house? No. But I needed a visual, tangible ritual to mark the occasion of this new year. I walked through my house and prayed over every room and the facets of my life that they signify. And it felt right.

Life today isn't that much different than life yesterday. But I'm thinking of it as a new chapter to the novel of my life. The story picks up from where it left off on the page before, but it feels new and marks a difference.

And you know what I realized as I reflected today? The events I have viewed as failures over the past 12 months have also marked times that I took a chance. As of today I will strive to look back not at failures but as times I tried.

Here's to 2014 and the chance to renew ourselves day to day.