It’s fitting that Mabel started her trial week with me on Earth Day. My sweet girl loves all things natural, eating poop, rolling in vomit, eating bees (thankfully, she’s not allergic), belly-flopping in mud puddles, laying in the dirt, zooming on ice, and squirming in freshly cut grass. I can’t believe it’s been almost a… View more
When we finally sit down at night, leaving a list of to-dos untouched because we’re just too exhausted, how often do we pick up our phones? Or think about cleaning one more crevice? Or, get up to make tomorrow morning easier by prepping a meal? Why don’t we make our precious, few down moments precisely that?… View more
“Just like the lotus, we too can rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness, and radiate into the world.” –Unknown Mabel and I left the car at our favorite park for our Wednesday morning walk. I’d read about flooding and seen photos of the aftermath of Columbus’ heavy rain. I was even in the… View more
Mabel and I started a Rally Class a few weeks ago, not to compete. I’m dreadfully disgraceful with precision work. However, Mabel thrived in manners class, so I wanted to continue building her confidence and practice being calm around other dogs in a controlled setting. Before class started, Mary Kate (the instructor) emailed us asking what… View more
Mabel was stretched out beside me, snoring, while I slowly stroked her side and enjoyed my coffee. I was feeling overwhelmingly grateful for Mabel’s morning sleepiness. I can knock out at least a couple hours of work before my funny, frisky girl is ready to romp, race, and roll through the day. Then, I felt the lump…. View more
I started Mabel’s home-alone training again a few weeks ago. I felt she was ready. We spent December making her room at home special while also allowing my sweet dog to adjust to Sasha’s lovely home for daycare instead of the large, rough, and rowdy play-all-day facility and keeping up with life in a busy… View more
I woke up Saturday morning to glittery snow on the ground and flakes fluttering from the sky. I never thought I’d be excited about 27°F, but when you have a reactive dog, you know it’s trickier to exercise them on the weekends and lovely weather days. So, Mabel and I headed to the quiet dog park,… View more
A few weeks ago, Mabel went to jump in the car, and I didn’t realize her leash was wrapped around my legs. My sweet girl tumbled backward onto the ground; she looked panicked but shook it off quickly and then jumped right into the backseat. For about five seconds, Mabel lifted her right leg. While Mabel seemed… View more
The day after Mabel came to stay with me for her trial week, I put her in the crate I borrowed from her foster mom with a treat-stuffed toy and went downstairs for a minute. The blood-curdling screams and violent thrashing that came out of my now-adopted sweet dog tore my soul to shreds. As I sat… View more
