The Next Chapter

 Happy New Year.  

When I was younger I used to make new year's resolutions.  Occasionally I actually stuck with them, usually they were forgotten in days or weeks. For many years now I haven't even thought about them but this year I have made one resolution and I'm sticking with it. I resolve to get back into blogging. And here I am!

I started this blog originally as a form of journaling. I posted mainly about my dogs. I enjoyed blogging. I learned a lot, I met a lot of people with similar interests and we became a community. I also made some wonderful friends who I miss a lot.

I stopped blogging after my illness. I had too much to do trying to put my life back together to think about anything else. Also my Water Dogs were all gone and I didn't know what I  could post about.  Now almost three years after being so sick I am doing well and feeling well. So I think it's time to get back to my journal and catch it up to date on what's happening in my life. It will have a different flavor as things have changed around here.

I have no Porties anymore which makes me tremendously sad. I miss the breed and the unique challenges they presented. I do, however, have four naughty dogs and my first post should introduce them.

First is Sydney.

Yes, Sid is one of the puppy girls from before. She and Mackey, her sister, recently turned 13 and we celebrated with mini cupcakes, with sprinkles of course.  Fudge said it wasn't a party without sprinkles. Syd is showing her age. She has a lot of lumps and bumps but at a recent vet visit Dr B assured me that they're all the fatty kind and not a concern. She has also lost most of her hearing but doesn't care. She loves to run outside in the morning, stand on the rocks and bark at the world till her breakfast is ready. After breakfast she sleeps most of the day.

Next is Mackey. 

Mackey is Syd's litter mate but they have very different personalities. Mac is definitely Rob's dog. She's never more than a few feet away from him, unless food is involved. She's a real chow hound. Mackey enjoys shredding dog toys and teasing Thistle. They're actually good pals but she likes to get him in trouble and he falls for it every time.

Next is Boston.

Boston just turned three. When I got sick he was a little pup only four months old. We were working on training and he was doing well. But then we were separated for about five months and he grew big (75 pounds) and got out of control. Rob had all he could handle taking care of the house and the pets and spending time with me at the hospital. When I finally got home I couldn't do much and Boston was on his own. Now we're working hard to learn obedience and how to be a good boy. He's super smart and is learning quickly but still likes to steal anything that is within reach. And boy, he has a long reach! But we'll get there.

Finally there is Thistle. 

Thistle will be three in February. Thistle's mom is a Collie and dad is a Poodle. Thistle weighs 70 pounds and as you can see is a big boy. But he's a  sweet dog who is very attuned to my emotions and my voice. He reacts strongly and is easily hurt by harsh words. I tell Thistle what a good boy he is many times each day. He follows me everywhere and cries if he can't be with me. He howls when I leave the house without him. He sleeps beside me each night and wakes me with his wet nose and a whimper. He's an absolute love.

So we're back and over the next few day I'll catch you up on what' s been going on here. I will also change the header soon so don't be surprised.