Being wrong

It was only in the past few years where I learned to how to suck it up & accept responsibility for being wrong.  I'm certainly not perfect and in those moments of blemishes and imperfections, the best thing you can do is just apologize & move on.  

B partied too much last night.


So, for years,  I've told folks that B is a pit bull mix.  Mostly pit bull.  My bully girl.  She's a pittie.  A pit.  Yes, she is undoubtedly a pit bull.

Then, I did the DNA test.  Annnd-- I know those aren't perfect either.  But it surely was a hoot!  And while, I know B has pit bull somewhere down her lineage....I've discovered that the pit bull gene wasn't a dominant breed in her.

Bella turned out to be a Bulldog, Labrador, & Boxer mix.  

Ohhhhhh..... it makes so much sense now.  Her Bulldog stubborness, her long Lab snout, and the height of a boxer.  The energy of all 3 of those breeds.

That's my girl!!!

on the up and up

maybe the road to the "up and up" started when i took b to another local dog beach:

the beach was clean and the weather was perfect.  it solidified the reasons to why we moved in the first place.

or maybe it was the group training classes that we also started (we've attended two thus far!).  its been such a rewarding experience and i see the value of training your dog alone vs. training your dog with distractions, especially other dogs!

and maybe... it was the awesome job i just landed at a local hospital.  i finally get to take a deep breath and not worry about how i'll pay for bella's expensive dog food!  what a relief.  the absolute best part of the job is that in addition to human health insurance, it offers pet insurance!  i've never heard of such a thing.  what a great benefit!

we finally get rewarded for being patient.  and i am so grateful!!!

we made it

we made it to our final destination.  all the planning and attention to detail have finally paid off.  here is b enjoying herself at one of our new favorite dog beaches:

                                        here is b standing tall and proud in her new harness:

while we're not exactly quite on our own yet... we are a step closer.  i see the difference in b.. which i know may be ultimately be reflected in myself.  b is more relaxed, calm, and stress-free.  she gets her own backyard where we're staying now.  its a dream come true.

                                                           welcome home!!!

Impermanence

B will turn 4 this November.  As I pack my stuff up for our new adventure, I think about the idea of things changing just like little B growing up....

The first day we met B.

B about 2 months old.

Things are always changing.  Things I cherish of the past may not be present for me today or ever.   I have to accept that or it will hurt like hell.

So my soon-to-be ex-yoga teacher mentioned the idea of "impermanence" and how nothing is supposed to last forever cause shit always changes.  The three tenets that she mentioned are as follows:

1.  Everything changes.

2.  It will hurt if you hold on.

3.  Its not personal.

Like, duh.  Okay, I get it.  But man... why is it always so hard???  Courage-- where are you when I freaking need you???

I guess that what pit bulls are for.  To drag you out of your hell and remind you that its really not that bad.  Let's just walk, eat, and cuddle and it will be a very, very good day.  

Sun Worshipping

is B & I's favorite thing.  this is why we love spring & summer:

B in her finest form.

and this is why we're so stoked that we're moving to sunnier pastures next month.  next month.  i have to let it echo in my head to make it real.  after nearly 12 years of staying somewhere so far away from home... its just so unreal to believe that family will be a biscuit throw away.   sun basking is definitely on our check list this summer!

A kid gets it right

Decide what you want to do.

Even a young kid knows the wisdom in this statement.  So, why is it so damn hard?

Sometimes.... "You gotta give up something you want for something you want more".  

Murphy's law, number um-teen-something.  I've saved this quote in the backfiles of my mind for more years than I can count... and its always, undoubtedly, true.  

Decide what you want to do.  And stick with it.  Don't apologize, explain, or rationalize.  The biggest risks come with the biggest reward.  

the truth

its been a hectic year and i had to take b along for the ride.  she was a good sport.

B the yoga dog

in a couple of a months, we'll be off to our new adventure and i've never been so sure of anything in my life.  or scared.  or anxious.  all of it, all rolled into one.

i will say that in the past year, there have been a few things that have pulled me through tough times.

1.  old re-runs of "how i met your mother".

2.  yoga

3.  B the crazy pit bull

i swear... we're a match made in heaven.  she is the ying to my yang.  my everything.  love ya, kid!!

B's 3rd birthday was this past November.  Here is a pic of us celebrating!!!

I can't believe she'll be 4 this year.  I hope to have her around for at least another 10 years.  We're in for some big changes this year and I can't wait to start a new life with her.