animal lover

after posting my last portland thing, i realized that i am kinda obsessed with my dogs.  i am afraid that i may have come off as that crazy, middle-aged animal lady who lives across the street with her army of animals.  maybe i am destined to be that woman; only time can tell.

fiona waiting for a car ride

 xerxes playing with kate

i have learned so so much from the animals in my life.  the fact is, i'll probably never be able to get all of xerxes' hair out of my car.  but the joy he gives me from his smiles, walks, snuggles, etc. completely replaces that.  i have so much joy brought into my life by this little guy- i don't mind the never ending paw prints on the hardwood floor.

my family got our first golden retriever, applejack, one month after my third birthday.  i still remember seeing that ball of fluff for the first time.  when applejack passed away ten years later, i was heartbroken - i had lost my best friend and utmost loyal companion.  but i can only think that the grief i suffered and survived with the loss of applejack provided me with the tools necessary to survive the deaths of close family members in the upcoming months. 

a few months later we got fiona, our lab-pitt mix.  i used to sit on the patio with her mornings before school and snuggle to help calm her down.  consequently, our 70 lb. girl still thinks she is a lap dog; every time i sit on the ground she heads straight for my lap!  now she is 7 years old with arthritic hips and gray hairs.

and now i have a dog of my very own, the xerx.  this handsome young man helped me re-learn that although i am in college, an extremely selfish time of life, the world does not revolve around me.  he's helped me slow down and relax, and just enjoy being outdoors on our many walks and hikes.  with the xerxes i go to bed earlier, rise earlier, spend more time exercising outdoors... all pretty healthy things!  i've also learned to ask for help from others (babysitting the xerx) for sometimes it's necessary!

overall, as long as i have pets in my life, my house will never be perfectly clean.  i will probably have some mangled shoes and clothes.  the yard will be laden with poop traps.  but the joy that animals have provided me with in my life, as well as the lessons they have taught me, are worth the 'sacrifice'.