Well, sad to say it's been over a year since I've updated this page. It's amazing how time flies by and we lose site of our goals and ambitions. I told myself at the end of 2011 that I was going to make a concerted effort to write and keep this updated. That didn't work out too well, so we'll just skip 2012 and start afresh with 2013. I promise (myself) I will focus on rambling more this year. But not before telling the story of Boomer (which most of you know already anyway).
I started last year year off great, work was slow, I was volunteering at the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell, was dealing with some random hyper thyroid issues (due to a viral infection, who knew?) and started to take a stained glass class at Spruill Arts Center. I could stay out late, sleep as late as I wanted, take day trips and be away for more than 8 hours. That was all B.B (Before Boomer).
In April, I was doing my normal volunteer shift when one of the AHS workers placed a cute little bear cub puppy in my arms and asked me to walk him. He was supposed to be putting on a show for a family that wanted to adopt him but he was scared to the point where he was frozen. I took this little guy in my arms, he stiffened up and put his head against my face and his heart was beating out of his chest. He was scared. And rightfully so, the world can be a very scary place.
I took "Cory" outside and put him on the grass, and started to pet him and tell him it was okay (as if he understood). After a few minutes he started to sniff around and I swear he looked at me and smiled. We spent the next 20 minutes walking around outside, he followed me everywhere, his tail finally wagging and his long body swaggering. He reminded me of a little Mocha Bear, our second family Rottweiller growing up. I brought him back inside and pulled him into my lap and he cuddled up against me. I remember someone randomly coming by and saying "that's your dog" even though I was in my red volunteer shirt and clearly not there to adopt. Hmm...did he know something I didn't? I reluctantly put Cory back in his pen, he looked at my with his puppy dog eyes and I told him I'd be back.
I couldn't sleep a wink that night. I kept thinking about Cory and how he had such a great personality, and could make me quite happy. I called my parents and told them that after 10 years of saying I wanted a dog, that I was about to go get one. A 4 month old supposedly Shepherd Lab Mix (we think he's a Rottie/Shepherd/Lab/Beagle now). I had no idea how I was going to handle travel for work, house training, and I knew that soon my favorite pair of shoes was going to be eaten. I didn't care, I drove over to AHS and had the paperwork ready to go the minute they opened. Here is Cory (AKA Boomer) in a laundry basket on the car ride home...
Fast forward to A.B (After Boomer)...an extra 40 lbs later (he's up to 60!), minus 2 pairs of flip flops, a pair of boots and nice dress shoes, 4-5 tshirts and too many socks I can't count. I can't even remember what it was like to sleep in, as Boomer likes to jump on the bed at 7 am every morning (when my neighbor leaves to take the kids to school!). And if you have never heard a dog whine and talk, then come on over as his quite vocal! As I tell everyone, Boomer rescued me and I'm so glad I made that decision last April to give him his forever home.
If you haven't had a chance to go visit the AHS Mansell facility, you must! It is a beautiful building, with lots of happy dogs and cats that are cared for by such wonderful staff and volunteers. They run an amazing operation and I regretfully haven't been in to volunteer as much as I'd like. Along with this blog, that too will change this year!
I'll spare you the stories of the dog park visits, swimming in the lake, the river, and the LI Sound in 20 degree weather. The two trips to NY to play with his Uncle Milo and cousins Mia, Sofia, Caleb and Abigail, and the day he ate an entire package of dried apricots and shredded coconut. I'm sure he'll be the topic of many a stories this year, we will just have to see! Here he is yesterday showing off his Nylabone collection.
So...time to get the year going and add to the list of new adventures. I leave Sunday for a week of work in Lima, Peru, ending with a 3 day quick trip to Machu Picchu! And don't worry, Boomer won't be in the kennel, his grandparents are coming to visit with Uncle Milo to take care of him for the week. Such a spoiled doggie.
My next update will be from below the Equator.... :-)
I started last year year off great, work was slow, I was volunteering at the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell, was dealing with some random hyper thyroid issues (due to a viral infection, who knew?) and started to take a stained glass class at Spruill Arts Center. I could stay out late, sleep as late as I wanted, take day trips and be away for more than 8 hours. That was all B.B (Before Boomer).
In April, I was doing my normal volunteer shift when one of the AHS workers placed a cute little bear cub puppy in my arms and asked me to walk him. He was supposed to be putting on a show for a family that wanted to adopt him but he was scared to the point where he was frozen. I took this little guy in my arms, he stiffened up and put his head against my face and his heart was beating out of his chest. He was scared. And rightfully so, the world can be a very scary place.
I took "Cory" outside and put him on the grass, and started to pet him and tell him it was okay (as if he understood). After a few minutes he started to sniff around and I swear he looked at me and smiled. We spent the next 20 minutes walking around outside, he followed me everywhere, his tail finally wagging and his long body swaggering. He reminded me of a little Mocha Bear, our second family Rottweiller growing up. I brought him back inside and pulled him into my lap and he cuddled up against me. I remember someone randomly coming by and saying "that's your dog" even though I was in my red volunteer shirt and clearly not there to adopt. Hmm...did he know something I didn't? I reluctantly put Cory back in his pen, he looked at my with his puppy dog eyes and I told him I'd be back.
I couldn't sleep a wink that night. I kept thinking about Cory and how he had such a great personality, and could make me quite happy. I called my parents and told them that after 10 years of saying I wanted a dog, that I was about to go get one. A 4 month old supposedly Shepherd Lab Mix (we think he's a Rottie/Shepherd/Lab/Beagle now). I had no idea how I was going to handle travel for work, house training, and I knew that soon my favorite pair of shoes was going to be eaten. I didn't care, I drove over to AHS and had the paperwork ready to go the minute they opened. Here is Cory (AKA Boomer) in a laundry basket on the car ride home...
Fast forward to A.B (After Boomer)...an extra 40 lbs later (he's up to 60!), minus 2 pairs of flip flops, a pair of boots and nice dress shoes, 4-5 tshirts and too many socks I can't count. I can't even remember what it was like to sleep in, as Boomer likes to jump on the bed at 7 am every morning (when my neighbor leaves to take the kids to school!). And if you have never heard a dog whine and talk, then come on over as his quite vocal! As I tell everyone, Boomer rescued me and I'm so glad I made that decision last April to give him his forever home.
If you haven't had a chance to go visit the AHS Mansell facility, you must! It is a beautiful building, with lots of happy dogs and cats that are cared for by such wonderful staff and volunteers. They run an amazing operation and I regretfully haven't been in to volunteer as much as I'd like. Along with this blog, that too will change this year!
I'll spare you the stories of the dog park visits, swimming in the lake, the river, and the LI Sound in 20 degree weather. The two trips to NY to play with his Uncle Milo and cousins Mia, Sofia, Caleb and Abigail, and the day he ate an entire package of dried apricots and shredded coconut. I'm sure he'll be the topic of many a stories this year, we will just have to see! Here he is yesterday showing off his Nylabone collection.
So...time to get the year going and add to the list of new adventures. I leave Sunday for a week of work in Lima, Peru, ending with a 3 day quick trip to Machu Picchu! And don't worry, Boomer won't be in the kennel, his grandparents are coming to visit with Uncle Milo to take care of him for the week. Such a spoiled doggie.
My next update will be from below the Equator.... :-)
