My Blogaversary

I was late again.  This isn't a new thing to me.  I admit that I'm usually late to arrive places.  I send belated birthday cards quite frequently, and I hit the snooze button far too often.  This time, I was late in announcing my 1 year anniversary of Arwen's Pack!!

Yup - one year old and I'm still addicted to chattering online about dogs at anybody who will listen.  I never dreamed that anyone would actually want to read my ramblings, and at the outset, I wondered whether I'd get any followers at all!  It still blows my mind that there are people out there who have stuck it out with Arwen, Nyxie and me.  I am humbled.

The thing I didn't count on with Arwen's Pack, is the very real connections I've made with others in the blogging community.  This is an understanding, passionate bunch that I'm proud to have become a part of.  It's comforting to know that there are real dog lovers out there - people who have imperfect dogs, people who get excited when their dog's diarrhea lands on the tile and not the carpet, and who celebrate when their dog doesn't terrify or jump on their neighbors.  People who dress up their dogs at Halloween, and yes, even those people who celebrate Gotcha and Birthdays with home baked doggie cookies.

I also never anticipated the rush of emotions I feel at your moments of joy and sadness - the torment of losing a pup, or the joy of a new pack member.  And of course, the rescue stories!  I've read countless posts of people that are worried sick for their pups who are ill or injured, and my hands become sweaty, my heart sick.  Although I've never sat with a single one of you face to face, that connection is real.

I am in love with my dogs.  They're such a source of joy, peace, and occasional insanity for me, that I know I'm a lucky woman.  I'm lucky to have them and to have you in my life.  Thank you for being a part of Arwen's Pack.

Now raise your pints to a new year and many more wonderful doggie days ahead!
Cheers!