Reconnecting part 1

Holy cow.
It's been over 3 months since I last posted!
Do you still remember us?

I'm happy to tell you nothing horrible has happened.  We've been humming along quietly, steadily and without catastrophic incident for the past 3 months.  Phew!  With that said, we have been insanely busy, so this will be a 3 part post:  

Our little online recycled bottle-crafting shop, Conversation Glass, has been growing and we've been working our little fingers to the bone.  My full time job has been understaffed lately and work has continued busy there, although I'm on vacation right now (1 more day left).  Our 14 year old daughter has been sharing her 9th grade growing pains with more fervor than a Tea Party conservative.  While nothing catastrophic has happened, we haven't had many spare seconds.  All except for the dogs, who are constantly snoopervising.

Notice Arwen ignoring the overflowing toy box and trying instead to fit into her brother's tiny bed.

So what have we been up to?

In September, T started at special math/engineering high school that she actually loves.  Yes, folks - our kid loves her school.  If you've been paying attention, this is a first for her.  She's also started JROTC and loves this, too.
**climbs back into chair after passing out**
I can't even type this without being in shock.  We've had some ups and downs, and have learned that 9th grade sucks.  Again.

T actually DOES have a face, but she is under covert assignment at present.

Stay tuned for Part 2

P.S.  Congrats to President Obama - now let's get to work!

The Rhythm of the Ocean

On Mondays I work in the afternoons, so I get to sleep in.  Matt is working from home now so he scooted T off to school and let the dogs sleep in with me.  I opened my eyes to realize I had all 3 dogs curled around me on the bed.  The room was dark, and I could feel their proximity and feel their chests rise in rhythmic waves.  I thought of the ocean and how driven we are to it.  For so many reasons we're driven to the ocean, but that ebb and flow of the water is the enormous breathing of some great big being; the breathing of our great planet.  The tie that beckons and binds is that interconnectedness.    

I didn't want to let the world in on this moment. I was caught in that cloud of sleep that fogs the break of day.  I wanted to close my eyes and resume my own breathing, another rhythm to join the three.  I reached out and found fur which wriggled under my palm, but fell again into that rhythm in seconds.   I wanted to close my eyes with the tightness of sleep, and forget all the preoccupations and responsibilities of the day and the week beyond.  I tried to fool my body back into sleeping.  I tried to snuggle in deeper to the warm press of Fenway's tiny body.  I tried to relax my palm on Nyxie's soft fur, but stroked it instead.  

It was no use.  My brain was awake, the fog was lifting, my eyes were focusing and the rhythm of my own breathing was just a hair faster than the three beside me.  I stretched and pulled myself out of the ocean of sleep.  It's those moments of safety and rhythm and balance that feed the rest.  As I stretched, the dogs came alive beside me, each stretching and yawning and nuzzling one another as they do each morning.  Then the dance begins.  That dance of joy that celebrates that we've made it through the night together and now there will be feasting!  

"Hooray for a new day!"

I have so much to learn from the three...

All For One Clothing Company

All For One - "Making a difference in the lives of shelter dogs!" 

Check out this great company founded by Brandon Hopkins who's dedicated to helping dogs like his own rescued "Shilo". AND he lets me write for his newsletter! Arwen's story is the second one the "newsletter" tab.  We're in good company with Siku of The White Dog Army as the first story on that same page.   To subscribe. let me know!

We're Featured on Pet Blogs United!

Pam and Oskar run a fantastic blog, Pet Blogs United, where they feature a weekly pet blog to help spread friendship and offer support for our pet passion.  My blog is a slice of the goodness in my life.  With so much negativity and cruelty surrounding animals and the way people treat them, we need a safe haven.  A place to celebrate being caretakers and marvel at our special furry connections.

I've met incredibly kind and gifted people here, many of whom I'm pleased to call friends.  I feel honored to be featured and to actually have readers share this wild ride with me.  Arwen, Nyxie and I thank you.  It's good to be in Arwen's Pack with you!

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!