Skip to main content

Day 12: My First Pet

Me, age 3


In the Day 12 post for the Blogember challenge, I am writing about my first pet.

My first pet was a Lhasa Apso named Saratoga Gold Dust .. which we called Dusty.  She resembled a dust mop - low to the ground, lots of long hair and flopped down on the floor in a pile.

Having her as a pet taught me lots of interesting lessons .. unconditional love, new life through her two litters of puppies and ultimately about death and saying good-bye.

Our family didn't have a pet to show any of us kids about responsibility, it was more about how she fit into our family.  She really didn't live long - only about 6 years - and many other life-changing events happened during that time.  In a way it feels like my first pet was a blip on the radar.

Perhaps that's like most things over the course of a lifetime.  Unless you call them out as significant they may fall to the wayside.

As an adult I had several other pets - dogs, actually.  The two lab mix puppies George and Ogden who taught me about patience, the experience of caring for a sick animal and the warmth of their head on my lap when so much else was missing.

And many years later, Jack - the yellow lab mix joined our life - and exited quickly when our daughter arrived.  He didn't like competition and took to showing that very obviously.  And more than 7years later at 9 1/2 he lives with my brother very happily.

My first pet is still that blip on the radar.  But it marks a first.  And we all have to start somewhere, right?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#BeBrave

I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place this week.  It's taken me days to process what occurred, how I responded and how I'm choosing to move forward. In a professional environment, during an ordinary 3pm de-brief meeting I found myself being verbally attacked and disrespected by a bully.  I remained calm, spoke my mind carefully and respectfully.  It was surprising and over the next few days became increasingly unsettling. There were others in the room, and no one spoke to support me.  It has struck me as so odd, hurtful and profoundly unacceptable. Like any good drama episode written by Aaron Sorkin or JJ Abrams, let's rewind to 8 hours earlier. Once again browsing new selections in iTunes for my running mix.  I know, I get bored easily, huh?  I love how the music motivates me so I'm always on the lookout for new and upbeat songs.  I came across a feature for the new Sara Bareilles album streaming for free this weekend, so I b...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to get out of an EPIC funk!

This morning I woke to a funk.  Yes, mine.  Reasons to me were relatively clear.  Relationships in my life that are not working.  Lingering fear.  Dissatisfaction in my primary relationship.  To be honest seems like the same stuff that's been hanging on for the last six months. Today felt heavy.  Too heavy for a holiday. How do I push through it?  Cause it seems that I'm unable to go around it. Again. A holiday means every one is home with me.  So solitude is not really the answer.  But writing is. So how did I get out of an epic funk this morning.  I got honest with myself.  And I cried.  Cause feelings hurt.  And people disappoint.  Yet somehow, someway life moves on. I got honest with myself by writing about it.  Detailing what was troubling me into this place and what I saw as the way out.  I gave myself permission to be honest.  Even though it wasn't simple or fascinating.  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Be yourself

Sometimes things just hit me like out of the blue and I wonder why didn't I think of that sooner!?  And after the realization settles in I'm at such peace.  This has happened several times recently at work with all the lessons I've amassed over the last 8 months of a project that is coming to a close.  I honestly didn't realize that I learned so much, or that I was actually putting those lessons into action. I find that I evolve at an interesting rate.  Sometimes it feels as though nothing changes, and other times it's like I don't even remember how things used to be.  And all the while I've maintained that I just need to be myself.  Although I've changed over time through the lessons, the core of who I am remains the same. And that's a great feeling.  To not have to turn myself inside out to fit.  It not only allows me to be authentic, but feels so true deep inside.  I say what I mean, I mean what I say and I know how to say it as to...
Post a Comment
Read more