1. I am a very shy person. I know those of you who know me may have a hard time believing this, but it is true. When I meet a new person I really struggle with what to say and what they must be thinking of me. I get really nervous. I am sure it has a lot to do with my self-confidence, or lack thereof, but I have gotten good at faking it. Fake it till you make it, right?
2. I think Sophie is the best dog... Ever… In the world… Period!
3. I am scared of big dog and still consider myself a “dog person” mostly because I don’t care for cats. My mom hates it when I admit not liking cats! But it’s the truth. With that said, if I found a stray kitten or puppy I would (and almost have)bring it home without question. I am just that senseless! :)
4. I love the smell of Sophie tummy. It is one of the best! (Second only to the smell of a baby’s head.) Sounds odd I know. I just love it. I will say she NEVER gets dirty so don’t think I am too, too crazy.
5. I am OCD. I know, shocking right? Ha! I mean I really am. Like the doctor even said I am. Well, I am much better than I use to be. As a teen I took medication to keep it in check. I do still have my ticks, locks, folding laundry, my closet… but it could be worse. I also think I have made both of my dogs ODC. One I could say it was a fluke, both? I think it was my fault.
6. I hate, hate, hate when people are late. Drives me crazy. I am almost always early because I fear being late. I feel like if you are late you are saying your time is more important than mine. I know everyone has things happen but if it’s an ongoing thing it makes me mad.
7. I do not like the color yellow.
8. Thanks to my BFF Tiph I have two (out of 36) country stations programed into my car. I probably go little country once a week. Although I have gone through all 36 stations and not found a signal thing to listen to.
9. I weigh myself every day.
10. Thanks to my Grandma I learned how to sew, knit and crochet when I was five. No joke, 5!
11. I read multiple books at a time. I have 3 right now, one in the car for nap time at work or when I have to wait for an appointment or something and two next to my bed. I don’t know why I do this or why I ever started.
12. I am dyslexic. For the most part this does not affect me anymore, but elementary school was very hard for me.
13. The smell of Whole Foods makes me gag, but the smell of PCC doesn’t bother me much. It’s the meat section in Whole Food that stinks up the store. It just kills me.
So that about sums up a little of my craziness. Hopefully you will still talk to me after reading this. Lol!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ohhh, weekend!
Doggie boot camp went great this week. Yay! I was also informed that I am “excellent at running backwards.” Yes, we run backwards in class. :) Panda is picking up so much, so fast. I am so proud of my little man.
I made two big pots of soup, some to freeze and some put in small meal size containers for the week. I am kind of addicted to soup right now. Although I must say everyone around me has been enjoying it. (Even the kids at home and work. Lol!) I guess it is just getting to be that time of the year. I will be eating Black bean soup with chunky vegetables and Roasted bell pepper and tomato soup for the next few weeks. Yummy! Both are my own recipes that I have been working to perfect.
On top of that I got my house cleaned, laundry done, got a jump start on some Christmas gifts and even had time to watch a few movies. Ohhh weekend, how I love it when I can be productive!
I made two big pots of soup, some to freeze and some put in small meal size containers for the week. I am kind of addicted to soup right now. Although I must say everyone around me has been enjoying it. (Even the kids at home and work. Lol!) I guess it is just getting to be that time of the year. I will be eating Black bean soup with chunky vegetables and Roasted bell pepper and tomato soup for the next few weeks. Yummy! Both are my own recipes that I have been working to perfect.
On top of that I got my house cleaned, laundry done, got a jump start on some Christmas gifts and even had time to watch a few movies. Ohhh weekend, how I love it when I can be productive!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
His wounds run deep
Saturday was the second class at doggie boot camp for Panda and I. The first class went great. He is by far not the worst dog in class, my biggest fear, and we both are learned a TON!
Day two was a bit harder. We are now learning how to stand on command and stay in a stand – stay. (He mastered the sit – stay before we even left the first class!!!) Part of teaching stand is to get them to do it and then say “stand!” Like it was the dog’s idea. You rub the dog’s legs or tummy and the natural reaction for them is to stand up. Well Panda does not like his tummy or legs touched for the most part. When he first came home it was a big deal for him, now over time and a lot of work, we have gotten to the point that I can give him a good belly rub but only when the time is right for him. In class the time wasn’t right for him and he was having none of it! So I asked the trainer what to do if your dog will not let you touch his tummy? She came over to demonstrate. The second she very genially put her hand on his back he freaked out. He was crying, pulling, jumping and flailing all try to get away from her. She sat on the floor with him and me for a long time getting Panda (and I) to calm down. She asked me what had happened to him. I told her about his past. How he had been abused by his breeder as a puppy. She said “I knew he must have been abused by that reaction. His wounds must run deep.”
I was holding back tears. I know he still has a hard time sometimes… a lot of the time. He rarely trusts new people. He worries if he thinks I am mad or if he has done something naughty. He never likes to be away from me or in a place he doesn’t know. But to see him have such a hard time with someone that has made there whole life about helping dogs just kills me. It’s not fair that he had to go through such brutality at under 8 weeks old. It’s not fair that it still haunts him. Then my gilt kicks in. I feel like I haven’t done enough for him. Like if he still feels this strongly I haven’t helped him overcome what happened. Like I haven’t given him a good enough life. I know that’s just the emotions talking but it is so hard for me not to feel as if I have failed him in some way or another.
After a few minutes he was ready to move on with the class and she could tell (not show) me how to teach him better. At the end of class she came back over to us and told me that I should really think about going into the advanced class with him once this class is over. She made a big deal about the fact that she doesn’t push this on everyone, but she thought Panda would do great! I was a bit shocked. I mean was she talking about the same dog that was having a heart attack a short while ago? She said she could tell that Panda trusted me very much and that he was so willing to please me. More training would help strengthen our relationship even more and could help him move on. We will see how the rest of the beginner classes go before we move to advanced, but I do agree my baby would do great in anything he does! :)
The ride this little boy has had me on for the last year and a half is like nothing I ever knew existed. I don’t, however, regret it for a second. Panda has taught me so much about myself. He has shown compassion and strength when most would have given up. He has fought for me when most would have run and I for him! I haven’t given up on him… I will not give up on him! Yes, his wounds run deep but is love of life runs deeper. I am SO proud at how far he has come in his short life and can’t wait to see what happens in the next four weeks of boot camp!
Day two was a bit harder. We are now learning how to stand on command and stay in a stand – stay. (He mastered the sit – stay before we even left the first class!!!) Part of teaching stand is to get them to do it and then say “stand!” Like it was the dog’s idea. You rub the dog’s legs or tummy and the natural reaction for them is to stand up. Well Panda does not like his tummy or legs touched for the most part. When he first came home it was a big deal for him, now over time and a lot of work, we have gotten to the point that I can give him a good belly rub but only when the time is right for him. In class the time wasn’t right for him and he was having none of it! So I asked the trainer what to do if your dog will not let you touch his tummy? She came over to demonstrate. The second she very genially put her hand on his back he freaked out. He was crying, pulling, jumping and flailing all try to get away from her. She sat on the floor with him and me for a long time getting Panda (and I) to calm down. She asked me what had happened to him. I told her about his past. How he had been abused by his breeder as a puppy. She said “I knew he must have been abused by that reaction. His wounds must run deep.”
I was holding back tears. I know he still has a hard time sometimes… a lot of the time. He rarely trusts new people. He worries if he thinks I am mad or if he has done something naughty. He never likes to be away from me or in a place he doesn’t know. But to see him have such a hard time with someone that has made there whole life about helping dogs just kills me. It’s not fair that he had to go through such brutality at under 8 weeks old. It’s not fair that it still haunts him. Then my gilt kicks in. I feel like I haven’t done enough for him. Like if he still feels this strongly I haven’t helped him overcome what happened. Like I haven’t given him a good enough life. I know that’s just the emotions talking but it is so hard for me not to feel as if I have failed him in some way or another.
After a few minutes he was ready to move on with the class and she could tell (not show) me how to teach him better. At the end of class she came back over to us and told me that I should really think about going into the advanced class with him once this class is over. She made a big deal about the fact that she doesn’t push this on everyone, but she thought Panda would do great! I was a bit shocked. I mean was she talking about the same dog that was having a heart attack a short while ago? She said she could tell that Panda trusted me very much and that he was so willing to please me. More training would help strengthen our relationship even more and could help him move on. We will see how the rest of the beginner classes go before we move to advanced, but I do agree my baby would do great in anything he does! :)
The ride this little boy has had me on for the last year and a half is like nothing I ever knew existed. I don’t, however, regret it for a second. Panda has taught me so much about myself. He has shown compassion and strength when most would have given up. He has fought for me when most would have run and I for him! I haven’t given up on him… I will not give up on him! Yes, his wounds run deep but is love of life runs deeper. I am SO proud at how far he has come in his short life and can’t wait to see what happens in the next four weeks of boot camp!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Pickles with Raspberry Jam?
Ok, well we are not eating them together. (Although Sarah's kids did ask if we could have them together for dinner. Yuck!)
Today I made Raspberry Jam and my second batch of pickles. Sarah said the first batch (2 jars) would NOT be enough! :)
Today I made Raspberry Jam and my second batch of pickles. Sarah said the first batch (2 jars) would NOT be enough! :)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hiking!!!!
I have been doing a lot of hiking lately, I love it! It so nice to breathe the fresh air and get some great exercise all at the same time. I have gone on a few by myself and a few with other people. Here are some highlights.
Rattlesnake Lakes: This was a big deal for me. I had done this hike a while ago when I was still fat and could only get half way up. This time my babies and I made it to the top!
Rattlesnake Lakes: This was a big deal for me. I had done this hike a while ago when I was still fat and could only get half way up. This time my babies and I made it to the top!
Cougar Mountain Trail: Sarah and I set out to go to the Anti-Aircraft Flats but somehow ended up on this small path practically in people’s back yards. We will try again to find the right path another day. This was the crazy slug we found. Cougar Mountain Trail off 900: Good hike but the path was closed about a mile up for some race. Little Si Trail: This one was hard but rewording. I had a little cold and ended up having a huge asthma attack but I pushed through, it was beautiful. I managed to drop my camera TWICE on this hike and it hasn’t been the same since, but it still works.Cougar Mountain Trail off 900, 2nd time: This time we went a lot further. My favorite quote of the day was near the end of where we went Sarah said “It’s so nature-ish up here.” Hmm, really? We saw a sign at the beginning from a person saying they had heard a cougar a few days prior and although I thought it was a mean joke it worried Sarah and I the entire hike. We kept stopping or jumping because we though we heard / saw something. :)Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
My f____ing dog bit me!
He bit me!
Today I was taking Panda out to go potty and Luke (Pandas long time nemeses, and one of the dogs we share a house with) ran towards him. He reacted by going back at Luke. This has happened a few times in the past and three times since the move. I pulled back on Pandas leash to separate them and he charged right back at Luke. I had the leash though so instead of biting Luke he got me. It hurt more than I can tell you. I screamed SO loud. I grab Panda and pinned him to the floor, while screaming all sorts of things. (Oops!) Sarah came running, grabbed Luke had someone put him in his crate, grabbed Panda and put him in his crate.
I became a sobbing mess on the floor. Not only was I in A LOT of pain but I was in shock that my sweet baby could have done this to me. I pulled up my pant leg to see blood all over my leg right above my knee. Sarah looked in shock and said “Oh, Shit!” She got me all clean and bandaged up. I was a mess… I still am. I went to Dr. Mom’s house so she could look at it. She re-cleaned it and put some numbing cream on it. Luckily I didn’t need stiches or any shots but it was a close call.
I know that he didn’t intend to bite me and never would have under normal circumstances but that doesn’t chance the fact that he did it. Honestly, this is the second time he has bit me going after Luke but it was by far worse this time. There are so many what ifs that scare the hell out of me.
I called around when I got home and found a trainer that specializes in dog-dog aggression and anxiety. She gave me a lot of hope that he could be “fixed.” Classes start next Saturday, we will be the first ones there. Until then anytime Panda leaves the room he will be wearing a mussel.
My battle wound.I have been told it will look much worse tomorrow... Great!
Today I was taking Panda out to go potty and Luke (Pandas long time nemeses, and one of the dogs we share a house with) ran towards him. He reacted by going back at Luke. This has happened a few times in the past and three times since the move. I pulled back on Pandas leash to separate them and he charged right back at Luke. I had the leash though so instead of biting Luke he got me. It hurt more than I can tell you. I screamed SO loud. I grab Panda and pinned him to the floor, while screaming all sorts of things. (Oops!) Sarah came running, grabbed Luke had someone put him in his crate, grabbed Panda and put him in his crate.
I became a sobbing mess on the floor. Not only was I in A LOT of pain but I was in shock that my sweet baby could have done this to me. I pulled up my pant leg to see blood all over my leg right above my knee. Sarah looked in shock and said “Oh, Shit!” She got me all clean and bandaged up. I was a mess… I still am. I went to Dr. Mom’s house so she could look at it. She re-cleaned it and put some numbing cream on it. Luckily I didn’t need stiches or any shots but it was a close call.
I know that he didn’t intend to bite me and never would have under normal circumstances but that doesn’t chance the fact that he did it. Honestly, this is the second time he has bit me going after Luke but it was by far worse this time. There are so many what ifs that scare the hell out of me.
I called around when I got home and found a trainer that specializes in dog-dog aggression and anxiety. She gave me a lot of hope that he could be “fixed.” Classes start next Saturday, we will be the first ones there. Until then anytime Panda leaves the room he will be wearing a mussel.
My battle wound.I have been told it will look much worse tomorrow... Great!
Sunday snapshot:
This is what happens when Sarah and I get bored.
I got Sarah up...
She got me up...
Then I felt the need to put Luke up in the air!
Moved!
So I moved last weekend and let me tell you it was pure craziness! We ended up only getting 3 days to get packed and out. Luckily we had found a house and had been given the keys early so we had a place to go.
I now live in The Newport Hills near Factoria / Bellevue with all the same housemates.
Things I will miss…
• The memories (This was where I brought my puppies home to and where I watched Sarah bring 2 babies home.)
• The fact that I knew where all the good shops, stores and food were.
• My big space
• The wonderful people that live next door
• The fully fenced yard
• The path I mapped out for running
Things to look forward to…
• The memories to be made! (I so feel like this is a fresh start for me.)
• Finding all the new shops, stores and food!
• Half the commute
• My Scrapbooking room!!! (Ok well it’s really just a large closet but more than enough room for me)
• The amazing oven / stove
• The great backyard
• The huge hill to run… Hills do great things for your ass ;)
• The hiking just down the street
I will post more pics of the inside once I paint and get unpacked!
I now live in The Newport Hills near Factoria / Bellevue with all the same housemates.
Things I will miss…
• The memories (This was where I brought my puppies home to and where I watched Sarah bring 2 babies home.)
• The fact that I knew where all the good shops, stores and food were.
• My big space
• The wonderful people that live next door
• The fully fenced yard
• The path I mapped out for running
Things to look forward to…• The memories to be made! (I so feel like this is a fresh start for me.)
• Finding all the new shops, stores and food!
• Half the commute
• My Scrapbooking room!!! (Ok well it’s really just a large closet but more than enough room for me)
• The amazing oven / stove
• The great backyard
• The huge hill to run… Hills do great things for your ass ;)
• The hiking just down the street
I will post more pics of the inside once I paint and get unpacked!
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