Happy Birthday Gus!

Dear Gus,

I never had a dog growing up, so I didn't know what it was like to love a furry little boy...until your dad convinced me to get you. You melt my heart every day with your zest for life and carefree attitude. You don't have a mean bone in your body, so we love watching you play with children and babies. You sniff around and you love to smell the air (especially riding in the boat or hanging out the car window, I love that!). You're fiercely independent, but you graciously give me clingy morning cuddles. You're a bit of a troublemaker at times, but you've taught me to lighten up and laugh more. You bring joy to our house and love to our hearts. Thank you for being the most amazing dog I could ever ask for. Happy 2nd birthday Gussy!

Cold city - Right life

Life fell into place when I moved to Manitoba.

The stars aligned.  The paths cleared.  The ducks found their row.

It certainly wasn't the easiest decision to turn my life completely upside down on it's head.  But I knew I had to do something. 

I had been living in Calgary for 8 years (and couldn't stand the traffic).  I had a good job on paper at one of the country's most famous employers (that I hated in real life).  I had an amazing condo downtown (with loud neighbors that stomped above me all night).  I passed the mountains every day in the distance (and rarely every actually went there).  I was single (but went on 147 bad dates).  I had amazing friends (still do, that's the one thing I won't complain about!).

So I sold the condo, quit the job, kissed my friends, packed up the U-haul and said goodbye to my life as I knew it.  And moved to the coldest, buggiest place on earth.

Fast forward 2.5 years...

I fell in love (with the same guy I fell in love with at 15 years old).  I bought an adorable vacation property just 3 minutes from the beach.  I bought a character-filled 100 year old house in one of my favourite Winnipeg neighborhoods.  I got a puppy who fills me with joy.  I got a job at an advertising agency that feels like the most perfect job I could have asked for.  I'm making amazing new friends.

My only regret?  Missing my ladies.  But I know they're always there.

Best decision I ever made.

What's the best decision you every made?

Written with love,
Lenore

Dog park people

I have encountered the tribe known as the dog park people.  This was our first time at Churchill Park in Riverview and it's a great place, with lots of rolling grass hills and a prime river view.  Hence, it's in Riverview.  Anyway, we came across another dog, which quickly turned into 2 then quickly turned into 22.  Not kidding, it was like I would imagine parents at the park all watching over their children and shouting words of encouragement and complimenting the other parent's children.  One dog parent brought a communal water bowl for everyone to share.  Gus hogged it, which was a little embarassing considering it was our first time with the 'group'.  I kept thinking 'GUS!  Don't bogart that water!'.  But everyone was very gracious about it.  It was a pretty dominant bunch and Gus was by far the smallest dog, but I was a proud mama as he got in there with the giant dogs and sniffed some butts of his own.  Everyone was tittering about who the new dog was, so we did lots of waving and 'he's ours'.  But he impressed, with his small but confident stature and mellow nature.  Yes, Gus made mama proud.  Guess we're dog park people now...

Written with love,
Lenore