Living with old dogs…it’s an adventure, to put it kindly. A rollercoaster, even. I’ve been sharing more of my old dog stories lately. It’s what my life is like these days. I’m thankful for Schooner because while he’s middle aged (4 is getting up there for some Great Danes), he’s still playful and agile. So my […]
A Decade Ago, This Happened
A decade ago, I left my super-secure, good paying, super benefit providing federal government job. The only real job I’d ever had in my adult life. I was a federal employee for over 18 years. I basically grew up in the government — I started working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) when […]
Tango Update: Cancer, Cancer
It’s been a little crazy around here the last few months with all the cancer talk. I’m getting tired of writing that, actually. Too much crazy, too much roller coaster. We need some boring around here. Some seriously boring boredom. Back in January, Tango had an ultrasound due to some abnormal blood results. (People, heed […]
Loving and Living with Old Dogs
These old dogs. It’s a roller coaster ride daily, this loving and living with old dogs. My life is getting a little closer to normal…for now. I feel like I have to add that qualifier because the whole thing could collapse at any moment. We had a rough month right after Tango’s unplanned splenectomy and […]
When Last We Met…
When last we met, Tango had urgent surgery to remove his spleen and an unwelcome growth on said spleen. Since then, we’ve had very few “up” days and a whole lotta “down” days, including a panicked trip (a week ago now!) to my regular vet and a trip later that same evening to the emergency […]
Personal Life. Business Life. It All Blends Together Sometimes.
Personal life. Business life. It all blends together sometimes. Most readers of the Smart Dog U blog know that I own Smart Dog University, a one-woman dog training business. Like most micro business owners, I do it all: accounting, marketing, admin, teaching, email, blogging, training, well, you get the picture. In addition to the business, […]
Lily’s Milestone: 15th Birthday
Lily’s Milestone 15th Birthday A long time ago, I made this sweet thing promise she’d give me 15 years. Earlier this week, she made good on that promise. The sweetest girl turned 15 on Sunday/Monday. (The date is in question because I have it January 15 on one of my calendars, and January 16 on […]
Happy New Year and All That
Happy New Year and all that… It’s a new year, I guess talking about resolutions and things we’re going to change is what everyone does long about now. I’m feeling a little deflated with how 2016 ended, but I’m willing to play the happy new year game. A look-back Travel. I was a busy traveler […]
Catching Up on 2016
2016 has been a bust for me. Let’s spend a minute catching up on 2016. Lots of things didn’t happen. Too many things did happen. And I’m not at all happy with the outcomes of either. I’m a glass-half-full girl, though, so I’m optimistic about 2017. I have plans! I have aspirations! I have two senior […]
Sudden and Unexpected
Sudden and unexpected. Nemo died a week ago today. It was sudden and unexpected. I canceled classes last Tuesday. It was sudden and unexpected. Last Wednesday, we had Nemo cremated. It was sudden and unexpected. There’s no good way to lose a dog. Whether it’s sudden and unexpected or planned and scheduled. You’re still down […]