A New Leash on Life

As time progresses Lady and I are doing great! I totally dote upon her as if she is my child. We have so much fun together and she is so loving and sweet.
People had often asked me if I was lonely and I would always be quick to respond no I’m not lonely, just because you are not married does not automatically make you lonely. I was able to do things the way I wanted to, when or if I wanted to do them. I could stay out as long as I wanted to,

get up and go when I wanted and I didn’t have anyone to answer to except myself. I thought I was living the perfect life!
One thing that I have learned for myself is that when you feel like you have everything that you need and when you don’t have to depend on anyone or answer to anyone you become shut off from people and become self centered, and not willing to allow people into your space.
Having Lady join my family was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. She has allowed me to love someone other than myself therefore allowing love back into my heart. She has shown me how to love unconditionally and she’s given me unconditional love. She has given me the opportunity to give to someone and release the selfishness out of my life and has rearranged my thinking and my outlook on things.
I get so tickled watching her get into mischief, or snoop around and get into things that she should not be into hence the photos (laundry day and somehow she found a pair of my underwear and wiggled her way into them). I thought I would die laughing, I could not believe it!! Our car rides are great, even the day that we went to Petco- the place where pet’s go and before I could fully pull into the parking space that girl jumps out the car window and heads toward the building. OMG, I was shocked, scared, and a little amused if I do say so myself. People were looking at me like I threw her out the window, or like I was a bad mama. I learned that day that Lady could read-ha, ha. We took another car ride one day to 7-11 and I was supposed to be the only one getting out of the car and as soon as the door opened out she went. I chased her through the parking lot (I was so embarrassed) as she weaved through the crowd at the Red Box. Our walks in the evening a pretty special too, as she takes off like slay dogs running with all her might. All I have to say is “do you want to go for a walk”? Her whole facial expression changes and she runs for her leash. She is so smart and so funny. Lady is the best “little girl” that one could have.
I know without a doubt that Lady joining the Taylor house was heaven sent. She defiantly had a long haul getting to me, but nevertheless I am truly the better for it. I think about one of my co-workers telling me that since I have had Lady I am much happier and more pleasant to be around. Hmmm, I wonder what she means by that :o)

A Moment of "Paws"

Lady and I arrive at home and I didn't know what to do next.  It was after 8:00pm and we both just sat there looking at each other.  Lady was my first dog as an adult and I have to admit this was a little foreign to me.  As I sat on the bed, she looking at me and me looking at her, I thought we should get acquainted with each other.  I scooped her up and talked to her as I cuddled her.  I was amazed at how smart and how well behaved she was. 

A little later in our getting to know each other time, I noticed an odd odor coming from Lady.  Can I just say it wasn't a slight odor either!!  I thought what in the world is this smell.  Is this a dog smell, do they all smell like this?  I tried to ignore it as I went about doing things and going through her bag of goodies that Rose had sent with her.  Yet I could not escape the odor.  I called Rose and asked her what in the world, Lady smells.  Rose chuckled and said she does?  I asked her when was Lady's last bath?  Well Rose had bathed her earlier during the week.  I thought to myself what could it be, hmm THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK.  I am not going to be able to deal with this dog smell in the house 24/7.

Looking back to that time I laugh to and at myself.  Rose had told me that she would be out of town visiting her husband.  I thought to myself if this smell doesn’t go away Rose is going to find Lady tied to her doorknob when she comes back home-LOL.  Boy I was truly a clueless pet owner back in those days.

Needless to say I asked some friends and looked up some information on the internet and found out my little Lady had an ear infection.  As a matter of fact I learned that Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections. It's because their ears hang down and not a lot of air can circulate.  Which means bacteria can form creating a breeding ground for yeast and germs to set up.  Once I lifted up her ear and took a whiff I knew that this was the case.  That Monday I took my sweet girl to the vet we received ear drops and ear cleaner and she was good to go.   All was well at the Taylor home once again.

In the Beginning

Two years ago in the spring of 2009 on a Friday before Spring Break who knew that my life would change for the better and become so much richer and more fulfilled than I ever could of imagined?  The day started off like any other Friday.  I was at work when my co-worker, Rose came to me and asked if I wanted her dog?  Rose made the offer because her husband was stationed in another state and she and her family were constantly on the road traveling back and forth.   Rose and her family loved Lady but it was too difficult for them to be on the road constantly and take care of a pet.  At the time I lived alone and I had considered getting a pet on a few occasions but it just didn't pan out.  When Rose made the offer I jumped at it.  I had already met Lady, a beautiful Cocker Spaniel once before when I visited Rose and her family and I adored her from the start.  As you can imagine the time ticked away much too slowly as I waited to pick her up that evening.  For the remainder of the day I was on cloud nine.  Later that evening I set out to go pick Lady up.  The closer I got to Rose's house the more butterflies I had in my stomach.  Was this really the right thing to do....for me?  Was this just another spontaneous decision that I was making?  When I arrived at Rose's home and I saw Lady all my doubts and fears were laid to rest.  Her sweet little face was as I remembered.  Rose had packed all her belongings and gave us a big send off and away we went...me and my new edition.