I’ve got the joy…
There was this moment today, when I realized I just…feel…happy. Content, happy, and balanced for the first time in a long time.
I blame a lot of it on this little dog named Toby. Bringing a 5 month old puppy who knows nothing of civilized life has caused me to change my lifestyle in a pretty significant way. No longer can I spend endless hours at my computer working and wasting my life away. He requires a lot of exercise, time, and of course, my undivided attention. I don’t even feel like I’ve taken enough photos of him, because when I’m with him, I love just being completely present, engaging his young mind and body in games and snuggles.
It’s hard to believe he’s only been with us for two weeks today. He’s already physically bigger than he was when we brought him home, and he’s calmed down considerably.
I’ve been taking him in two walks a day, whenever possible, which is two walks a day more exercise than I was getting before. I am also playing games of fetch, and hide and seek and just generally being more physical. I have lost enough weight to be back in what I consider my “normal” sized jeans! (I must also disclose I am doing a gentle, 30 day colon cleanse thing too that is contributing to my shrinking waistline.) I believe all this physical activity is a major contributor to my feelings of joy and happiness.
I have taken Toby to agility classes the past two Saturdays and he really enjoys it and is very good at it. I will likely continue with these until next summer, and then whenever I have time. I’ve also taken him to obedience class (he was pretty awful at that, but will get better) and out to the barn where I board Maggie Sue, where he got to play with 2 german shepherds and 2 labradors.
I’m definitely Toby’s favorite human, and we have developed a very strong bond already. Tracy has been gone a lot lately working out of town, but he and Toby are starting to make their own special bond. Tracy loves to play games with Toby and give him scratches. 
I’m grateful for all of life’s seasons, but this one feels especially sweet to me today.
