Life Lessons 101; Prof. Boomer and Moxie

Things that make me ridiculously happy-

My husband.

My dog. 

Chobani yogurt sales.

My dog.

I can't say I was ever really a dog person. In all honesty, the last family dog we had must have been dropped on her head one too many times and left her brain at the compost pile. We really didn't get along. That was probably the understatement of the century. In fact, I swore I would never, ever, ever get a dog after her and I was so upset with my family when they brought home another floor-pooper after her death. 

I really tried not to like Moxie, or Momo as I call her. That lasted all of a few hours. Momo and I spent three inseparable months together before I got married and moved far, far away. And then I began to miss her. To say it was lonely in my seven hundred square foot cell (as I call it) is also an understatement. Shortly after, I secretly began looking through the classifieds for a rat terrier of my own.

I found him of course- and now the little poop and I are inseparable.Though, I can honestly say that my desire to have children is lessened by having a furry baby. I can handle puppy poop, soiling many a sock in pee puddles, nom marks on my hands and the unlimited energy concentrated in a rat terrier puppy. But, at the end of the day, if I can't handle him anymore, straight to the kennel. I can't do that with a kid- that's child abuse.

So far though, the job of full time puppy mama has been an enriching and enlightening experience, full of life lessons, frustration and character building. Boomer and Momo have both taught me quite a bit about life like-

1. Messes are totally acceptable and part of the creative process. They make life more interesting and fun- especially if you are satisfied with the results at the end. Messes are simply organized chaos, allowing you a birds eye view of everything you have and giving you the opportunity to reorganize and prioritize.

2. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like to, but they make us a stronger and better person when they are done.

3. NEVER go through life without a cuddle buddy. Life is, and will always be, a buddy system.

4. Often, an event leaves us no choice but to take charge. Like ruling a country.

5. It's ok to let people spoil you. More often than not, it's out of love and not self interest.

6. Rest when you are tired. Anything can be made into a makeshift bed- including butts.

7. Smile, or laugh, at minimum one thing a day.

8. Vitamin D is essential- even though Washington has a paltry amount.

Of course, there are more. There will always be more. Life is about learning, even if learning means a spanking for peeing on the just washed couch cushion.