Time Flies When You're Having Fun

It's hard to believe that another Spring break is over for me, but it is.  We packed a lot of fun into these past three weeks.  I got to do some things that I've wanted to do for a long time.  This break makes up a lot for last year when we had rain every day.  After a brutal winter here, we were finally able to get out and enjoy the nice weather this year.

No doubt there will be one sad little greyhound as I leave for work.  All three of the girls will be a bit sad, but Bunny always shows it the most.  Blueberry will watch me cautiously as I go through the usual morning routine.  Lilac will be asleep again.  Apparently getting up at oh dark thirty wears an old lady out.  As if it weren't hard enough to sleep around our house, our neighbors now have a Siberian puppy that they are trying to housebreak, right outside our bedroom window, at ungodly hours.  I never thought there'd be a dog with a worse schedule than our little old lady, but I think we've met her match.  Although honestly, the puppy isn't as bad as the neighbors.

Anyway, I digress.  In some ways, it will be nice to get back to my usual routine, but in others, it's tough.  Getting up early and getting ready for work isn't as much fun as getting up and reading blogs at my leisure.  We'll try to get around to read still, but you'll probably see us at different times.  I also can't promise that we'll have a post every day, but we'll try! 

The greatest thing about break is really just the small details of life that I get to slow down and enjoy.  Bunny comes back to bed with me for a while, or Blueberry stretches out on the couch in the morning so we can have our own alone time.  There are also the moments when Lilac comes over to stick her nose under my arm as I type on the computer to let me know that she's still here.  Being able to take a walk whenever we like is such a joy, or even a spontaneous trip to the dog park, or packing up and taking the girls for a hike somewhere that we normally don't get to go are all small luxuries of being on break. 

However, one truth is, if it were that way every day, I wouldn't savor it the way I do now.  It's like coins of gold slipping through my fingers now, not something that I'm able to take for granted.  I appreciate work because it gives us money and because it gives us these golden moments to cherish.  However, today, I'm really not loving my job!  Maybe on Friday afternoon...

Please Don't Go, We Love You So

Well, today I go back to work, rested after another break into the exciting world of PreKindergarten.  The morning is met by the usual look of dread from Bunny when she hears my alarm clock go off and sees me get out of bed and start getting ready to go out to work.  As I sit down to eat breakfast and catch up with a few things online, she sits beside me, curled up as tightly as she can make herself against my leg despite the fact that the couch is rather long. 

We usually have a lot more adventures than we did over this break, but the weather prevented us from going out much.  The truth is, she has a touch of cabin fever.  We all do.  I'm going to have to look pretty hard to find some things that we can get out and do in the next month or so, but it will be worth it.  The wonder that is Bunny shouldn't be kept pent up in the house when an adoring public awaits.  We had our little chat as I ate my yogurt that we usually have before I go back to work.

Bunny:  Are you sure you have to go?

Me:  Well, you like eating and toys and fancy collars, so I guess I do have to go.

Bunny:  I could go with you!

Me:  You have been to school with me before, that's true, but it would be all day.  I'm pretty sure it would cut into your nap schedule.

Bunny:   Not my nap schedule!  I need my beauty rest!

Me:  Trust me, you're not hurting in that department at all!  You'll be beautiful no matter what!

Bunny:  Still, it seems like a big risk!

Me:  Of course it is.  It's probably for the best if you stay home.  Perhaps you'd protect my pillow safe from Blueberry's butt today?

Bunny:  Of course I will!  As soon as you go, I'll get started.

Me:  That's what I thought!  I knew I could count on you!

Bunny:  But you're coming back, right?

Me:  As soon as I can get back home, puppy girl!

And so I'm off to start another session of school.  I am thankful to be going back to a job that I enjoy and that the teacher's strike didn't happen.  The best part of going back to school is still coming home to a warm greeting from some sweet hounds when I get back, though!

We'd also like to add a small note here, we wish KB and K the best of luck as they both recover from surgery together.  We hope you're back on the trails together soon!

It's Not Easy Being A Cute Little Puppy

It's not easy being a cute adorable, puppy. It means you begin to think that everything you want, you will get. Over the past five weeks, I have been at home on summer break. Bunny has been a very happy puppy thanks to that fact. However, all good things must come to an end. In order for the kibble, toys and fancy collars to keep coming in, I have to go back to work. Bunny is not thrilled about this. There is much sighing, soulful eye gazing, leaning against me and general moping. She is smart enough that she knows the routine about when I go back to work.



We have been constant companions over the past weeks, usually with Bunny leaning against my leg while the two of us veg out on the couch, her napping and me writing. I am so thankful for that part. When Treat passed away, I felt like I'd lost my muse in some ways. Bunny does an excellent job of providing inspiration and moral support.


Last school year was very difficult for me for several reasons. My teaching partner had breast cancer and had to be out of the room for half the year. The substitute teacher situation was a difficult one at first. We got a new sub, a wonderful lady, but it's still a large burden on one person's shoulders. I also had a particularly difficult child in class this year who will be returning for one more year. This coming school year brings a lot of anxiety for me as well as uncertainty. One thing is a constant, however. There is always a furry little counselor waiting at home to do her best to alleviate my stress, whether it's dancing around like a crazy little monkey, pressing her warm little body against me, or simply curling up beside me on the couch to gaze at me with adoration, she is always waiting with something.



So, it tugged at my heartstrings quite a bit when I came out of the shower in the morning to find that she decided she couldn't face the world. Apparently, it was just a little too much to bear on a Monday morning. I figured I'd try to have a little chat with her.

Me: Bunny, what are you doing under there?

Bunny: Woe is me!

Me: What seems to be the problem?

Bunny: You're leaving today -- I know it!

Me: Well, I do have to work so that we have money to feed you and keep you in the fashion to which you've become accustomed.

Bunny: Who will pet me all day?

Me: I'll be home to pet you before you know it. You'll be sleeping most of the time I'm gone anyway.

Bunny: It's still not the same...

Me: I know. If it makes you feel better, I'd rather be here at home with you.

Bunny: That's not helping.

Me: I'm sorry, puppy girl. The weekend will be here soon and we'll be together all day.

Bunny: Okay.

Me: Before you know it, fall break will be here and I'll be home again, too.

Bunny (a little more of her nose emerging from the blanket): Really? How soon?

Me: Only about ten weeks. It will be fall time, so we'll be able to go to the dog park all the time if it's not raining, as well as doing other fun stuff.

Bunny: You promise you're coming back though, right?

Me: Yes, I promise. I'll have a lot of time to pet you, then, too.

Bunny: Well, alright, I'll be here waiting!

We'll both be counting the days until the end of September! Hopefully, the time will go quickly. It's awfully nice to have some great dogs to come home to in the meantime.