coping with DST.

Daylight Savings Time: the bane of my existence. I like getting up when it's light outside, but to get out of work at 5pm when it's already dark really puts a damper on things. Like my outside playtime with Claire. And my social life, for that matter, which largely revolves around the dog park. What can I say? Most of my friends are dog people!

If your dog is a couch potato and is happy to sleep 23 out of 24 hours of the day, then you don't hate DST as much as I do. But for those of you who have active dogs, chances are that you are anxiously awaiting April - when DST ends.

I have to get creative this time of year. First off, we increase the number of days that Claire goes to daycare. Two times a week will suffice in the summer because we spend the off days at the park when I get out of work... but we bump it up to three times a week in the winter. My girl's gotta get some time in the sunshine, you know? For the two other work days, she chills at home and guards the house and catches up on sleep. But when I get home, energy abounds!!!!

Here's what's worked for us so far. On the days she doesn't go to daycare, we start the morning with a half mile walk. It's short and sweet because it is freezing outside - and we both hate ice cold weather - but it's just enough to wake me up and to give Claire time to do her business (she is easily distracted).

When I come home, we go for a mile walk and then hurry back inside to defrost ourselves. Then it's dinner time for both of us. After dinner, we either do 15 minutes of training (gotta keep our manners polished) or we play a rousing game of hide and seek. The only problem with this is that my house is tiny and Claire is rapidly figuring out that I can only hide in five places during the game. But hey, we make it work. After that, Claire gets a raw marrow bone which keeps her happy and busy for an hour or so. Then it's quiet time for both of us - reading or journaling for me, and tearing apart toys for her. Actually, it's just one toy, and I re-stuff it when she isn't looking. Don't tell.

Weekends, of course, are very different for us. I try to spend the majority of the weekends with Claire, whether we are by ourselves or hanging out with friends. I'm excited for this weekend, in particular, because it is the First Annual Friendsgiving in Nashville! We will be spending all of Sunday with our pals to celebrate the holiday early, since most of us will be with our families on the actual day of Thanksgiving. Stay tuned, y'all - pictures will be sure to come soon!