a love letter to claire.

Dear Claire,

It's been five years since I first went to the Nashville Humane Society and found you. Well, since you found me, really. You're the first friend I made in this city, and my life here (and in general) would be so different if we never met. Where did the past five years go?! We've been through a lot together during that time, both good times and bad. And while it's so wonderful to enjoy those good times together, I think it's even more of a blessing that you've been able to help me so much through the darker days. A stranger once told me that you're my guardian angel, and I have to say: I believe it!

My favorite memory over the past five years is from last summer when we were back home. We got up really early and went down to the beach before the lifeguards showed up. You'd never been to the ocean before and, at first, you were a little afraid of the waves. Soon enough, you were running as fast as you could up the dunes and then back down past me to jump into the water. I remember that there was a landscaping crew hanging out in the parking lot, having breakfast before starting their day, and they came over just to watch you. When you were done running in circles (showing off again!), you came over, covered in seaweed and sand, and jumped all over them. One of the guys said he'd never seen a happier dog.

Not a day goes by where I'm not laughing at something you've done. You are silly and mischievous and curious and just so smart! You love to show off for people - whether there's something in it for you or not. You love having your tummy rubbed and you get annoyed if there are people nearby who aren't doing so. You are the best squirrel/rabbit/cat hunter around, and I dread the day that you bring one back to me (so please don't). You love walking the neighborhood kids to school in the morning and saying hello to everyone on our typical route. Running is one of your favorite things to do, and I love watching you zoom by with your little baby ears flapping in the wind! Chase is still your favorite dog to have play-dates with, and I've honestly never seen two dogs love each other more. You sleep the best on Grandma Sue's Pier One blanket (that she so kindly parted with on your behalf), and you never go to bed without bringing Lambie and Moosie with you. You love coming with me to run errands on Saturday mornings, mainly because the people at the stores we go to always have a special treat for you. Fetching anything except the peanut butter jar is still beneath you, no matter how many different kinds of balls or frisbees I try to entice you with. You enjoy watching the Food Network, but you're not such a fan of Animal Planet. You hate when I'm on the phone and will go to great lengths to get me to stop using it - like the time you wedged your face between my ear and the phone over and over again until I hung up from my conversation. Whenever someone comes to our house, you always think you're the reason they're there, and you bring your toys to them immediately - but just to show them, not to play with them. And there is nothing that makes you more excited than when I come home from work!

Naturally, ClaireBear, I could go on and on. But the bottom line is: I love you more than anything! You are, by far, the biggest blessing in my life. I can't imagine spending my days without you, and I certainly don't want to! You are a huge part of our family, and even though you don't get to see your relatives very often, you can rest assured that they miss you and love you dearly. I know I say it a lot, but it's only because it's true: you are the MOST loved dog in the world!!

Happy Gotcha Day, little one!

these are my confessions.

My sister sent me a link to this yesterday - the signs that you treat your dog better than you treat yourself. If you haven't seen it yet, you MUST check it out because the pictures are awesome. Here's what I have to say about the whole thing:

1. You shiver half the night because you let them steal all the blankets. Truth. I also sleep curled up in a ball because she tends to sprawl out in the middle of the bed.
2. They have their own personal tablet to watch animal shows on. Um, no, that would be weird. She uses the TV in our bedroom so she can get comfy and relax. Also, Animal Planet has some shows that are not age-appropriate for Claire, so she tends to watch The Food Network.
3. More people show up to their birthday party than to yours.  Again, truth. People and dogs. The neighborhood pups aren't willing to come to mine...
4. You take your job super seriously but you never get mad when they slack off at theirs. Yes. I mean, how can you get mad at that sweet little face?!
5. You sing them lullabies to help them get to sleep... every night. Well, I sing along with the Spotify playlist that I made for her. She finds The Civil Wars very soothing.
6. You pay top dollar for their groomer but you haven't been to a hairdresser in ten years. She has short fur so she doesn't need a trim, but she does get "manicures" - and I haven't been to get my nails done in a really long time... Pretend you aren't looking the next time you see me.
7. You took the time to teach them to surf, but you can barely swim. Not true; I'm a Cape Cod girl, so I love the water! Though I did take up running because it's Claire's favorite thing to do.
8. You take the day off work to make sure they don’t overheat on the hottest day of the year. I have done this in the past. Thankfully I won't have to do this at the job I have now because I can work from home and personally make sure that Claire is comfortable with the temperature set on the AC control.
9. You spend your life savings on emergency surgery for them and would definitely do it again. A few things about this: (a) I'm a social worker, therefore I don't make enough to have savings, and (b) I'd cash out the ol' 401K if I needed to. But praise God that she hasn't needed emergency surgery because my heart would break for her!
10. Your significant other is convinced you love them more. I don't  have a significant other. Probably because everyone knows that nobody puts Baby in the corner. No second place for my girl!
11. You take them to the dog park everyday after work instead of going out and having fun with human people. I did this every day for the first three years of her life - and I met some of my good friends because of it (humans, not dogs). Now she tends to have more low-key afternoons since she's a mature 4-year-old.
12. You sleep on the floor with them when they're not feeling well. I have done this on the few occasions that Claire was too sick to come to bed. When she had pancreatitis, she couldn't get off the couch one night, so she slept there and I slept on the floor next to her.
13. You spend more money on toys for them than your parents spent on you as a child. Hahaha! When we were home on Cape Cod, even my mother commented on the endless supply of toys!
14. You spent more time stressing out about their doggy wedding to the neighbor’s dog than your own. Not applicable, people! Besides, the neighbor's dog hates Claire. And Claire's many boyfriends would be jealous...
    
    

a little of this and a little of that.

First off, I apologize that I don't have any pictures to share with you all from the past week. As you may have read/seen on the Facebook page, Claire injured her paw and therefore spent a few days gazing longingly outside and sighing with complete boredom. Just as I was about to take her to the vet, though, she bounced back and now it's like that paw is as good as new!

We've continued working on training and Claire is making excellent progress on the reactivity front. I know that it will take a lot of time, consistency, and positive reinforcement, but I'm really happy with how she's been doing since our session with Debbie. We BOTH learned a lot and are working very hard each day (I'll post more about our training session a little later for those who are interested). We're also working on come when called, which somewhere along the way became come when you're done exploring. This is a tough command for Claire, who is a hunter by nature and thus easily distracted by anything that moves. And when her options are (1) listen to me, obey, and get a liver treat, or (2) chase the rabbit and either outrun it and catch it or give it a heart attack and catch it, I usually come in second place. But hey, I'm used to taking on challenges, so we'll keep working at it!

An interesting shift in the dynamics around here is that my mom has been referring to Claire as her dog. She's cute, isn't she?! She even came home this afternoon with some raw beef marrow bones that she picked up while running errands. Claire's love languages are words of affirmation and receiving gifts of bones, so she was ecstatic and sat by the freezer door sniffing around for awhile. Mom also keeps telling me that it's going to be a long drive back to Nashville alone, since Claire will be staying up here on the Cape with her. Ha! I can counter that with, "So you're going to be redecorating by keeping the sheets on the furniture?" Aaaaand... checkmate!

My relatives are visiting the Cape this week and the place they rent is right down the street from our house. I took Claire for our usual early-morning walk/swim on the beach and then we swung by afterwards so she could say hi to everyone. We snuck her in, since dogs aren't even allowed on the premises, but of course the first thing she did was go up to the bay window, put her paws on the window sill, and look out over the pool area. Way to be inconspicuous, Claire! On another note, can I just mention how soft Claire's fur has been because of the salt water? She might smell like seaweed, but her coat looks beautiful and feels like down feathers!

I'll try to be better about taking pictures this week, and in the meantime, I hope you all are enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

last week's headlines.

Headlines from the past week include:

1.  Claire meets the neighbors!

2.  Claire gets beaten up by a cat!

3.  Claire watches the Red Sox!

4.  Claire takes over the car!

5.  Claire continues to swim!

I've been letting Claire roam around the front yard over my lunch break because, well, she needs to be able to run and explore, and most people are at work during the day so there are even less cars running through our quiet neighborhood. Last week I attempted to play frisbee with her, but I'm apparently too boring, so she trotted over to my neighbors yard to sniff around their bushes for rabbits. As I called her to come to me, my neighbor opened the door to say hi and Claire just waltzed right in. My neighbor thought this was hysterical and didn't mind at all, so as we caught up, Claire explored her house. Every so often, she'd come back to the front door to check in with me, and then she'd run off to explore their house some more. At one point, I asked where she went and my neighbor found her snuggling on her daughter's bed among her stuffed animals...

In other news, my mother's forsythia is a hiding place for the neighborhood cats. Claire stumbled upon them one day and tried to engage them in playtime. She wasn't catching on that the hissing wasn't an invitation, and she was ignoring me as I told her to leave it. In an split second, one of the cats swiped her across the face and scared the hell out of her. I think it's safe to say that she's learned her lesson and gives the cats a wide berth when crossing their path now. We'll see how long this lasts before they have to teach her another lesson. In all fairness, she did get a variety of warnings...

Massachusetts is, of course, a state that mainly consists of Red Sox fans. If there's a game on, you can bet we're watching it in my mom's household. The Sox played the Yankees (boo) a few days ago and Claire joined my mom and her boyfriend to watch our team win. Please note that while she got to sit on the couch, I was relegated to the floor -- which is also where I am sitting currently as she snuggles with the fam once again. Super! (Also, check it out: the furniture is still covered haha!)

With the car trouble that I've had lately, a family friend offered to help out and fix what he could while I'm home -- especially before I make the 19-21 hour drive back to Nashville in a few weeks. In addition to installing new brakes, fixing a broken visor, rotating the tires, and completing a 60K check, he changed my cabin air filter. Now please, don't judge me -- think of who my main passenger is! Can you imagine what the inside of my car looks like if this is what the air filter looks like? Can you imagine what my LUNGS look like if this is what the air filter looks like? Good grief...

Claire and I took a very long walk on the beach over the weekend. It was the PERFECT day in terms of weather, I was feeling great, and Claire was ready to get moving. I drove down to the beach and we walked a few miles before stopping for a swim. It still takes her a little while to get used to the waves rolling in before she goes swimming, but after running along the shore for a few minutes, she's brave enough to bound in. Rumor has it that people have spotted some sharks off the coast, so hopefully neither of us will run into them over the next few weeks. I'm not a fan of JAWS reinactments -- though I'm sure Claire could take 'em, I don't want the chance to find out! Here's my happy girl walking along the jetty right before our swim:

 

cape life.

Here we are, a full month after our last post. Where does the time go?! Claire and I took a little road trip from Nashville to Cape Cod last weekend and we'll be here for the next month. Whenever I'm here, I feel like I can just exhale. I can't think of any other way to put it, so... that's that.

Can I just say that it is a VERY long drive from Tennessee to Massachusetts? It was quite eventful, too, as the air conditioner in my car broke halfway through the extremely large state of Virginia. If it hadn't been a sunny 90*F day, I would have tried to ride it out until we got here, but because it was just so hot, I had to stop and get it repaired. Thankfully it was an easy fix and we were able to get back on the road after three hours or so -- and I have to give Firestone a huge shout-out (the one in Nowheresville, VA) for being so awesome and letting Claire hang out in the lobby. They even gave her treats and water while we waited. Talk about service!

We finally made it to Harrisburg PA where we stayed in a hotel for the night. Claire got her own queen-sized bed, which she was quite excited about, as you can see by the blur of her wagging tail in this picture:

 

We made it to the Cape the next day without any hiccups, and I cannot emphasize enough how glad we both were to get out of the car. I actually have no recollection of what we did that night because my mind was blank from driving for so long. The one thing that I did not anticipate was how rough the drive would be on my body. My fibromyalgia flared up like mad and after a full week, I'm finally feeling better. Note to self for the next time: break up the drive into three days, not two.

 

The next morning, Claire and I woke up early and took a long walk on the beach. It was her first time there, and y'all, I can't wait to post the video of her reaction. But that will have to wait until I get back to Nashville, so hang tight in the meantime. At first she was afraid of the waves, but by the end of our walk, she was running straight into them. She tried to drink the water like she does when I take her to the river in Nashville, but the salt from the ocean made her sneeze. Puppy sneezes are the cutest! But she didn't try to drink it again, which was a safe bet. And hey, this is a picture that I took of the sunrise that morning. Can you tell that it was the perfect day?

 

 

 

 

Later that day, one of my besties came to visit and it was AMAZING to see her. It had been a year since we'd seen each other, and I fully intend for us to visit a lot over the next month!! We went out to lunch to catch up and then spent the afternoon hanging out on the beach. Claire was so tired after her morning romp in the waves, so I didn't feel bad leaving her for a few hours. She needed the rest!

 

 

I know some of y'all are connected with us on our Facebook page, but for those of you who aren't, you need to know that part of my mother's preparation for our arrival included putting sheets all over the furniture to "protect" them from Claire's fur. Clearly, we never had dogs growing up. Anyway, Claire's new favorite lookout is the window behind the sheeted couch, which gives her a good view of one side of our neighborhood (and, more importantly, of the squirrels and rabbits), so she's been spending a lot of time here. Again, please note the happy tail.

 

 

Interestingly enough, my mom forgot to cover one chair in the house, which has become a great place for naps. Claire is smart enough to curl up here when my mom isn't home. I don't have the heart to tell her to get off, especially when she's as cute as she is. Who wants to disturb a comfortable dog, anyway? Not me. That's just mean!

 

 

 

Of course, I still have to work during the week (though I'm so thankful that I can work remotely!), but Claire and I have settled into a routine that seems to be working well. My "office" is in a room that I only go into while I'm working - I thought that would help Claire understand that I can't play when we're there. We get up in the morning and go for a long walk, eat breakfast, and do a little training, and then I get the work day started. Claire hangs out with me and naps until lunch, alternating between the floor, the couch, and this cozy little pallet that I've set up for her next to my desk.

 

 

 

I've got an hour break for lunch, so after grabbing some food, Claire and I spend some time playing frisbee, going running, and doing more training. After she's gotten out some energy, she's ready to lounge around while I finish up the second half of the work day. At night, we've been heading to the beach after most of the tourists have left, and we'll go for another long walk/run so I can unwind and Claire can get back outside for a bit. Then it's time for dinner and playtime (she likes to play tug with her stuffed animals, and four of them have already succombed to her destruction), and then we hang out with my mom and her boyfriend before calling it a night.

 

 

The other night we went for a walk at the Harbor instead of at the beach - mainly because I was feeling nostalgic for a place where my friends and I hung out a lot when we were in high school. There were a couple other dogs around and Claire did really well by not reacting to them. I was so proud of her! Anyway, while we were walking on the docks, Claire saw ducks for the first time EVER and was absolutely fascinated by them. She didn't cry or whine or bark, she just sat there transfixed. Birds in the water? Who would've thought!

 

So, now you know what we've been up to and where we've been lately! I'll be posting again next weekend, for sure. And of course I'll share more pictures too. Hope you all are well and have been enjoying your summer!

 

projects and painting and planning, oh my!

A title like that can only mean one thing: Mom was in town! She came for a visit this weekend and whipped our house into shape with nine million projects that were able to be completed in a mere 72 hours - and she still made sure that we had time to go out to eat with friends! I am jealous of her energy, especially since it takes me a solid five cups of coffee before I am even 25% as efficient as she is with her time! I don't know how she does it, but I'm hoping she'll share her secret with me someday!

The house projects were as follows:

-- hang up the kitchen curtains that have been sitting in storage for a year

-- hang up the guest room curtains that have been sitting in storage for two years

-- caulk and repair the corner of the cabinet that Claire destroyed from the act of busting out of her kennel when we first moved in... which took place back in 2010

-- caulk and repair the window frame in my bedroom that was damaged during the Break-In of 2011

-- buy new frames for pictures

-- hang up two pictures

-- touch up the paint on the walls in the kitchen

-- touch up the paint on the walls in the living room

-- touch up the paint on the walls in my bedroom

-- touch up the paint on the walls in the guest room [which turned into repainting the whole room because we bought the wrong paint color and didn't realize until it was too late]

-- clean out the shed so my friend can store her things there while she's out of the country

-- search for the Missing Suitcase [this was the one thing that was unsuccessful]

-- decorate the bathroom

Claire was a rockstar this weekend. I really wanted to be able to take her hiking with my mom and me, but as you can see from the aforementioned list [which is not comprehensive, by the way], there wasn't enough time! It was also really hot and humid this weekend, so it wasn't the best hiking weather anyway. So Claire hung out with us while we worked on these projects, and she was happy doing just that: hanging out with us [and getting some treats while doing so, like coconut milk ice cream and fresh strawberries]. The paint made her sneeze, though, so she laid by the bedroom door while we worked in the guest room. That didn't stop her from trying to help out by rubbing up against the freshly painted wall...

Oh, my dog? She's the one that's black and white with a gray butt.

Claire and Mumsies!

what we're looking forward to.

So. After doing a lot of thinking and planning and talking things through, I have decided that Claire and I are going to go home to Cape Cod for a few weeks this summer. Like... for a whole five of them. It'll take two days to drive there and two days to drive back, but Claire did great on the trip home in 2011, so I think she'll be great this time too. I'll be working remotely, so I won't have to use any vacation days or anything. And when I'm not working, I plan on taking Claire for lots of early morning and twilight runs at the beach, lunch time swimming breaks down at the pond by my house, weekend walks on the bike path in Woods Hole, and play dates for Claire with my brother's dog Lexie (and maybe Brianna and Asya if she's lucky!). And a whole lot of quality time with family. I think it's going to be really good rest for my soul, and it'll all just be so exciting for Claire. I'm really really looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I've been creating a wish list of things to buy before we head up north. I'm sure that there's a whole bunch of things that I haven't even thought of, so share your suggestions in the comments section if I need to add things! As for what I have so far...

This dog bed and bed cover by Boots&Barkley

which is perfect for lounging while I'm busy working.

This life jacket from Ruffwear

to keep Claire safe while treading salt water.

This 30-foot leash so Claire can roam in the yard
while I enjoy some quiet time in the mornings on the porch.

An extra set of elevated dog bowls by Popware;
they're so great that I think I need to keep a set back home too for future visits.

Any other ideas of things to buy for our trip home?

praying for boston and planning for the just-in-case's.

I had a very different post planned for this evening.

That changed when I was at the gym after work and saw the news about the explosions at the Boston Marathon. Thankfully my family and friends are all okay. Obviously shaken, but safe at home now. I am absolutely stunned by today's tragedy. I can't even put how I'm feeling into words. I had to turn off the news because they don't have any new information, and they are replaying video clips over and over again. Watching that on repeat isn't good for anyone.

As many of you know, I'm from Cape Cod, went to college on the North Shore of Massachusetts, and went to grad school at Boston University. I moved to Colorado for a few years before settling down here in Nashville [4 years ago this June - crazy how time flies]. My family still lives on the Cape and most of my friends still live in New England. Because of that, my family and I have put an unofficial emergency plan in place. I got to thinking about how that's really great for information purposes, but if there was any kind of emergency in Nashville (whether it be weather-related, a national crisis, etc), they are a bit too far away to really be of any immediate help, you know?

It's just me and Claire here in the south, so my emergency plan for the past four years has been somewhat vague and really simple: (1) get to Claire, (2) get us both in a safe place, then (3) call and update the family. But then I thought this terrible thing: what if I couldn't physically get to Claire? [Of course I laughed after I thought of that because - let's be honest - I'd walk on a bed of nails to get to Claire]. After compiling a list of things that I hadn't yet considered in my quest to be prepared, I found this site, which is a great resource in pointing out some key things to think about when putting together an emergency plan that includes your pets.

1. Put together a kit of pet emergency supplies - at least 3 days worth of food and water, medications, medical records, a first aid kit, collar with ID tag and harness/leash, a picture of you with your pet with detailed information about them (breed, color, age, sex, distinguishing characteristics, etc), and favorite treats/toys/bedding.
2. Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency [and no, "freaking out" is not on that list]. Plan where you and your pet will go if you need to evacuate. Develop a buddy system so that if you can't get to your pets, someone you trust can help you. Talk to your vet about emergency planning. Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment.
3. Be prepared for what might happen. Stay informed about what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region. Be prepared to adapt this information to your circumstances.

And hey, while you and your family are making your emergency plan, do me a favor and pray for Boston, okay? They could really use it right about now.

little blessings.

Hi everyone, and Merry Christmas! I hope you all had an incredible day filled with blessings! I didn't get to spend the holidays with my family this year (which was so weird), but we talked on the phone throughout the day so it definitely felt like we were together! I did, however, get to spend most of the day with Claire, which was glorious. She even helped me open presents while I was on the phone with my mom and sister. And can I just say how brave my aunt was to send me another new pair of slippers? Claire has a fascination with slippers and can't resist tearing them up. Seriously, in the past three years, she has shredded more than six pairs. You would think I'd remember to put them away so she couldn't get to them, right? Well, I'm determined to keep this pair around for awhile. Of course, I barely got them unwrapped before Claire bounded over and tried to take them from me... I think she has some kind of radar or something, because she is ridiculously drawn to them. I've never seen anything like it. Anyway, not only was I blessed to be able to chat with my family throughout the day, but I also got to spend time with some friends who couldn't go home this year, either. We had dinner and dessert together last night, which was wonderful. Claire was invited too, but I decided that Otis (our houseguest) could use some company while I went out for a few hours of "adult time", so the kids stayed at home ;)

As for a Christmas miracle, I got mine a day late but it was not a moment too soon! I was on my way to drop off Claire at school this morning and had just turned off the highway when I realized that I had a flat tire - and no man to help me, no Triple A membership, and no idea if I even had a spare in my trunk. Thankfully, I was only a quarter of a mile away from Firestone, so I rolled on down the street and pulled in. They didn't have anyone waiting, so they got me right in. Because I hadn't had a chance to drop off Claire at school yet, I asked if she could come in while they fixed my car. The manager was so nice and said that he didn't have a problem with it, so she was really excited to go and make some new friends in the waiting area. And guys, let me brag for a second: she was an absolute ANGEL. She sat quietly right in front of me and I gave her a little puppy massage while we waited. I was so proud of her excellent behavior! Unfortunately, the guys couldn't patch my tire (and I actually ended up needing TWO new ones), so when I realized that it was going to take awhile, I took a chance and called Stacey, the owner of Claire's daycare. Oddly enough, Stacey wasn't completely swamped with work when I called, and she was incredibly sweet to come and pick up Claire to take her to school. I mean, if you're going to get a flat, there's no better circumstance! When I finally was able to make it to work, I was just so grateful for all of the help that I didn't even mind the unforeseen expense!

What did you all do for the holidays? Any Christmas miracles for you?

cape cod's black dog.

I know, I know... We completely disappeared for a week. But I couldn't blog about where I was going because it was a surprise!! Now that I'm back, however, I can tell you that I took a quick trip home to see my family and to celebrate my grandparents 55th wedding anniversary -- yes, you read that correctly, they have been married for FIFTY FIVE years! Amazing, right?! And while I was spending time at the beach, Miss Claire went off to "camp" at Bark-O-Lounge. Stacey and Courtney are so amazing: they sent me a couple pictures each day of Claire playing in the pool, lounging around on Stacey's bed, giving Courtney kisses, and hanging out with her pals. I was a teensy bit jealous, actually...

While I was home, I just had to stop at one of my favorite stores of all time: The Black Dog [Seriously, I'm obsessed! I'll always accept gift cards... hint hint.] If any of you have ever been to Cape Cod, it's likely that you know about this store. They have awesome apparel for the whole family - including great gifts for your dog. Whenever I go on vacation, I always bring Claire a gift [she gets really excited if you mention that you have a present for her], and when I take trips back home, it's always something awesome from The Black Dog. This time, she got some bacon flavored treats - I was happily surprised to see that their line of treats are wheat, soy, and corn free and don't contain any of the things that Claire is allergic to. That being said, you should definitely check out their website and get some for your dog - and maybe even a comfy sweatshirt for yourself, while you're at it.

Gifts for my black dog from The Black Dog.

   

would you like some fur with that?

My friend Katie over at Life with Arie posted a Facebook status with some tips on how to prepare for a new puppy. To save you some time, here's a sample, but go to her Facebook page to read the whole thing:

How to prepare for a new puppy:
■ Pour cold apple juice on the carpet in several places, and walk around barefoot in the dark.
■ Wear a sock to work that has had the toes shredded by a blender.
■ Leave your underwear on the living room floor, because that’s where the dog will drag it anyway - especially when you have company.
■ Cover all your best suits with dog hair. Dark suits must use white hair, and light suits must use dark hair. Also, float some hair in your first cup of coffee in the morning.

That last one got me, particularly about finding dog hair in your coffee. Claire sheds a lot for a short-haired dog so, though I don't drink coffee, I find her fur everywhere. There have been times when I have unloaded the dishwasher and found it on the side of a clean cup. Remember this if you come visit me and are the victim of a rogue piece of fur... This is your warning.

During my sister's first visit to Nashville, she had an opportunity to meet the guy that I was dating at the time. I was sick with a horrible cold, and he was kind enough to make me homemade chicken noodle soup. The three of us sat down at the dinner table to have some, and my sister happened to notice that he paused while eating to pick a stray fur out of his soup. This guy was so polite that he was hoping that neither of us noticed because he didn't want me to feel bad; there's only so much control that a person can have over where a shedding dog's fur lands. My sister, however, missed that cue of his and said, "EWW LAUREN!!!! THERE WAS SOME OF CLAIRE'S FUR IN HIS SOUP!! THAT IS SO GROSS!!" [She's not one for subtlety, but I love her anyway]. I was so embarrassed, not only because of the fur in the soup, but also because I was called out on it. Oh, and I believe she also made some kind of joke about cleanliness, which was completely unfounded since I'm a pretty Type A person and can't function without things being neat and tidy. But this guy and I were just getting to know each other, so I don't think he caught on to the joke...

Did I mention that we're no longer dating? I can assure you that it was not because of this incident. At least, I don't think that was why...

maushart vs mommies.

I am on a posting rampage this week, huh? Well, for those of you who are thinking, "Doesn't she have a life?" The answer is: yes, yes I do. Which is why this post won't be long. I'm just absolutely furious about Susan Maushart's article in the Huffington Post entitled Pet Parents are NOT Moms. Like, I'm so mad that I don't even know how to put my thoughts into words. Thankfully, my pal Dr. V over at Pawcurious was able to articulate it, so go read her response. And then give her a hearty round of applause.

 HAPPY EARLY MOTHER'S DAY
to all of the pet moms that I know!!

     

the cure for any sickness.

My sis and I had a great time hanging out this weekend during her quick weekend trip to Nashville. And you know, I wish I could show you a montage of pics of the two of us with Claire at a variety of places doing lots of fun things. But I can't, for two reasons:

1. Andie and I spent the majority of the weekend touring the Nashville restaurant scene. Don't even judge. We're Italian. Eating is like... a hobby for us.
2. Claire was sick. Again. With a stomach bug. Or pancreatitis. Or a stomach bug that triggered pancreatitis. Either way, she ended up at Banfield on lots of medicine and special food.

Claire spent most of the weekend resting. And while I absolutely loved spending quality time with Andie, I was also very worried about Claire and how she was feeling. We took her for a short walk on Saturday morning and she did just fine, but when we got back to the house, she laid back down in bed and just looked pitiful. We took her to the park for an hour yesterday, but instead of playing with her friends, she stayed close by and got lots of loving from my friends.

We took her with us when we ran errands [I'm starting to think that she likes going for rides in the car since our roadtrip at Christmastime] and while I ran in and out of a couple stores to get what we needed, Andie opted to stay in the car with Claire to keep her company. I tried to make it quick because I wanted to get Claire home to rest [and because it was time for me and Andie to eat our 20348324th 3rd meal of the day], but from the looks of it, I didn't need to rush.

I found this picture posted to Facebook on Andie's profile when I got home. If I didn't know how sick Claire actually was over the weekend, I would think that she was faking it so she could spend some quality time with Andie. Regardless, I am positive that this little snuggle-fest made her feel better.

Maybe it's a coincidence, but since then, Claire has been more energetic and has started to eat her regular food again. Naturally, I've decided to attribute Claire's progress to Andrea's visit - an obvious conclusion to come to, don't you think?! Someone's trip to Nashville should be extended. I mean, if not for me, Andie, do it for Claire!!

   

  

a valentine from claire.

In my 27 years of life, all but one Valentine's Day has been just an ordinary day. And you know what? I'm okay with that. Because my ordinary days are amazing - they are filled with constant reminders of how much I am loved by the ones I love. God has blessed me with my sweet Claire, an awesome family, and some pretty great friends. I'm a lucky girl!

These wonderful people sent me many heartfelt words for Valentine's Day. My mom's card made me cry and is one that I will cherish forever. My eight-year-old brother, on the other hand [who you might remember from this post], sent me a card that got the biggest "Awww!" factor.

He called me the other night and said, "Hey Andrea, did you get a card from Claire yet?" [And no, my name is not Andrea, but he likes to pretend that he still mixes up my sister and I - which he actually used to do when he was younger]. After I reminded him that I'm Lauren, I told him that I hadn't yet gotten a card. I was sort of confused by his question, but I figured he meant did you get a card for Claire. But... I checked the mail this morning and found a card addressed to me that said it was sent from Claire above the return address. Here's what I found when I opened it up:

I don't know if my favorite part is the picture of me and Claire that he so carefully taped over the puppy's face, or if it's the paw prints that he drew to sign it! But there you have it - my bro helped Claire send me a very special Valentine's Day card! Cutest thing ever? I think so.

  

  

the co-sleeping arrangement, as of late.

So. My dad bought me an amazing gift for Christmas. Amazing. I don't think he envisioned that I would have to share it with Claire, but what's mine is hers and what's hers is...hers. Hmm... lucky dog.

Anyway, Dad bought me a heated mattress cover. Did you know that they make these babies? Well they do. [Invest in one. You won't regret it]. I am now sleeping like a little burrito, with a heated mattress cover under me and a heated blanket over me. It's a great little cocoon.

Claire thinks so too.

The little miss starts out by curling up at the end of the bed on top of the blanket that my mom gave her from Pier 1. [Because basically, when we went home for Christmas, Claire claimed it as her own, and my sweet mama - as generous as she is - decided that Claire should keep it since she loves it so much]. Usually, Claire likes her space when she sleeps and only on occasion would she come and cuddle with me through the night. But now, around midnight every night, I find myself waking up to the sound of Claire jumping off my bed. When I am fully awake, I see that she is sitting next to my bed looking at me. [Which sounds sort of creepy, but... it's not]. And - like clockwork, every night - I climb out of bed and Claire jumps back into bed - into my spot - and gets all cozy in the cocoon. And there she sleeps until morning.

It's been cold in Nashville lately, apart from yesterday's 60*F-tornado-warning weather, so the heated mattress cover has been a blessing to keep us extra warm in this old house! And I certainly don't mind sharing the warmth with my girl.

...Though I could do without the midnight wake-up calls.
 
 

bourne farm.

My sister Andrea, me, and Claire at Christmas.

(Please check out my sister's amazing slippers. They are awesome!!)

When Claire and I went home to Cape Cod for the holidays, I was thrilled to find out that the town recently built a dog park less than three miles away from my mom's house. Claire was less than excited, however, when the rocks that covered the ground kept getting stuck in her paw pads. [Seriously, people, why didn't you think of that when you built the park?!] Not so comfortable. My mom had a much better suggestion, which Claire and I are both ever thankful for: she told us to go right down the street to Bourne Farm. They have a huge open field, trails throughout the property, a pond... and it's absolutely beautiful.

Claire at the farm. She's very observant.

(Probably looking out for squirrels.)

We met my stepmom and brother there a couple times so that their dog, Lexie, could play with Claire. You would've thought they'd known each other forever if you saw them on the day that they met. Lexie bounded out of the car and Claire ran right on over to play.

Lexie in all her glory.

(The coonhound who thinks she's a lap dog. Loooove her!)

Of course, my little brother joined in the fun as well, alternating between climbing trees, chasing Claire and Lexie, and rolling down hills. He even followed them into the freezing cold 33*F pond when they decided to go for a swim. Needless to say, my stepmom and I were NOT pleased with him for that one...

My eight-year-old brother. I want to steal his freckles.

(Can't you see him getting away with anything?! He's just so cute!)

While we were there, I managed to get some great (and hilarious) shots of Claire running at full speed... but you're going to have to wait for the next blog post to see them. [I know, the suspense is just killing you!] No worries, they'll be up within the next few days!

To my sister Tori: I know you're more fashionista than farm girl, but I'm dragging you out with us next year. You have the next 11 months to prepare, got it?? :)

  

  

winning them over.

We made it!! We're back in Massachusetts with the family for the holidays!! It was a long drive, but it was 100% worth it! When we arrived, Claire finally got to meet my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. She absolutely loves them! Not only that, but they absolutely love her! Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to watch out for my grandmother... she made a few comments that have me thinking that she might try to kidnap Claire when I'm not looking [Don't get any ideas! I've got my eye on you!].


Ever since I begged bribed asked my mom if Claire could come home with me for Christmas this year, she has been adamant that Claire is not allowed on any of her furniture, aside from my bed. A few weeks ago, I told her that my goal was to get her to let Claire on the furniture by the time Christmas was over. As it turns out, I didn't even have a chance to try and persuade her. We were home for less than twelve hours before my mom changed her mind; I went out to the store real quick and by the time I came back, this is what I found:

Then we have my sister Andie who is very much NOT a dog person. She is the biggest non-dog person of all of the non-dog people who make up my wonderful family (though clearly, Claire is converting them one at a time). Andie says that she likes dogs, just not when they lick, jump, shed, or bark. Hmm. When Andie first got home, she cringed when Claire came near her. Two hours later, Claire's head was in her lap and Andie had wrapped her in her scarf.

So, as some of you know, I was really concerned about how this was all going to go. I wasn't sure how my family would react to having a dog in the house, since we didn't grow up with pets. But I obviously should've trusted Claire more, because she has been nothing less than her sweet self which won everyone over immediately. It looks like we'll be going on a road trip for the holidays every year from here on out!

  

  

moose.

My grandmother's funeral was today, so I feel like I should share one of her stories in honor of her. Over the past few years, every single time I talked to her, she would ask how Claire was doing... and then she would proceed to tell me the following story.

Though my sister and I never had a dog growing up, my dad did. His name was Moose, which was very fitting since he was a St. Bernard. He wasn't allowed inside very much, unless it was extremely bad weather. He slept on a dog bed on the porch and began each day by eating a big bowl of homemade spaghetti and meatballs. According to my grandmother, Moose walked my dad and his brothers to the bus stop every day. When he saw that they made it safely on the bus, he returned to the house for a short nap (probably from a carbohydrate coma). When he woke up, fully rejuvenated and food finally digested, he would roam around the neighborhood until the early afternoon when the postman came by. Apparently, Moose loved the postman. He would get a quick pat on the head and then would alert my grandmother to his arrival by barking incessantly until she came out to get the mail. Afternoons were hunting time. Gram said that he would bring back "presents" and leave them on the porch for her to find. She mentioned her hatred of these gifts, but loved the fact that Moose would stand there wagging his tail while she made a huge fuss about how gross it was that he would leave his kill on the porch for her - I tried to explain that these were gifts of love, but she was still horrified to remember it! Moose waited at the bus stop for my dad and his brothers to come home from school, and then he accompanied them on all of their adventures until dinner time - which was most likely a feast of veal, chicken, or eggplant parmesan.

Claire and Moose live very different lives, which is definitely a sign of the times. Over the past fifty years, dogs have continued to be a huge part of the family, but I feel like their comfort is taken more into consideration now. I mean, Claire sleeps in my bed, goes to school a few days during the week, gets lots of snuggles, and comes with me wherever I go (for the most part). Moose, on the other hand, spent most of his time outside and got the run of the land. However, both seem like they are very happy dogs whose lives are fulfilled. You know... I just hope that Moose realized what a gift it was to be the recipient of my Gram's food. Her homemade meals were more precious than gold, so Moose definitely held a special place in her heart!

  

  

an unexpected trip home.

I'm writing this from my grandmother's hospital room at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. I flew home yesterday to be with my family and I'll be here for at least a week. My very independent Gram fell on Thursday, and when she got to the hospital, they found that she had a pretty significant arterial bleed in her brain. She has been on life support since and, though she has opened her eyes once or twice, the doctors do not anticipate recovery. I will be taking a break from blogging until I return to Nashville, where Claire is (once again) staying at school while I am gone.

Is it strange that the one I want to be with the most during this time is my sweet Claire? Probably. But because I live so far from my parents, my sisters, my brother, and my soul-friends, Claire is the only family member who I spend each and every day with. So, when you look at it from that point of view, I suppose it doesn't seem strange at all...

Say some prayers, friends. That my Gram is comfortable and dreaming of having coffee with my grandfather while she is hooked up to all of these machines. That my dad and uncles would have peace and be comforted. That the grandchildren will be supports to them as they make some tough decisions over the next few days.

I'll be back relatively soon.