Who doesn't struggle (at least a bit) with change?
It's so much fun to be disgruntled when something you're used to, something you're comfortable with, has to up and vanish or not be like we expect. I'm intending to be gruntled instead though. Working on it.
On puppies and dogs. I've never had one of my very own. And I really want the companionship and unconditional love from a furry friend. But. The responsibility is overwhelming trying for my first at 66. I don't have kids, and came from a small family, so when a breeder or trainer says "it's like having a kid..." I cringe. And take a pass. So for now I'll dog sit, bake treats, and give my full attention to any furry friend at my feet, or the one jumping on me, knocking me down to the ground, or the the one who threw up all over my bed and had to be rushed to the emergency vet, all of them get as much love, care, and attention as I can give... and I am their voice when there isn't 'that person' who will speak for them. Great article!
Thanks so much, Patti. I thought about fostering but realized all the dogs who came through here would be fails, and I'd end up with an entire pack. So....I picked one. Happily so far, so good!
Patti, if you rescue a shelter dog the duty is nowhere near as hefty as raising a puppy. There are SO MANY mature, well-behaved dogs that need adopting. They're not all like toddlers. Mine is my rock, confidante, and partner in life!
My biggest issue is that my place isn't equipped to give a dog what is needed for his or her best interests. I don't have a fenced in backyard, ingress/egress from our condo isn't easy, especially when bathroom time comes around, and there isn't anywhere to walk except the street, which I can't walk on, I need trail, or soft ground. I watch the few in here who have dogs and it's a struggle. We're in an HOA, a fairly controlling one, so though I'd live to rescue a dog, I won't do so until 100% commitment is in effect. If and when we move rhe first of my criteria is a fenced in backyard with a door that goes out to it. That, and access close by to a vet, one I can count on. (Another issue here in my area.)
Ahh yes, I understand. I also live in a condo and have an 85 lb, high energy mutt lol. It's not for everyone that's for sure! We're at the off-leash park everyday, she gets a ton of exercise but I do wish there were more affordable real homes here so she could have a yard.
I tried two different times to have a dog, logistically it isn't possible. 85 pounds of pure bliss is what I think you've got. If it wasn't my first time being a dog owner I'd take a chance, but the last thing I want to do is traumatize a dog by having to give it up after find ing a home. I see my future dog in my forever home, but that's in the far distance I suspect. But I'll still stay connected one way or another. (Today I baked and dropped off organic treats to the three Bernese Moutain dogs at my gym, so I did get some pet therapy while there, win/win!)
Julia, learning to walk again is no small feat. Tore both quadriceps and ended up in a wheelchair. Then two additional surgeries, for other stuff, in just over two years. Not for the faint hearted. I've lost two pets so far this year. Change is constant. The sooner we figure that out and embrace it the happier we become.
My learning to walk again wasnt as rough as yours, al eut I minimized both the pain and the demands of recovery. My feet are fundamentally different now, I often can't feel where they are and that led to a busted hip last year. The nerve pain? Holy shit. The lessons we learn along the way, Michele. Thanks!
First, Mika is ADORBS. And the new tent looks great on her. As for your essay, I resonate with every. Single. Word. The tearing down and building back up -- the death that's required for new life to unfold -- it isn't the way I'd design things. So it's a good thing I'm not the producer of the whole show, because it would never go anywhere at all under my solo direction. One thing I appreciate about getting older is that the cycle of seasons seems to speed up, which allows me to appreciate their transformation even more.
Julia, I wonder if there is any way to subscribe only to everything "Too Old for This Sh*t: How to Take Your Life Back from an Ageist Society"? So, not the adventure part?
Thanks for the question, Jodi. I haven’t yet gotten to the point where I’m ready to launch a separate stack for the adventure bit, but I’m thinking about it. I just got a new puppy and am readying for my first adventure of the year so the time investment doesn’t work for me right now. However you bring up the same point I was pondering yesterday. The adventure is a fundamental part of my life and personal growth and I can’t separate that from healthy aging, which is one way to look at it. Meanwhile, you can just delete those when you see the line indicating it’s another adventure. I do hear you, I am thinking about how and when to do that, but I need my new baby to settle in and for me to find a life rhythm before I can start moving things around. I appreciate the question and suspect you’re not the only one, as I also have readers who only want the adventure bits. That’s life!
understood and understand. enjoy the pup and thanks for responding so quickly! The adventures appeal to me, but unfortunately for the time being I'm grounded, caring for my 94-year-old Ma with dementia.
Sweet Mika! Oh, how I love animals. They truly are the best teachers for learning to be in the moment. My two Golden Retrievers (Daisy and Doby) are a handful, but I wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world. Their pure joy at the aspect of just going outside is incredible - and contagious! :-)
Sending love to you and Mika from the east coast!
P.S.
Since introducing Mika to us, you are now obligated to provide a weekly update on her, along with photos! :-D Kidding.... (but really, that would be awesome).
I LOVE your perspective! I think I'm adopting it... much healthier to adapt than to fight change. And Mika is so sweet... God bless you and your furbaby.❤️
I love this! I thought my life was ending…but I can see now it was a beginning for me…to grow up, gain confidence, take over what was dear to him. I was dependent on him; lazy, avoiding decisions, not cooking etc. you and Jodi have given me a good perspective, Julie! 🥰Thank you for including me in this today. I loved Oregon when I stayed in Bend/golf resort! 😅Love how you refer to MN as She! ☺️ And big hugs to your sweet pup…camera ready and photogenic! you are a wonderful dog mom! Much love and appreciation to you, dear friend! Hugs 🤗🫶❤️
Well said, Jay. Even in grief. You wrote a while back about some of your medical challenges. Isn't it always the case that as we move through the grief of having to give up some version of ourselves, we do indeed find some new one waiting in the wings?
Who doesn't struggle (at least a bit) with change?
It's so much fun to be disgruntled when something you're used to, something you're comfortable with, has to up and vanish or not be like we expect. I'm intending to be gruntled instead though. Working on it.
I love the idea of being "gruntled." I'll take that any day!
On puppies and dogs. I've never had one of my very own. And I really want the companionship and unconditional love from a furry friend. But. The responsibility is overwhelming trying for my first at 66. I don't have kids, and came from a small family, so when a breeder or trainer says "it's like having a kid..." I cringe. And take a pass. So for now I'll dog sit, bake treats, and give my full attention to any furry friend at my feet, or the one jumping on me, knocking me down to the ground, or the the one who threw up all over my bed and had to be rushed to the emergency vet, all of them get as much love, care, and attention as I can give... and I am their voice when there isn't 'that person' who will speak for them. Great article!
Thanks so much, Patti. I thought about fostering but realized all the dogs who came through here would be fails, and I'd end up with an entire pack. So....I picked one. Happily so far, so good!
Yay!! I'm happy for you. I'm not ready for the responsibility yet, but getting closer.
Patti, if you rescue a shelter dog the duty is nowhere near as hefty as raising a puppy. There are SO MANY mature, well-behaved dogs that need adopting. They're not all like toddlers. Mine is my rock, confidante, and partner in life!
My biggest issue is that my place isn't equipped to give a dog what is needed for his or her best interests. I don't have a fenced in backyard, ingress/egress from our condo isn't easy, especially when bathroom time comes around, and there isn't anywhere to walk except the street, which I can't walk on, I need trail, or soft ground. I watch the few in here who have dogs and it's a struggle. We're in an HOA, a fairly controlling one, so though I'd live to rescue a dog, I won't do so until 100% commitment is in effect. If and when we move rhe first of my criteria is a fenced in backyard with a door that goes out to it. That, and access close by to a vet, one I can count on. (Another issue here in my area.)
Ahh yes, I understand. I also live in a condo and have an 85 lb, high energy mutt lol. It's not for everyone that's for sure! We're at the off-leash park everyday, she gets a ton of exercise but I do wish there were more affordable real homes here so she could have a yard.
I tried two different times to have a dog, logistically it isn't possible. 85 pounds of pure bliss is what I think you've got. If it wasn't my first time being a dog owner I'd take a chance, but the last thing I want to do is traumatize a dog by having to give it up after find ing a home. I see my future dog in my forever home, but that's in the far distance I suspect. But I'll still stay connected one way or another. (Today I baked and dropped off organic treats to the three Bernese Moutain dogs at my gym, so I did get some pet therapy while there, win/win!)
Try a cat!
I've had six cats in my past, all rescues.
Excellent!
Julia, learning to walk again is no small feat. Tore both quadriceps and ended up in a wheelchair. Then two additional surgeries, for other stuff, in just over two years. Not for the faint hearted. I've lost two pets so far this year. Change is constant. The sooner we figure that out and embrace it the happier we become.
My learning to walk again wasnt as rough as yours, al eut I minimized both the pain and the demands of recovery. My feet are fundamentally different now, I often can't feel where they are and that led to a busted hip last year. The nerve pain? Holy shit. The lessons we learn along the way, Michele. Thanks!
First, Mika is ADORBS. And the new tent looks great on her. As for your essay, I resonate with every. Single. Word. The tearing down and building back up -- the death that's required for new life to unfold -- it isn't the way I'd design things. So it's a good thing I'm not the producer of the whole show, because it would never go anywhere at all under my solo direction. One thing I appreciate about getting older is that the cycle of seasons seems to speed up, which allows me to appreciate their transformation even more.
She is a velcro dog, learning a bit about boundaries, but I love how affectionate she is. She's definitely going to be a big girl.
Julia, I wonder if there is any way to subscribe only to everything "Too Old for This Sh*t: How to Take Your Life Back from an Ageist Society"? So, not the adventure part?
Thanks for the question, Jodi. I haven’t yet gotten to the point where I’m ready to launch a separate stack for the adventure bit, but I’m thinking about it. I just got a new puppy and am readying for my first adventure of the year so the time investment doesn’t work for me right now. However you bring up the same point I was pondering yesterday. The adventure is a fundamental part of my life and personal growth and I can’t separate that from healthy aging, which is one way to look at it. Meanwhile, you can just delete those when you see the line indicating it’s another adventure. I do hear you, I am thinking about how and when to do that, but I need my new baby to settle in and for me to find a life rhythm before I can start moving things around. I appreciate the question and suspect you’re not the only one, as I also have readers who only want the adventure bits. That’s life!
understood and understand. enjoy the pup and thanks for responding so quickly! The adventures appeal to me, but unfortunately for the time being I'm grounded, caring for my 94-year-old Ma with dementia.
Great post Julia! I tore my ACL in 2019 and this qoute by Marcus Aurelius became my mantra-
"The impediment to action advances action, what stands in the way becomes the way."
A lot of big changes are hitting me in mid life right now and I'm applying this more broadly to them. I love your focus on living a good life!
Thanks Eric. I can't recall if it was Aurelius but someone saidd that the obstacle becomes the way. When we avoid the obstacle we never find the way.
Sweet Mika! Oh, how I love animals. They truly are the best teachers for learning to be in the moment. My two Golden Retrievers (Daisy and Doby) are a handful, but I wouldn't trade them for all the money in the world. Their pure joy at the aspect of just going outside is incredible - and contagious! :-)
Sending love to you and Mika from the east coast!
P.S.
Since introducing Mika to us, you are now obligated to provide a weekly update on her, along with photos! :-D Kidding.... (but really, that would be awesome).
I'll do what I can. I have my hands full!
I LOVE your perspective! I think I'm adopting it... much healthier to adapt than to fight change. And Mika is so sweet... God bless you and your furbaby.❤️
Many thanks, Joyce. We're adapting to each other and it's a joy. a
I love this! I thought my life was ending…but I can see now it was a beginning for me…to grow up, gain confidence, take over what was dear to him. I was dependent on him; lazy, avoiding decisions, not cooking etc. you and Jodi have given me a good perspective, Julie! 🥰Thank you for including me in this today. I loved Oregon when I stayed in Bend/golf resort! 😅Love how you refer to MN as She! ☺️ And big hugs to your sweet pup…camera ready and photogenic! you are a wonderful dog mom! Much love and appreciation to you, dear friend! Hugs 🤗🫶❤️
Love to dearest Mika! And thank you for the mention xxx
Well said, Jay. Even in grief. You wrote a while back about some of your medical challenges. Isn't it always the case that as we move through the grief of having to give up some version of ourselves, we do indeed find some new one waiting in the wings?
That's a great line! Might steal it!
I shall and thanks!