Slowing down to savor the Summer

It's been a pretty quiet week around here this week

Things seem to be slowing down a bit and we're finding time to relax.  It is a nice change of pace from what life has been for the past several months.

With Bumble leaving us last weekend, the house has seemed much quieter, not because he made a lot of noise, but because he and Mina were always having fun together.  I can't believe it, but I think I actually miss their wrestling matches.

Without him here to play with her, Mina was a little lost for a few days.  She tried valiantly to get Peaches to play with her, and when that didn't work out, she spent a lot of time yelling at me in her high-pitched bark.  But eventually as the week went on, she settled back into her pre-Bumble daily work from home routine.

To keep all of us happy this week, we made sure to get out for our regular walks.  These are just some of the summer wildflowers we saw along the way.

Without Bumble here, I've also been able to focus more of my attention on Peaches.  I feel bad for her some days because her hearing and eyesight continue to deteriorate, and I honestly believe that is what is causing her anxiety issues.

She is also dealing with other old lady issues, but she still loves her daily walks and really is happiest when she's out on a walk with me.  I've also found that the more we move, the less she has issues with her hips.  So we're going to keep moving as often as we can.

In addition to our standard walks around our neighborhood, we've continued to do some walks around random neighborhoods that we happen to be driving by, as well as some fun visits to other destinations like parks and natural areas. 

Most of our walks this week have been in the evenings after work and dinner, so we've stayed closer to home.  I had the added bonus of working the election this week which included Monday evening set-up and the Tuesday afternoon shift.  Working the election limited our ability to get in much of a walk that day, but I made sure to take the girls out for a short walk before I left and after I got home. 

When Wednesday arrived, we were all ready to stretch our legs, and I was excited to visit Frances Park that evening where the Lansing Symphony Orchestra was preforming for free as part of the Concerts in the Park series.  Unfortunately, not quite 45 minutes into the concert, they had to stop due to a thunderstorm moving into the area.  At least we had a short walk and enjoyed some music before that happened. 

We made our normal visit to the South Lansing Farmer's Market on Thursday and made a loop around the neighborhood as well. And before we could leave, Peaches insisted on a walk around Feeder's Pet Store. 

We also enjoyed a nice walk around the Capitol grounds and downtown before heading home for the night. 

While work was still crazy this week, I can see things slowly getting easier.  I didn't have any late work nights just trying to keep up, and most days I was able to walk away from my laptop feeling good about what I had accomplished for that day.  I was happy to be able to leave the workday behind and enjoy my evenings with the girls.

On Friday, I decided we'd earned a little extra fun, so we headed to Harris Nature Center for our evening walk.  We don't visit there often, so the girls were extra excited to be out exploring.   It was hot and humid, so we kept our walk to just about a mile, and we all had a great time.

Then we stopped at Vanessa's to pick up some garden goodies she had for me and some meat she had for Peaches.  I love watching how excited Mina gets as we drive toward Vanessa's neighborhood and she realizes where we are going.  She gets so excited and it's really kind of adorable. 

Our stop led to a quick, fun little geocaching outing with Vanessa.  I was also able to get the girls out for another short walk in Vanessa's neighborhood before we headed home which got us our third walk of the day and just over 2 1/2 miles total.  That's pretty good for Peaches on an 85 degree day.

Before we headed home, Mina also got to meet Vanessa's adorable new kitten.  Both of them were very good girls and had a successful first meeting. I was very proud of my Mina.

I've also made time several nights this week to sit outside after sunset to listen to the Cicadas and other sounds of summer nights while watching the the lightning bugs and staring up at the stars.  We've officially passed the mid-point of Summer, and Fall will be here before we know it.  The lightning bug numbers are slowly decreasing every night and the darkness is setting in obviously earlier than it had been as we slowly head into mid-August.  It's a reminder of just how fleeting Summer is and how quickly life can pass us by.  

As I spend time outside enjoying the evenings with the girls, I'm also reminded that there is a good chance it is my final Summer with Peaches.  I guess I can't know that for certain, but I know all too well the sadness that Fall generally holds for me when we are in this season of life.  So I'm going to hold on to summer a little harder this year.

Tonight as I write, I'm lying in bed squished between the girls-one nearing the finish line of her marathon of life, the other just a short distance in to hers-and I'm filled with emotions.  I feel so blessed and thankful for them both and for the fact that I've gotten so much more time than I ever expected to have with Peaches.  I look forward to every day we have left, all the adventures we will take, and the memories we will make. 

Thank you for taking the journey with us.

A family for Bumble

It's been another busy week here.  I have lots to do every day, but the hardest thing about work this week was the random, frustrating problems that popped up along the way that required time and energy I could have put into things I actually needed to get done.  But it's best to move on from those things and not let them take any more of my time.  I just hope next week is better.

We have gotten into a good routine now for the Summer.  When the mornings aren't too hot, the dogs spend lots of time outside playing, sniffing, and lounging while I keep an eye on them as I work from my dining room table.  We take mid-day walks, and they all know the meal time routines.  Then there are rounds of play and afternoon naps and after dinner walks.  It's a pretty good routine. 

On Monday, I had time for a lovely lunchtime walk.  It was warm, but I know we were all happy to be outside.

We even made a quick stop at this historical marker just down the road from us.  I had no idea the historical significance of this church that I've driven by countless times in the last 23 years.  

After our walk, we all had lunch, and I hoped for a little peace and quiet.   I didn't get it though.  Mina and Bumble were more happy to continue their daily shenanigans with more wrestling throughout the day while I worked.   Eventually they napped, but it wasn't long before Mina was pestering Bumble to play again.  They sure did have fun!

Tuesday was the first Farmer's Market at the Capitol of the year, and I was determined to take an early lunch so we could get there before the lunchtime crowds.  Work did not cooperate.  We did arrive before noon, but not by much.

As soon as we arrived, I made a bee-line for Petey's Donuts because the line was not too long.  In no time I had my cider slush and donuts for me and the dogs.

We all enjoyed our treat before continuing to explore the market.  Then after a nice walk around, we headed back to the car.

We ran into this giant Michigan mascot along the way.  The dogs weren't sure what to think.

Then, after work, we headed to Old Town for a visit to Preuss and a walk around town.  We had a really nice walk, probably one of the best since bringing Bumble home.

During their Wednesday morning outdoor time, the dogs discovered something in the wood pile behind the house that kept them occupied for quite awhile.  I love to see the excitement Peaches has over discovering a critter and watching her stand here with her nose pressed into a hole made me smile.  She may be slowing down, but the hunting drive of this old bird dog hasn't diminished at all.  

After an exhausting day at work, I decided it would be nice to enjoy one of the Lansing Parks and Recreation departments Concerts in the Park.

This week the concert was at the newly renovated Fish Ladder Park in Old Town.  It was extra nice because we were able to enjoy the music as we walked along the River Trail.  So we got in a nice walk and enjoyed some fun music along the way.

We stopped a few times just to enjoy the show too.  I was proud of how well everyone did with the music and crowd.  It was a good night.

Thursday we headed to campus for our evening walk.  Peaches was happy to find a nice spot of grass for a good roll around.  She's so goofy!

We spent our evening around South Campus which is an area we don't visit often.  It was so peaceful with no students and we had a really great walk.  

Friday arrived and we had some fun plans for the day.  Mina and Bumble decided to start the morning with a wrestling match and then settled in for a nap.  Mid-morning Bumble got a trip to a sniffspot with one of the shelter staff who was going to put together some social media content to highlight what a good boy he is.

While he was gone, I worked while the girls napped.  When he got home, he was ready for some more wrestling with Mina, and Peaches joined in on the fun by barking at them.  Then, out of the blue, I got a call from the shelter telling me a family was there to meet Bumble.   

Since I hadn't taken my lunch yet, I told them I'd head that way.  I think I was in shock as I hung up the phone and stood up to get ready to go.  There were lots of emotions, and some tears, as I walked around trying to gather everything I wanted to send off with him to a new home.  And then I realized we hadn't had a chance for his ice cream party, so I grabbed a Frost Paws out of the freezer and gave it to him to enjoy in the car as I drove him to the shelter. 

We arrived at the shelter to a family of eight, two parents and six girls.  He was a little overwhelmed,  but they took it slow and gave him time to feel more comfortable.   It was decided they'd come back on Saturday without the girls for another meeting. I think I was still in shock when we left the shelter.

On the way home, we stopped at Preuss for a visit to their Doggy Ice Cream Social.  I had planned on taking each of the dogs individually for a little one on one fun and I figured this was the best time to take Bumble.  It was a quick visit and then we were back in the car heading home with his ice cream.

The rest of my afternoon was busy trying to finish up several to dos at work.  I finally stopped working for the day so I could get the girls to the Ice Cream Social too.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to take them individually, but they were so good and enjoyed the outing.

I was so happy that our trips to the ice cream social allowed us the opportunity to give Bumble a proper ice cream party.   It was the best way to end our Friday evening after a very long week.

We went to bed early on Friday so I could get in some extra snuggles knowing there was a good chance it would be his last night with us.  We also enjoyed a slow, quiet Saturday morning snuggling.  It's my way of mentally preparing to say goodbye.

Before I knew it, it was time to head to the shelter for his meeting.  I had a nice chat with this lovely couple and I am so happy that they decided to make him part of their family.  He is going to be very loved.  Just look at him with his new doggy brothers.

It is always bittersweet saying goodbye to a foster, but even more so when it's a dog like Bumble.  I think back to meeting him the first time at the shelter as I was harnessing him for dog walking club, then watching him struggle in the shelter environment, and seeing the plea for a foster.  

I had so much going on and no time for a foster, really.  But thanks to a couple of other volunteers' willingness to help me out when I needed a safe spot for him to go, I was able to make that commitment to foster him.  I know if I hadn't stepped up, he wouldn't have made it out of the shelter.  He would have become just another number on a page.

When I brought him home, he was anxious and unsure if he could trust people.  He didn't know how to play with other dogs.  He lacked confidence.  He needed routine, security, love, and patience.  He just needed someone to give him a chance.  And with the help of my girls, his confidence grew,  he began to trust people, and he learned to be a dog.  And in the time he was here, I discovered what a good foster sibling Mina can be.  

Now he has a new family to continue that work.

After 85 days in my care, I feel confident that he has found a family to love him for the rest of his days.  There isn't really any better feeling than knowing you helped save a life and made a family complete.   That's why a foster.

We'll now be taking a break from fostering for a bit so I can concentrate on Peaches who deserves all the attention and love I can give her in the winter of her life.  

Work, walk, sleep, repeat

I started this week off with a plan.  While I didn't fully stick to the plan, I think I came close.  I needed a way to keep the dogs happy during the day while I worked, and I also needed to find a way to force myself to take breaks to keep my energy up throughout the very busy days I knew I'd have this week.  I was determined to break our walks up throughout the days to help accomplish both things.

On Monday, when I had a work call get cancelled, it gave me the chance to get out for an early lunch.  I took advantage of the opportunity to take the dogs down the road for one of our random neighborhood walks.  

Since it was a spot we've not walked before, they were distracted by all the new smells so we only finished three-quarters of a mile in the 20 minutes we had for our walk.

Despite the shorter length of the walk, everyone was really happy when we headed back home to have lunch before my next call.  

After a very busy Monday at work, I wanted to take the dogs somewhere fun for our evening walk.  

We headed to the Lewis Landscape Arboretum and Horticulture Gardens on campus.

We thoroughly enjoyed our lovely walk on campus, although the dogs were a little extra crazy.

I always enjoy walking there and the dogs seemed to love it too.

After our walk, we headed back home for dinner.

After dinner and a little rest, the dogs were all restless, so we took another quick walk around the block.  Then we headed outside to enjoy the beautiful summer evening.

Tuesday started with a dentist appointment.  I left the dogs with frozen Kongs to keep them busy while I was gone.  Then I had a long, exhausting day of work while keeping the dogs busy with some brain games and collagen chews.   Of course Bumble and Mina also had a busy day of wrestling.

It was such an exhausting day that I decided to pick up take-out for dinner using a gift card I have.  I fed the dogs dinner when we got home and  then sat down to eat my own dinner.  After dinner, Peaches was happy to find part of a collagen chew that Mina and Bumble had left behind and settled in to spend some time enjoying her special find.

We all relaxed for a bit after dinner, and then it was finally time to get out for a nice long walk atound the neighborhood. 

We enjoyed another nice evening outside after we got back from our walk.  It was a such a beautiful evening. 

Wednesday morning, we got out for our random neighborhood walk to start our day because i knew my day was going to be busy again.

While it was a busy work day, it was an exciting day because it was day one with my new boss.  Having David come back to the team as my boss was definitely a best-case scenario for me and I am so happy he made the decision to come back to our territory team.  We've got lots of work to do to get him fully up and running in his new role, but I'm happy to do the work to help him and our team succeed. 

The day went quickly, and I was happy that I was able to get the dogs out for a afternoon walk around the neighborhood after a late lunch.  Then we took another quick walk at the end of my work day.  Then I fed them lunch, grabbed a quick dinner for myself, and headed out for a three hour training for my upcoming election day work.  The dogs were settled in with a Kong when I left and Bumble was extremely excited to greet me when I got home.  

I sat outside with the dogs for about 20 minutes after I got home just to relax and enjoy watching the lightning bugs. 

Thursday morning started with a doctor's appointment.  The temperatures this week have been mild, and the temperatures overnight were cool, so I decided the dogs could ride along for the drive to my appointment.  Then after my short appointment we were able to get in a morning walk in the neighborhood by the doctor's office.   That was a really nice change of pace for all of us.

When I needed a mental break mid-afternoon, we took a 10 minute walk around the block and I came back feeling refreshed.  After work, we made a stop at the South Lansing Farmer's Market, took a walk around Feeder's Pet store, and then walked around the neighborhood there. Then we ran a few errands before heading home.  

Despite all of the walking, there were multiple wrestling matches throughout the day.  When I decided that I wanted some peace and quiet, we all headed outside to enjoy the beautiful summer evening again.  

Finally Friday arrived, and I just didn't have the energy to get out for a morning walk.  Thankfully, the dogs were well-behaved most of the day while I worked, and I had a productive day.

When my day was finally done, I had to drive to the shelter to pick up some supplies for Bumble.  I decided to bring the dogs along and take our evening walk around Mason.

We took a slow, leisurely walk around downtown Mason for our first mile.  Then we drove down the street to get in another 1.5 miles along the Hayhoe Trail.

It was a really nice walk to start our weekend.  Honestly, it was exactly what I needed that night.

We were up early on Saturday with a full day of fun planned.

We met up with Vanessa and made the drive to Wauseon Ohio to Midwest Geobash 2026, a big annual geocaching event.

I was so excited to be out for some fun.  It was something I really needed.  I knew the dogs would be happy with the adventure too.

We got in some good walks, met up with some other Lansing area goecachers, had some yummy food from a food truck for lunch, and found lots of fun geocaches. 

I was really proud of how well all of the pups did.  Bumble loved all of the people and wanted to meet all of the dogs, Peaches was a trooper on our long walk through the woods, and Mina proved what an all around good girl she is, always.

We all came home dirty, hot, happy, and tired.. I'd call that a successful day! It was an excellent day for all of us, and the drive home was a quiet one.

After feeling like all my days consisted of was work and walking dogs this week, our Saturday adventure followed by a lazy Sunday at home have really helped.  I am hoping to start the new week relaxed and refreshed.

While we didn't take any walks today, the dogs kept themselves entertained with toys and chews, plus there was much rough-housing fun.  We did.take a drive so I could fill up the gas tank, but mostly we have been lazy, and that's okay.  We all need days with no to-dos and no agenda.  It was the perfect end to another busy week.