A week of change

After our busy long weekend away for Memorial Day, we got right back into the thick of life when we returned. 

Bumble returned from his weekend get away Tuesday, and I had a busy day at work.  When the end of the day arrived, I was feeling exhausted.  While I knew the dogs needed to burn some energy,  I wasn't up for a long walk.  So instead, we spent some time outside in the backyard. 

Wednesday was just another busy day filled with way too much to do at work.  There are lots of changes headed my way (that will be a story for a different day), we're down a team member still, and I was preparing to be the backup for a coworker who was heading out on vacation for a week.  If only there were two of me!

So over my lunch, I went and sat outside with the dogs.  I needed the freah air and to watch them enjoy the day.

Then, after work, I headed out to the shelter for our final Wednesday night dog walk.  Sadly, the shelter leadership made the decision recently to limit when dogs can leave the shelter to their normal business hours only, so our after hours little club can no longer meet.  

It was an emotional evening for me because for most of it's existence, I have been a part of this awesome group.  It is the way I started my volunteer work at the shelter, how I became a foster, and how animal rescue became such a big part of my life and who I am.  

As one of the leaders of the club early on and then the sole leader since Covid, the Dog Walking Club was my baby and such a big part of my life for almost 15 years.  I am proud of everything we did over the years to help make life better for thousands of dogs while they waited for a family of their own.  

I loved spending one on one time with the dogs as I harnessed them, giving them extra love as I took their pictures, and tucking them into their kennels for the night with a little extra love and a couple of treats.  Those moments alone with the dogs are some of my favorite memories.

I have also made so many friends, some who now live across the state, the country, and the globe. People I can't imagine not having in my life.  Who knew that little decision to walk a shelter dog on Wednesday nights would have had such a big impact on my life.  I am so glad it was there for me.

So now, for those of us who work full-time jobs and have other responsibilities outside of work, there are limited opportunities to volunteer at the shelter, and that is a such a big loss.  And while I'm sad for myself, I am most sad for the dogs because they are the ones who really lose out in this decision.  

We had a really nice final walk with some very njce dogs.  After we put the final dog safely back in her kennel, the final group of walkers headed to City Limits for dinner and a little celebration of all we had accomplished.  It was nice to sit down and spend some time with them all.  I will miss our regular time together.  

On Thursday, Bumble was featured as the Empire Motors Pet of the Week, so I took an early lunch to take him over for his special Facebook session with Span from Q106. He did great and was a big hit with Span and the employees at Empire.  Then it was back home for another long, busy day of work.

I ended up working late, then had a call afterward.  When I was done, I decided to take the dogs for a trip to the South Lansing Farmer's Market.   I hadn't paid attention to the time, but we didn't get there until almost 6:40, with only 20 minutes left in the market. 

They stopped for their treat at Fur Real Dog Snacks, and I got some egg rolls to snack on as we walked around.  Then we heaed in for a quick walk around Feeder's because Peaches always demands we go inside.  And then we were in the car heading home.

It was a nice night, so we spent some time outside.  Mina and Bumble played some games of chase with a frisbee, Peaches wandered around sniffing, and i did a little weeding before sitting down to enjoy a few moments of quiet.

Friday started with a trip to the vet for Peaches' monthly appointment for her arthritis management.   She had a good appointment, took her shot well, and was very happy to get out of there quickly.

I spent the rest of the day busy at work again.  I sure can't wait until things start to get back to normal again, but I think it's still going to be a bit before that happens.

The best part of my Friday was a puppy transport for ISR after work.  A little gsp family of mom and 10 puppies was recently found in an abandoned house in the Thumb and brought in to the local shelter.   

Luckily this past week the rescue was able to get five of the puppies out of the shelter and into foster homes, and I was lucky enough to help transport two of them, brother and sister, from Flint back to the Lansing area where I met with their foster who drove up from indiana.   The were good little passengers and I was rewarded with some puppy snuggles before they continued their journey south.

The remaining 5 puppies and their mom will make their way into rescue later this week.  So happy we were able to help make life better for these puppies and especially for their mom.  Rescue work can be hard, but also so rewarding, and this happy new beginning was the perfect way to end my work week.

On Saturday morning, I made the drive to the shelter for one final Saturday morning walk with a dog.  While I hadn't originally planned on a Saturday morning walk, I had to go to the shelter for a refill on Bumble's food, so I figured it just made sense to go early and walk a dog while I still could.  I was happy to be able to get out with Sea Salt Sally, a young girl with a fun amount of energy.

We had a really nice walk, and she happily went back into her kennel for breakfast when we returned.  She was the perfect dog to end my Dog Walking Club era.  And even better, she was adopted later in the day!

On the way home from the shelter, I ran a few errands and stopped for groceries.  When I got home, I fed the dogs lunch while I put things away and made a little lunch for myself.  Then we headed outside to get some work done in the yard.  With the lawn mowed, trimming done, and a few more weeds pulled, I decided it was time for a break.  Bumble agreed!

I rewarded the dogs for being so good this week by taking them on a trip to Preuss Pets to celebrate Hoover the Catfish's birthday. 

They walked around, got lots of love and some treats, and enjoyed the fun hustle and bustle of activity at this fun special event.

We followed up our vist with a nice walk around Old Town.  It was a beautiful late afternoon for a walk.

When we returned to the car, we made another quick stop in at Preuss for some live music and a little informational session on catfish.  The dogs all loved watching the fish in the pond.

Finally we headed home for the evening.  I didn't get much more done that night,  but we did spend some more time outside after dinner.  Then we settled in for a quiet, relaxing night.

We had a slow start to our Sunday morning. Mina and Peacges have spent some time outside,  and then Mina came in to pathetically watch Bumble chew on an antler.  After lots of chewing time, a trip outside for some zoomies, and a little more playtime inside, Bumble has settled in for a late morning nap next to me, while Peaches and Mina  are currently outside lounging in the sun.

I'm now off to do a little cleaning and then I'll be heading outside to continue my work in the yard today.  Hopefully I'll have a successful day and get lots done.