I usually wait until mid to late January before posting my reading plans or goals. Mainly because I'm very optimistic about my superhuman capabilities during the start of a new year but much of that enthusiasm fades over the next couple of weeks. I tend to believe I can read more than ever but reality is usually closer to how much I averaged in previous years. So, to allow myself the opportunity to dream big and then plan well, I take the ambitious goals for a road test during the first couple of weeks of the year. If they still look achievable, great! If not, I will part ways with those that are a stretch. The numbers I have an arbitrary number set in Goodreads for this year but it's not a number I will quote as I tend to change it often and it is intended to factor in the many picture books I read with my kids. But that said, there are three numbers I would like to improve this year (last year's stats in parentheses) - total number of pages read (approx. 11k), average n
One year ago, this day, the husband and I walked nervously into the local Humane Society to get a dog. Before that, we spent a few minutes in the car asking each other if this is it, if we were really sure. Neither was willing to decide either way so we just drove to the shelter. After all, who knew if we'd even like one. Our plan was to get a big dog, like a lab or a retriever. That is, until we saw one of them jump so high that I suddenly started worrying for my table-high possessions and the TV. Besides, we were still living in an apartment then and had no plan to upscale our living. (As an aside, so much has changed in a year!) That's when we met Rue. She was napping in a corner while her relatively more boisterous (a word that's forever part of our life now) 3-month old companion came to greet us. We liked her and that's how this clueless couple ended up with a dog that's naughty, crazy, Marley-ish, cute (especially when she turns those eyes on you), photogenic, spoilt, super duper boisterous but very adorable.
Although her real birthday is in July (she'll turn three this year), we will probably celebrate May 5th itself. This morning, my dad made her a birthday cap that we struggled to put on her. We managed to snap a photo before she thrashed it off her head.
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| Rue can't wait to get that bugging thing off her head. |
I had baked a carrot-peanut butter cake for her, which my mom helped carve into a shape as close to a bone as possible, and then topped it with peanut butter.
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| Rue's cake. (The humans "helped" finish it even though they complained that it wasn't sweet enough) |
A few photo moments ensued. Clearly, the humans in the house were more excited and enthusiastic than the dog. who was very confused as to what was happening and why we were punishing her with a silly dunce cap. Thankfully, all those worries vanished after she got a whip of the peanut butter.
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| Yummy, .. wagging tail .. ohmydogliness, ... tongue stuck .. this is ... tongue stuck .. awesome. ... tongue stuck .. More! ... tongue stuck .. .. wagging tail .. |
We gave her a squeaky duck (which, at this moment, lies in the bedroom in defeated tatters) and a tug rope (which is on its way to joining the duck). Right now, she is one contented dog. Happy "Birthday" Rue!
Comments
Pets can really much such a difference to quality of life :)
Aren't you glad you took the chance??