Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Tuesday, March 7, 2017 --- Mattie died 390 weeks ago today.

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2007. Mattie was five years old. Peter and I took Mattie to Luray Caverns in Virginia. We had a feeling Mattie would love that adventure, and of course we were right. Mattie gravitated to nature, wanted to always understand how things worked and had a natural curiosity! I'm glad we did so much with him with so little time. 


Quote of the day: How can a person deal with anxiety? You might try what one fellow did. He worried so much that he decided to hire someone to do his worrying for him. He found a man who agreed to be his hired worrier for a salary of $200,000 per year. After the man accepted the job, his first question to his boss was, "Where are you going to get $200,000 per year?" To which the man responded, "That's your worry. ~ Max Lucado


To all my fellow worriers, I think you will appreciate tonight's quote! If we can't laugh over our worries, then alternative isn't pretty! In a few weeks, Peter and I will be leaving town to acknowledge Mattie's birthday. We go away each year. Why? Well maybe not for the reasons you may think. I have found as the years pass by, people forget about Mattie and in addition to that they forget his birthday, and what an important date this still is for us. I am not blaming others, I am just stating the reality. Though I have learned that sometimes my blog is perceived as hurtful. I suppose if I am hurting you as the reader, then try to imagine the magnitude of my own feelings. I use the blog to process my thoughts and feelings, because without that, there aren't too many healthy outlets for bereaved parents to turn to. Ultimately my goal isn't to make others feel bad, but instead it is my hope that my words allow you a glimpse into how a bereaved mom maybe feeling long term. 

In any case, since we will be going away soon, I need a place I can bring Sunny to that is safe and I don't have to worry about him. There's that word.... worry. Something I have perfected over the years. Finding the right match for Sunny is challenging. Sunny is very emotional and human focused. He requires a lot of attention and when he doesn't get it, you can see his sadness and anxiety. Today I brought him to doggy daycare and boarding facility in Alexandria, VA. My goal is to give Sunny a few days of daycare to start to get used to the facility before boarding. 

What I love about the facility is it is very clean, everyone who works there is friendly and loves animals, and they also have various playrooms for your dog based on his personality. 

Notice that each playroom has a webcam, so I can watch Sunny from my computer or iphone! Which I LOVE! Notice where Sunny is here.... practically sitting on the staff member.

Later in the afternoon, the general manager went in to check on the dogs and look who is right by her side. He followed her around the room. 

When I picked up Sunny, they handed me this progress photo for the day! Absolutely adorable no? Sunny made friends with the leaders of the pack but was shy and in my opinion anxious all day. He parked himself by the door of the room for a good portion of the day. They tell me this is normal. They gave me the analogy of a new kid at school who enters school mid-year. Many of these dogs know each other already. However, humans and dogs are quite different and while we get hung up on these deep fears and worries, dogs are not necessarily that way. It is my hope with a few more sessions, Sunny moves away from the door and gets acclimated. Sunny was placed in the most sedate and calm room today. They have three other rooms that vary in energy levels.