Friday's Letters

And now for some letters......
 Dear Old Navy You really need to stop having cute clothes and scarves. Seriously I'm not made of money, money doesn't grow on trees, and I DO NOT need any more scarves, but it sure is cute. (I'm up too 48 now btw)
Dear Mother Nature could we make up our minds about the weather? If its going to be 70 well lets STAY 70.WITH SUNSHINE. None of this rainy, tornado junk mmk? Thank you ma'am! Dear Dad (human variety) Soo you remember that one time you told me you had the part to fix my washing machine, and was a really easy fix? Anytime you want to come over is fine with me! I may even scrounge up some cookies! (Store bought of course!) Dear Difficult Customers, have you ever stopped to think how YOU would feel if you just got yelled at like you yelled at me? Luckily I'm tough (a) and (b) I really don't care. Dear Other Difficult Customer I like how you tried to sneak out with only paying part of your bill, while the whole time you had enough money. #don'tmesswiththisgirl Dear NFL, so we're not friends, just fyi, I'm a college football kinda girl through  and through, HOWEVER since football is my sport of choice I feel obligated to at least root for a team. And so I chose: *drum roll please*

THE FORTY NINERS!!! Mainly because of this dumb commercial. It made me laugh. So... there you have it.


"Settlers CHURN BUTTER!"

Its dumb.

Peace out y'all.

Remember that one time..?

1.) Share a story about a stray you took in or an animal you once rescued.

This is a story about a dog named Zipper. Zipper is the one and only dog I have fostered, well the only dog I've fostered to be someone's pet. My regular readers know I spend 99.9% of my time raising guide dogs for the blind.  

Anyway, Zipper was not planned. I already had a puppy in training and saw no reason to add to my school, work, train and socialize puppy load. But my neighbors had other plans. 

It was around 10:00pm on Monday evening, when I heard a knock on my front door. This was strange because the back door of my house, faces the street/driveway, so most people come to that door, not to mention most people knocking on the door at that time of night, were people I knew, so after corralling my vicious watch dog (read: Miniature Dachshund) 

I opened the door with my Lab/Golden mix in tow. I was surprised to see my scruffy neighbor and his granddaughter on my porch, holding a very nervous chihuahua mix. Over the next few minutes I got the story. Apparently the girls father didn't want her to have a dog, and was threatening to kill it if they didn't get rid of it that.night. After trying to give them some options they could  try, I realized they didn't want to leave my house with the dog in tow. I, of course, being the only logical person to take her. 

I was admittedly between a rock and hard place, I didn't want to bring some un-known dog into my house,  but I didn't want her to die either. She was a little thing, I reasoned, so what could it hurt? I would contact some rescue groups, and have her gone by the end of the week.  Simple. So I agreed to find the dog a home.

Worst. Decision. Of Life. 

It was worth it just to see the look on my roommates face when I told her I'd gotten her a new dog. (My roommate isn't a dog lover, she tolerated my dogs) Horrified barely describes it. 

Needless to say, I couldn't find a rescue group that would take her off my hands.."We usually have our people foster dogs they find.."  I didn't want to do the shelter route, as I knew that would prohibit me from adopting there in the future. So we wound up fostering her.

The next three months of my life were pure torture. 

Zipper had no obedience training

Zipper had no potty training

Zipper had no leash skills 

Zipper had no crate training

Zipper had no boundries (no fence too high or too low could stop her) 

Zipper had dog-to-dog issues 

The first four items on that list, weren't bad at all, in fact the marjoirty of the dogs I get, have none of these skillz. Zipper was a quick study when it came to clicker training, she accepted crating easily and learned some leash skills.  However the straw that broke the camel's back was the last two items. She could get over/under any obstacle, and was fast about it. She also was very aggressive towards my dogs. Which meant  she had to stay separated from my dogs, 80% of the time. That. was tough my friends.

The week before Zips found her forever home, I called the rescue and told them a couple of things. First I was not placing this dog with a family that had multiple dogs (we had a potential family who wanted her but they had three other dogs) and that she was going to need to leave my house ASAP. My dogs couldn't take it any more. She attacked on of my sleeping dachshunds, and was getting into fights with my other female at least several times a day (before I placed her on mandatory separation)  My roommate was almost living at her parents house and I was going crazy.

Thankfully within a week of that ultimatum being issued, a lovely young lady contacted me, that fit the bill perfectly. I explained to her all of Zipper's issues, and she was very positive about working with her on them. 

It was love at first sight (for her and Zipper) and they rode off happily into the sunset. 

Zipper gets to go to work with her new Momma, has added a Daddy and brother and is living the good life. 

Will I foster again? 

Probably. 

But I WILL.NEVER. Take in a dog like that again. 

The End.

Some things.. YODO (You only do once..) :) 

Ten on Tuesday

Finals are upon us, and yess I should be studying.. or at least finishing this quiz that I have until.. tonight to complete, but.. well YOU KNOW.

1. What are 3 things that are on your Christmas wishlist? 
I've been too caught up in finals to really think about Christmas, and what *I* want, but upon hearing that my family decided the parents would just get "everyone" aka everyone who lives at their house, a ping-pong table, I've decided that too come up with somethings (that are exorbitantly LESS than a ping-pong table). *ahem*

Piano (Keyboard or otherwise) - Go GaGa Messenger Bag - Money - iPad. Oh that's four. 

2. What's your favorite Christmas song? 
Ava Maria

3. Do you have a favorite band or singer that sings it especially awesome?
Celtic Woman

4. Have you heard about the website GoodReads?
Yess I love that site, and use it to track the books I've read and to get the scoop on other books before I buy. I also use to review books for publishers etc..

5. What are 3 books you want to read? 
Three books I would like to read, would be anyone from the stack of 14-15 I picked up from the library last week. Honestly WHEN do I think I'll have time to read them during finals week?

6. Do I hunt deer?
Random. But No.

7. Have I started Christmas shopping? Are you completely finished?
Nope and Nope.

8. Did you shop on Black Friday? What was the best deal you got?
I didn't shop on Black Friday, we did go out to Wal-Mart Thursday night to pick up a few items.. like glue and what not (we were out of town) it was insanity. There is no deal good enough to put myself through that. However I might take one of my guide dog puppies one year, think of all the great exposure that would be!

9. What's one holiday tradition your family has?
My family isn't real big on holiday traditions, I wish we were but we aren't, so yeah!

10. How many blogs do you read? DO you subscribe/unsubscribe often or do you purge every once in a while?  I have 437 subscriptions in my Google Reader. THAT my friend is insanity, but I keep finding cool, new blogs to read and I can't make myself stop. However I do have everything organized by topic, so I know which ones I read more often ... I have gone through and purged a lot but I still can't get it to a reasonable number. Oh well.

You can link up to Ten on Tuesday here!

Ten on Tuesday

Finals are upon us, and yess I should be studying.. or at least finishing this quiz that I have until.. tonight to complete, but.. well YOU KNOW.

1. What are 3 things that are on your Christmas wishlist? 
I've been too caught up in finals to really think about Christmas, and what *I* want, but upon hearing that my family decided the parents would just get "everyone" aka everyone who lives at their house, a ping-pong table, I've decided that too come up with somethings (that are exorbitantly LESS than a ping-pong table). *ahem*

Piano (Keyboard or otherwise) - Go GaGa Messenger Bag - Money - iPad. Oh that's four. 

2. What's your favorite Christmas song? 
Ava Maria

3. Do you have a favorite band or singer that sings it especially awesome?
Celtic Woman

4. Have you heard about the website GoodReads?
Yess I love that site, and use it to track the books I've read and to get the scoop on other books before I buy. I also use to review books for publishers etc..

5. What are 3 books you want to read? 
Three books I would like to read, would be anyone from the stack of 14-15 I picked up from the library last week. Honestly WHEN do I think I'll have time to read them during finals week?

6. Do I hunt deer?
Random. But No.

7. Have I started Christmas shopping? Are you completely finished?
Nope and Nope.

8. Did you shop on Black Friday? What was the best deal you got?
I didn't shop on Black Friday, we did go out to Wal-Mart Thursday night to pick up a few items.. like glue and what not (we were out of town) it was insanity. There is no deal good enough to put myself through that. However I might take one of my guide dog puppies one year, think of all the great exposure that would be!

9. What's one holiday tradition your family has?
My family isn't real big on holiday traditions, I wish we were but we aren't, so yeah!

10. How many blogs do you read? DO you subscribe/unsubscribe often or do you purge every once in a while?  I have 437 subscriptions in my Google Reader. THAT my friend is insanity, but I keep finding cool, new blogs to read and I can't make myself stop. However I do have everything organized by topic, so I know which ones I read more often ... I have gone through and purged a lot but I still can't get it to a reasonable number. Oh well.

You can link up to Ten on Tuesday here!

Ten On Tuesday

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)
 Mac all the way Baby! 

2. What drew you to that operating system?
I started using Macs in one of my Computer Art classes, then my grandmother purchased one for my high school graduation, so I've been a mac every since. :) Not to mention, ease of use, lack of virus's...etc..etc.. 

3. Mice – Wireless or Wired? Mouse pad or none?
I don't care honestly, and if the mouse will function without a pad than I don't have one.. other wise..well yes 

4. Other than the Internet – What do you use your computer most for?
.....

There's another use for the computer beside the internet? Who knew. No I use it a lot of photo editing, digital scrap-booking, playing Age of the Empires, Spider Solitaire, .... (grins) 

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)
Being more proficient in HTML and CSS would definitely be high on my list. I started a degree in Web Design, switched to Photography and am wishing I'd stuck with the former longer..

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.
The.first.time. i...wow I honestly don't remember, I was like maybe 7-8? I ono.. :) 

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?
As often as I can get a free version. I've just now upgraded my Mac from Tiger to Snow Leopard, because a co-worker got it too me for free. Lemme tell you I wish I'd stuck with Tiger at this point. Why didn't anyone tell me SL was sooooo buggy!? I hate it! Waaaaah! 

8. Are you a short-cutter (CTRL+C) or a right-clicker?
Short cuts all the way! I hate moving my hands back and forth between the keyboard and mouse (can we say lazy much?) so I'm all about my Command + <insert whatever>. 

9. Is computer-use a constant thing in your life (such as using it both at work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?
Up until recently, I pretty much lived on my computer, hours on at work, hours on a home, but I've realized there is more to life than my online-life (or lack thereof) so pretty much do everything I need to at work, and only play games at home. 

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist?
We'd all be bored out of our minds.

My Simple Things

The Simple Things
This was one of those weeks,where finding the little things, that made me happy is a little difficult. Life is changing, for many in my inner circle, my roommate is getting married and moving away. My parents are moving away.. Loosing my free internet..(I know how selfish of me) I just left another job...Things that aren't really super stressful (well besides the wedding) but very emotion ridden.I don't want to even TRY To be happy.. but I can still be thankful..
I appreciate...
♥ Having at least one window air conditioner♥ Being able to have had 1 year with my roommate ♥ Knowing that she has a great guy to take care of her♥ Having my own car (Still can't believe its all mine!) ♥ Earning an extra $100 this week...♥ Sunshine ♥ Caffeine ♥ Doughnuts  
What do you appreciate? Be sure to link up with Jessyln Amber!

Getting to know you..I mean Me...

1. what's something you've eaten and liked, but didn't think you would?
Calamari? I don't know if LIKE would be a good word for it.... was interesting though.
2. plastic surgery..yay or nay?
Can you ADD fat with plastic surgry? Even still I'm not about to let some human try and make "better" something God has made. :)
3. 2 things you love about spring are.....?
Sunshine and... Sunshine! I could do without the rain, bugs, and whacky temps though.
4. when's the last time you went on a picnic?
In September? I'm sorry, its been winter so picnicking in the snow hasn't been overly appealing. :)
5. what's your favorite app?
Um.... GoSMSPro, Plume, Mint, Woman's Day, Alarm Clock Plus
6. who does the grocery shopping in your house?
Well my roommate and I shop for ourselves, so I guess you could say both of us.
7. would you rather take a spin class or zumba?
Zumba
8. how often do you go out to dinner?
According to my budget too often.

Miscellany Monday #22111

{1} Meet my newest baby
Unless you've been in a hole or just really don't care about me and my life at all *sniffs* you've probably heard/seen photos of Rob. But just in case you didn't, here are a few. He's been a typical puppy, getting into EVERYTHING and despising being left alone. But other than that he's been a good boy, I even took him with me to baby-sit for a friend of mine. That was... an adventure... But between him and Bubbles I'm not getting much sleep. Going to bed between around 12AM (around meaning between the hours of 12am and 3am) getting up between 3-5AM and then getting up for work around 7AM is not. Cool. I literally want to cry right now just from sheer exhaustion.

{2} Car Shopping
This, my friends, has got to be one of the most boring-est, nerve wracking, stressful things I've ever shopped for in my entire 21 years. Well, honestly the hardest part is wanting a car that I can't afford at the moment. Even harder since my parents bought a new vehicle within days of selling the other. Green Eye'd monster did try to rear his head..I'll admit it but in retrospect I was driving their car for the last TWO years, so its only fair.
Anyway, over the last two weeks, my mode of transportation has varied from day to day Monday - Thursday I drove my parents new vehicle (yes I was surprised the let me drive it...all by myself no less!), Friday - Sunday my neighbor was out of town and let me use her vehicle, Today - Tomorrow I'm stuff with the Tank (aka THE VAN) then Wednesday - Saturday my roommate has let me use her car while she's out of town.
I'm extremely grateful to everyone loaning me their vehicles but I'm so ready to have my own car again.

Next week Lord? Does that sound good to you?

{3} School
I was going over my assignment schedule in math, when I realized Spring Break is only...TWO WEEKS AWAY!
One question I'm beginning to hate is the "How's school going" question. Well I'm going to answer this once and for all. ITS.NOT. I mean it is, or shall I say, its coming back. Now that life is back to what I call normal (aka running around like the chicken with..well you know) I can feel myself able to focus on my school work more. However coming back from the "major" slump I took the week before last is difficult. Especially in math. There is just so much homework that its  almost impossible to keep up with once you get behind.

I'll be extremely happy if I get a C+ in this class.

Oh and to whom it may concern..no I have NOT had to re-take a class.
Thanks.

...don't ask...

{4} Random Photos from my 365 Project
Amazingly I've only missed two days thus far! My sister was inducted into Phi Theta Kapp this past Sunday

Family Portrait for my Mom's Birthday. It was freezing and my sister Kristen drug us all out there. Bubbles kept hopping up on us just as the shutter snapped so I finally just held her in my lap. We would have included Texas if had been anywhere around, but was off doing "whatever".

{4}  Angry Bird Fans 
Lastly I leave you with this video. Came across it on Delicious and thought it was super cute! Oh to have such an imagination and the ability to do something with it!!

Weekly Recap

In a word. Ugh. I've been in a weird mood all week, which I think is partly to do with Pompei leaving. I don't know. I'm just glad it's over. For this week's daily photo, I mostly focused on the Pompsters, seeing as (1) I don't have "near" enough photos of him (only about 5GBS worth) and (2) we've gotta commemorate his last week with me in some way shape or fashion. :) However I'm happy that I remembered to take a photo daily. Yay Me! :)

You can see the full versions of this photos at my Photo Blog. 

Background Credits: Bellisae Designs - Digital Scrapbook Kit - You & Me

1. Pompei sprawled in the floor with his toy hanging out of his mouth
2. Pompei looooooooves to be petted, here he is leaning into my hand as I scratch his neck 
3. Pompei in the house.. 
4. A screw my very.big.puppy found to play. 
5. A new theft awareness/prevention at the University Police Department 
6. My boss got me a cupcake as a sympathy gesture of a Pompei's leaving. Did I mention I have a great boss? 
7. House for Sale! Trying to sell our house in NC. I miss this place. 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, 2 car garage, nice quiet neighborhood. 

Linking Up with...

Ten on Tuesday

Ten on Tuesday (64)


1. Do you decorate for Valentine’s day?
Normally no. But Target has some super cute decor this year, that has made me want to start! But my budget screamed at me to put down the cute heart shaped mixing bowl, walk away from the $2 word art. And finish shopping for that birthday/Christmas present for my friend. 


2. Does your desktop have a picture or computer graphic? Is it organized?
Of course! Granted this is my work computer, as my home computer is a Mac. Have to make that distinction, can't have you guys thinking I'm a PC or something. *shudders*

3. Do you use a paper planner, electric planner or no planner at all?
Both! I use Google Calender because it syncs to my phone, Producteev.com and their Android App, and I have a paper planner that I still use...for old times sake I suppose....lol..when I remember it! :) 


4. Do you change purses or bags often or stick with a good thing?
I change probably every month or so.


5. What’s your favorite YouTube Video?



6. Do you use Turbo Tax or a real person to pay your taxes?
Turbo Tax all the way!


7. How many states have you set foot (or tire) in? Which ones? 18
New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington D.C.(I KNOW!), Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama,Maryland, Ohio, Michigan,   


8. How many countries have you been in? Which ones?
One. And that's all I every plan on. Me no like to travel. 


9. How many pillows are in your house? (Sleeping or decorative) 5 on my bed + 2 on couch + 2 on roommates bed...= 9... 


10. How cold is too cold for flip flops?
It is never.too cold. for flip flops. if you are just wearing the walk outside and back again. - Says the girl who runs outside barefoot in the snow. 

miscellany monday

Randomosicity.

1. I made the mistake of going to Sam's Club and Wal-Mart yesterday. Can anyone say mad house? I have never seen that store (Sam's Club anyway) so jammed with people! While I was there, I came across a family of, what I believe to be, eight children. They were all huddled around the book section, picking up book after book. Coming from a family of six, it always grabs my attention to see other large families, so as I was glancing down the book aisle I was counting them, as I know people have done to us many, many times. There were two small children in the top part of the shopping cart, and an infant carrier in the basket area. I'd walked around the aisle at least twice before I realized, the infant had been crying..no screaming at the top of his lungs for the last 5 minutes or so. This wasn't a I've just woke up type scream, but I need something now scream. Did I mention there was a blanket covering his seat...inside the store? Once I realized he'd been screaming, I stopped to see where the mom was, if I, a passerby had noticed the child surely she'd be a along shortly. 10 minutes later, no mom, and no one checking on the baby I knew I had to work up the courage, to ask one of the kids if they baby was OK. As i neared the group I noticed a man that seemed to be with them, so I approached  him and inquired about the child. "Oh he's just hungry." Well let me just pick my jaw up off of the floor here, and I'll be on my way. I was distracted by some friend of mine, coming up and trying to pet Pompei, so this stranger, missed an opportunity to hear a piece of my mind. So you're going to ignore him and let him scream, because you can't do anything about his hunger? If you are indeed the parental guardian of these children..why...?!?!? 
2. I knew when my boss greeted me with "Erin! Look at you! All early!! Finals must be over" I knew that my stress over the last couple of weeks, has been obvious not only to me, but my co-workers as well. These last couple of weeks have been such a blur, its amazing I remembered to come into work at all! However its over! And since I can't access my final grades...it may really be over. But i know I didn't do that badly! English is iffy, but I'm pretty confident with my other classes. (For the record I wasn't early, I just decided to go to my desk before doing a major reworking of my hair....believe me that eats up time! And its faster than trying to do it at home. Don't worry I make sure its "neat" before I leave the house) 
3. Still no where close to being done with my Christmas shopping.
4. I have nice neighbors. Just FYI.
5. That's all I have for today. Our Guide Dog group is having their Christmas Party today, so I'm going to make a made dash and try to get there (1.5 hours away) by 6:30pm. Wish me luck!

One Word...

One word to describe the year Two Thousand and Ten.

Stress.

I think I knew from the first day of January, this year had the potential to be a "toughie." Over the last...shall we say, 21 years, I've learned to trust my gut feelings about some things, and I just KNEW something was not right.
I'd had such high hopes for this year too. I made the difficult decision to quit my second job, in order to relieve some of the drama and stress in my life, as well as go back to school full-time, starting a new major.

However, quitting that job was not an easy task. My boss was very difficult to work with, and she had me doing two people's job at once...getting all that work delegated to other people was a chore. A big chore. Add a brand new 9 week old puppy, that I'd volunteered to raise for the Guide Dog Foundation. Yes, I'd planned on getting another puppy, but.... I didn't plan on it coming a week after I'd hinted about wanting another pup.

Then top that with a $5,000 tuition bill from the school, since I hadn't lived "in-state" for two years. Oh! And lets not forget the teacher who was determined to make my life as difficult as possible while we're at it.

Is anyone depressed now?

Life really didn't get much better, as the year progressed.. I was paying out much more than I was bringing in, the school's financial aid system was sending me through the ringer, and the billing center at the college, kept harassing me, about payments that I could.not.afford...to the point I was about to break down.

Summer saw me fostering a "demon dog" determined to make my life and my dogs lives miserable. Which she succeeded in doing. My roommate even moved out during this time, and left me to deal with her by myself. She didn't do it on purpose I know, but explain that too my sleep, and stressed out brain. We finally found her a home, and life started looking up............

The Fall semester started ok, but progressively got worst, as once again the financial aid office, dropped the money noose around my neck by only paying $350 towards my school. Thanks guys! That'll cover...one book...maybe two.

And we'll not mention the near loss of my driver's license, $200 in court fees, drama, not to mention the invasion of some annoying, extremely hard to get rid of pest in my home, that nearly sent me over the edge.

Some how, I'm still alive through it all. Thank you God.

However, words cannot describe the feelings I get when thinking about December 31, 2010.

I can only get better from here..right?

So my word for 2011 is simple:

Puppies. 
I picked that word, because that's the only "sure" thing, besides the fact that God is in control here, that I know about next year, I refuse to dwell on all the uncertainties that will carry over from 2010.

~ Erin 

Join in with many others at Reverb10, and get daily prompts throughout the month of December!  

November 4: When I was 10.....

If you had made a career out of whatever you were passionate about when you were ten…what would you be doing?


Though I can't pinpoint the exact date, it was most likely right around age 10, that my obsession with animals had started. I can remember going to the library and checking out book, after book about dogs, dog training, dog breeds, dog stories. I wanted a dog so.badly it was unbearable at times. Its funny now, to think of my obsession with dogs at the time, simply because a few years prior to this, I was deathly scared of them.  Makes me wonder if I wanted one more so because my  childhood friends Brittany and Jeffery (siblings), and Warren and Wesley (brothers) had both gotten puppies recently.  Brittany, my best friend at the time, had gotten a Boxer puppy named Durango and the "W" brothers a Golden Retriever mix named Ralph. Who knows. 

I remember leaving little notes around the house for my parents trying to convince them to let me have a dog! It was to know avail. Meanies. But in the meantime I dreamed of becoming a dog trainer, or even a veterinarian,I really had no REAL preference..other than it had something to do with dogs. 


One time I can remember, my mom came into our room one morning, all excited about a surprise she had to show us. We were half asleep, but when she said this "surprise" was indeed alive, I can STILL feel the intense excitement I had that perhaps, FINALLY, I had gotten the puppy I had longed for. My sisters and I jumped out of bed, and went through our "morning routine" as fast as we possibly could. Going through ideas of what we would name said puppy, if that were indeed the case. Who knows, I might have prayed and asked God to please, let us get a puppy!

You can imagine our disappointment to find a pot full of budding seeds, we'd planted a couple of weeks earlier. I can still remember rushing outside, and looking around for the "live" surprise. I can still remember faking my "happiness" that our stupid plants were blooming. My heart was broken. 

However I didn't give up hope, and it 2002 - Miss Bubbles came to live with us! We were such bad dog owners at first, but the dog is still alive, and in reasonable health. Poor Dear. At least her last  years will be lived out in relative peacefulness. Grins. 

Bubbles would really like me to leave her alone, so she can get back to her nap.

It wasn't until 2006 that was finally able to "fulfill" my dream, and in a completely different manner than I'd even thought of. That's when I saw my first guide dog puppy. We were at a 4-H Achievement Night, were all the clubs gathered together and we gave awards for different programs we'd done through out the year. 
I, at the time was ...probably Secretary of our county and  rushing around, attempting to make sure everything was were it was supposed to be. 

I was standing in the middle of the auditorium where the event was being held, and see a woman walk by with a 4 month old, black lab puppy wearing a vest. My curiosity was peaked, and I was dying to go over and find out why she had that dog in here, but alas my duties called and I wasn't able to find out any information. 

As soon as the event was over, and the photo taking had ceased, I streaked for the "dog lady". I was surprised to find my mom had reached her first, and had already gathered information. I nearly fell over when she turned to me and said these magic words: "I was thinking we might get involved in doing something like this." Truthfully I really didn't know WHAT it was the lady was doing, but I did know if it had anything to do with dogs you could count me in! 

Long story short 4 years later, I'm still "living my dream". From my first guide dog puppy, to multiple jobs at Dog daycares, shelters, working as a trainer for a local service dog organization, as well as volunteering as a puppy raiser for the Guide Dog Foundation. Yeah, its a little crazy to actually get to do, what you wanted to do as a child! Granted I'm not getting paid to do it at the moment...but volunteering is just as good..or better even! 

Me meeting my first guide dog pup Jake. 

And that, my friends, is my story. 

What "career" goals did you have as a child?
But here's the real question: 12 dogs later...do my parents regret getting me my first dog? 


You can see more stories at Mama's Losin It.