My baby is growing up

Moose is 10 months old. I can't believe it.

Forget what he looked like as a puppy...check him out here.

And now, we estimate he is at least 85 pounds. He walks like a champ and is listening like a good dog. So happy with him!

It's autumn

This morning as I rode my bike in the YMCA Sprint Triathlon, tears rolled out of the corners of my eyes. The cool breeze shot through my body and invigorated me! I LOVE THIS WEATHER. I love nothing more than to walk hand and hand with my husband at a fair or festival wearing jeans, sweatshirts and boots. I purposely dodge towards leaves when I run to crunch on them. The bills are low because you don't have to turn on the heat and the air conditioning is off. The windows are open and the nice crisp air filters in. It's just a beautiful time of year.
I am hoping the mild weather is motivation to get me back into my running routine, this time with my canine partner in toe. Moose is getting big. He loves to run and play and the vet said 5 months is the time he is allowed to start running. After he gets nuetered on Tuesday and has some time to heal, it off to the rail trail we go. I can't wait. I miss running. I need to get my cardiovascular system back into shape. And even though my blood pressure still tests low, I feel it slowly rising with every day I teach and learn the ropes of Special Education.
So here's to a happy fall filled with memories and motivation!

Puppy parenthood

Has it really been nearly two weeks since I posted? I can't believe it. Since we picked up Moose, an 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy, I've been following him around the house hoping to catch him in the act of peeing or pooping so that he becomes housebroken. That means I've skipped out on exercise, barely cleaned the house and didn't really do anything productive. It's rather disturbing, since I am used to being so active. I am sure before I know it, he will be housebroken and a joy to have.

I am a really impatient person, too, which makes it hard to stick to being consistent and not seeing immediate results. Hopefully, I can stick it out so Moose is a well behaved and socialized dog.

On cats

I sat down at the computer and not two seconds later I heard a familiar sound. The revving up of my cat Ivan. He never lets me sit down at the computer without jumping into my lap. It makes getting things done difficult, but it's so nice to know that he can't be away from me. He is the inspiration for this post. Pets are the best companions. I know they can be expensive, but I have some tips on how to save costs when getting one or keeping one.

• Always adopt from the SPCA. Ivan cost $65 and came with all his shots and already neutered. To buy at kitten at a pet store you are looking at 4 times that much.
  
• Buy food in bulk and store it in large tins. Mine is stored in Christmas tins that I got at the Thrift store, but no one knows because they are in the basement. We keep a smaller tin in the cupboard above their food dishes and fill it as needed from the basement stock.
• Stock up on toys after the holiday and store them away. The cat does not care if he is playing with a snowman in the middle of summer.
• Buy the scoopable litter and keep in cleaned daily. It will last longer and you don't have to change it as often.
• Clip their nails yourself. Toby loves it, Ivan hates it. I hate to cut Ivan's because he howls, but it beats the groomers bill.
• When leaving going on vacation, check with neighbors and friends about checking in on them. If you can't find a friendly volunteer, a pet sitter can come every other day with cats.