I am glad to ring in a new year, and let go of the old one. 2008 was the worst year of my life, for many reasons. We had several disasters that year, as some of you well know. 2009, while not in any way an extension of 2008, was a long year for us to be sure. We spent the entire year in a rental home, for which we are eternally grateful for. The family that owns the home we rent are AMAZING.. They allowed us and our 5 dogs into their home without any reservation, and are genuinely happy to have us. It was one of the many blessings. We found out how amazing our friends were, and my dog friends in particular. The way the dog community helped us out after our fire was nothing short of miraculous. I will forever be grateful to them as well. We would not be where we are without them. I believe that helped me realize just how lucky I am to have such amazing friends, and where I really wanted to be in my life.
We have had a long, annoying battle with our insurance company over money for our fire, which we ultimately recieved everything we needed, it just took time and emotional energy I didn't have to spend. I am glad I am finally finished with all the paperwork, and all the headache, of Allstate.
We have had a LONGER battle with weather! Dig a basement, and then torrential rains and floods for 4 months! It did become comical after a while, but it put us well behind on building our home..
I decided on a major career change, after deciding that someone elses insanity was not worth my personal health. That was both the best decision I ever made, and the saddest. I miss all the animals I got to develop a relationship with over the years, and my day to day interactions with some of the coolest stuff I'll ever get to do. With the sweet comes the sour, and after 2 solid years of being someone elses whipping post, I decided I am worth more than that. I hope that person finds happiness in their own life, and stops feeling the need to emotionally tortue others. The peace I have found since leaving is really amazing.
I am so glad I decided to start my own business. Its the scariest, most exciting thing I have ever done. I have always loved to teach, and have been a coach in some way since I was in high school, coaching softball and playing as well. I love helping teams reach their full potential, and helped people enjoy their pets more. It is really rewarding to see someone enjoy their animal more, and watch relationships develop that might not have been there before.
I am excited about this year with my dogs. I feel like Sally will do well this year, and maybe we will get it together enough for some QQs!
Moxie is definitely coming along, and I think this year will be when she really comes into her own. I want her running to her full potential, and enjoying the game as much in trials as she does at home.
Hustle is training great, and he will be my first start to finish running contact dog, so I am really going to enjoy the challenge. He will also be my first 2x2 weave dog, start to finish. I am ready to see what he will be like on course!
This will be Baileys retirement year. She earned her MJP last year, and we will try for her MXP this year. If she gets it, fine, if not, we will have fun trying. She will be 11 in May, and my only goal for her is to live a long, healthy, spoiled life.
I am excited about 2010. New house, new business, and new adventures with the dogs. Bring it on!
