A Milestone

Another week is coming to a close.  As always, its been a busy one with work, not feeling well and topped with just a little bit of  'family drama' that I'm just really hoping I have shoved closed and locked the door on.  I'm reminded yet again that we have a really good life that is better off without certain people as part of it, especially when being so cruel and vindictive comes so easily to them and is the only way they know how to act.

Moving on from the negativity, this week we reached our 5 year milestone of living at Golden Pines.  To some, I know that it's not that long, but it's a milestone nonetheless.  I remember very well the day we left our last house in the subdivision.  I remember the feelings I had when I stood in it's empty entryway for the last time looking at the freshly painted bare walls, new carpet and polished floors. Carl and I felt humbled as we thought about our life there and the dogs that had found their way to us during the 10 years we lived in the house.  

Below: Golden Pines 2007

On Tuesday, we remembered those same things.  The house we bought in the country was only supposed to be a place to give us the room we needed for the dogs and the privacy I was craving.  But along the way, it has become so much more; it has become home.  I am so grateful to have the chance to bring the senior dogs to Golden Pines that need a place to go.  Yes, we've had many losses that have brought their own sadness and heartache.  But without a doubt I wouldn't want to miss out on the joy we've had in caring for and getting to know these precious senior dogs and have the memories of them.

In remembering them, today I also want to toast the dogs that came with us from our last house and are still a part of our lives at Golden Pines.  They are:

Wendy, who came to us in July 1999

Josh, who came to us in 2002

CarrieAnne in June 2003

Charlie in July of 2004, 

Sheba, September 2004

Here's to the next 5 years and the adventures ahead!