Blogging in 2017

My blog is now a little more seven years old, and I’ve published just under a thousand posts in that time. Along the way, I have written and still have about 100 drafts that I have never published. Sometimes I just didn’t finish the posts. Sometimes I thought they were too boring. Sometimes I wrote an entire blog post then changed my mind about publishing it for whatever reason.

~Todd never changes his mind --  He loves his red ball!~

Last year, as you may know, was a struggle to keep my blog going.  Many times I thought about just giving it up. But I have changed my mind about doing that because as bad as I am about blogging, I hold onto what I why I began this blog in the first place.  It was because I wanted a place where the dogs who are so often forgotten about, are remembered. YOU have helped that to become a reality.  You have helped to celebrate our successes, helped me welcome the new additions and shared in the lowest moments and the losses -- For that and so much more, I am truly humbled and so very, very grateful.

~A loss in 2016, our beloved friend and companion, Sheba~

Another reason I want to continue blogging is because I also have come to truly value my cyber friendships that keep me going.  Blogging has given me a chance to connect to people. I love reading your comments, and I love reading your blogs.  I am never bored when I blog.  I get to experience snippets of your lives I would otherwise not see.  I can have adventures I otherwise don't get to have. And I really believe that blogging has given me the chance to connect to humanity as a whole because it takes me one step closer to other people in the world.

~Eva, seeing the world for the first time...  Or a bird!~ 

There are some of you who no longer blog, or don't have one. You know who you are, and I also want to thank you for your kind thoughts, support and friendship as well.  This year, my hope and goal for "Life at Golden Pines" is to try and do better.

So, onward we go.  At a fast pace.  Today was the day that Max had his 2nd knee surgery.  The report tonight was that all has gone pretty well.  He'll be home tomorrow.

We have a busy, busy weekend ahead - We will welcome back the lovely Bella (below with her family) who we placed in a new home this past summer.  She'll be here for two weeks while "Dick and Judy" take a two week cruise of the Panama Canal.

AND, we may be welcoming a new addition.  Stay tuned!

Happy, Happy New Year!!