Day 53

Meet my new life partner.

Bad news boys, I am officially off the market.  I know 😢

LOL, OK I am just kidding, but, I would like to introduce you all to my new BFF in life, Finn.  She is the most amazing 9-week old chocolate lab puppy in the entire world and I love her so much!  She is so smart and perceptive and snuggly!  She does leave a little to be desired in the puppy breath department and she is very mouthy (meaning everything in her mouth) and we are still working on the potty thing, but she's already sitting on command at 9 weeks!  What a smarty pants!  And, as a proud mom does, I will continue to brag and tell you some of her older siblings work with PAVE so she was bred for emotional intelligence, not something superficial like color or head shape (check out the 'My Links' section for more info about the PAVE program-it's amazing).

I know you all may be thinking, "umm, so you are a single mom with cancer, don't you have enough on your plate?"  I am clearly at my limit but bear with me for a moment.  I can tell you mentally and emotionally this has been the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life and I have been through some pretty bad stuff.  I was trying to keep my chin up but it was a constant struggle, and I consider myself a hopeless optimist, so yeah. My head space was just pretty whack.   

Some history.  Way back when I was 8 years old, my dad got a lab puppy when he was going through cancer treatment.  I was sitting at the table having my morning coffee a few weeks ago and all of a sudden it hit me and I completely understood why he did that.  I needed a puppy!  That very same day, I went to pick out my new puppy.  Or rather, she picked me.  Her three sisters were climbing all over her and I lifted her out of the pen and she climbed up my chest so she could get her nose right in my neck, and then she fell asleep.  That was it for me.  

Finn is my hiking buddy for next year and for many years to come.  I am so looking forward to all the adventures and fun we are going to have now and after I have recovered.  And, since many of you have scolded me for hiking alone, now I won't be alone anymore!  You're welcome!  =)  

My head is where I need it to be now and I have a perfect distraction and renewed sense of purpose.  Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that simply fighting for my life and to be there for my kids was not enough, because it definitely is enough and it is by far the most important thing.  

It's kinda like I just needed a reboot.  Now my head is pulled out of my rear-end and I've stopped going down every rabbit hole of worse case scenarios.  Now I'm looking forward.

And for those of you that are rescue dog people and hate people like me for going to a breeder, I really tried to go that route first.  This was the right choice for me and my family.  This little girl is such a gift to us all.

So look out my friends for my IG and FB to blow up with pup pictures (shocker) and I am fairly certain the hiking pictures will now include my new BFF in addition to the standard repertoire.

Love you all, have a fantastic weekend!

XOXO