A Dog Story: Not so EVIL after all!

Not so EVIL after all. 

Everyone that knows me knows I love all animals and dogs are at the top of my list. Although I can be very reserved and unsure when I can't read them.  I've had my fair share of dog bites- some from my own doing when I was a kid and didn't know better and others just from a dog that is timid and unsure themselves. So when what has transpired the last few days I thought I'd share. 

My moms dog is older (8 yrs) and very set in her ways.  She also came to live with my mom only a couple years ago so we don't know all what she has been through in her earlier life to feel she can't trust everyone.  

She can get pretty moody, growls and snippy so everyone in the family keeps their distance. Her actual name is Duchess but we  jokingly nicknamed her "Evil Dog". 

I've seen her first hand be pleasant and get excited and playful with my mom but for anyone else she is very non social and won't even give much eye contact.  She usually hides when the family arrives for a visit. 

    Since my stay at my moms for 5 days so far for my recovery she has not only joined me in the same room and stayed at a distance but now has welcomed my lap as a safe and comfy place to be too. Yesterday was her first hop in my lap and I attributed it to my mom having to leave and run to the store and maybe she was lonely and I would have to do. But today my mom is here and Duchess is very content in my lap once again. Go figure! 

Duchess on the couch across from me. 

    My mom says she NEVER hops in her lap so I guess I should feel very special. So today she stays and sleeps on my lap and if she gets down for any reason she eventually finds herself back in my lap, and with no coaxing from me. 

    Maybe she senses I miss my own pup Bentley or that I'm not feeling well. Or maybe she actually is learning to trust others.  Either way I enjoy her company and she seems to be ok with mine too.  

Resting well on my lap. 

A good reminder: 

All animals need love and will graciously give it back too,  they just need time. 🐶🐾💕

Well Wishes, ((Hugs)) & Prayers 

Janine

Ready, Set, Goals! Walking~Refelection~New Month Ahead

A new month is here and it's that time again to set new goals. I can not stress enough the importance of setting goals. It's important as it gets your mind and a plan set in motion for the next 30 days. Also, its important for accountability and to see how far you have come once you look back.  Looking back on what you have accomplished I think is good for you. I'm not talking about dwelling on what you didn't do, but what you have done. Making commitments to yourself and keeping them will not only show result but give you a "feel good" feeling of yourself and that to me is just as important. 

I'll start by showing you my up coming goals but will further explain in more detail further in post. 

Mays Goals

Looking back! 

I welcomed spring and sprung forward like I said I would. 

I set out to get back into my walking with the hopes to get at least 60 miles done. Happily I can say I did a total of 90.50 miles for the month of April. Those 90.50 miles were achieved with 27 walks and burned about 15k calories. I couldn't have done all those miles without my fantastic, fun, and encouraging walking partner Debbie. She has a great spirit about her and has become a great friend too. 

Just for fun lets look back a little further to when I first started this app. Since starting the Mapmywalk app I have walked 487.0 miles, 135 logged walks, 140.45 hrs and 78,031 calories burned. To me that's pretty impressive! Yes it could have been much more if I didn't slack off during some months but I still feel good of what I've accomplished thus far.  

Most of our walks consists of walking the bridge and onto the beach.  Most days we had great weather but we enjoyed the not so great weathered ones too, even getting caught in the pouring rain. Here are some pics from our walks over the past month. The sunrise alone is just amazing! Debbie and I both agree it's so inviting you almost want to keep walking to reach it. 

Our bridge walkway over the river. 

A stunning morning sunrise during our beach walks. 

Hard to not enjoy this view each morning. We look forward to seeing a new master piece each time. 

Morning beach walk. 

The view from the east side of the river of one of the bridges we did in April. 

The view from top of one of the bridges we walk. 

 Did I mention we tackle the stairs sometimes too that are on each end of the bridge.  

Back to my goals. 

My goals are a little different from most months as you can see.  I'm still focusing on my exercise and meals but my main objective and focus is recovery.  This coming Monday Im scheduled for surgery that will require several weeks of recovery.  I'm a bit bummed I'll be missing out on some serious walking time and hanging out with my walking partner Debbie but sometimes life has other plans and you just have to make the best of it.  I plan to start small in my walks to not over do it but plan to increase my steps/distance as soon as Im up for it.  If all goes well as planned I'll be back walking my 6-8 miles daily in no time and hoping to be feeling even better than before. I do plan to blog during my recovery about my progress. 

Well Wishes, (((Hugs))) & Prayers,

Janine