One Heck of a Sunday

Well it was an eventful weekend - yes there was the Super Bowl, but I slept right though it. The things that were eventful include my pup going for an excursion underneath my parents deck, the pup waking up my younger brother's friends, and doing something nice for a stranger.

All of these events happened this Sunday, starting when I was bring the dog back in from using the restroom (outside). I noticed that the plows had come through our complex and inadvertently plowed a fellow resident of my complex into his parking spot. He was clearly going nowhere and I wanted to jump in and help as soon as he and I made eye contact, but I had one problem - Jax, my 5 month old puppy was with me outside and there was no way I would be helpful while trying to contain that energy. I quickly ran him inside - just to wake up the sleeping boyfriend - grabbed my keys and got the shovel out of my trunk. He was grateful that I had a shovel but it did not help. What ended up happening was that myself and another resident of the complex had to push the guy out. The other resident was a petite female (like myself). I tell you this story not to gloat, but to remind you that a small act of kindness can make a huge difference. Also, I think of it as, "If I were stuck in the foot of snow, I would hope that someone would have the decency to help me out as well." I think people should think that way more often because I think it would make the world a better place.

After this I gathered the laundry and the pup and headed to my parents' house to do said laundry (and hang out with my mom - I hadn't seen her in probably a month). My brother seemed to have had a party the night before and the boys were still asleep in the family room when I arrived. I naturally let Jax go out and explore and lo' and behold he woke all of the boys up (remember now he has a cone because he was neutered about two weeks ago). There was one boy in particular to told me that he would attempt to kill my dog because he had woken him up - now yes that seems extreme but these boys are merely juniors in high school and you can't take anything they say seriously. I promptly told him that he too would sign his death wish if he attempted to harm my dog. Seeing the boys interact made me very glad I was no longer in high school and that my words now mean what they are versus empty promises. I have to grudge against these boys - as one is my own brother - but I do think that once they are out of high school and on their own they will be less likely to jump to such violent ideas and empty words.

My last event to report is that of Jax's disappearance under my parents' deck. Now this is a multi-level deck which I am used to him being under the part I can see under. He decided to explore the part that goes right up against the house and do whatever it is that he was doing for about a half hour - all the while calling his name and trying to get him to come out so I could at least see him. What ended up getting his attention was me squeaking one of his toys endlessly until he appeared - mud covering his face and (as I latter found out) his paws. He looked like he had just been on the most exciting and excruciating adventure because after I let him in, (got yelled at for the mud and cleaned him up) he fell asleep by my side on the couch. He showed me that if you are curious about something then you should go after it 110% despite if it is unconventional or against the norm.

I love that little pup and I see that he has brought happiness to my life. He may not always be a perfect dog, but he is our (my boyfriend and I) dog and he does teach us new things every day. Needless to say once I got home from laundry I was exhausted and promptly slept through the Super Bowl. Jax decided that football wasn't interesting either because he slept right along with me.

Reflecting on Our Talk

So today was a bit better and i think it is because my boyfriend and I had a conversation about what is acceptable with the dog and what is not. For example, tonight the dog will not be attempting to sleep in our bed because he woke up (and wouldn't go back to sleep) two nights ago and was put in his cage at 3:30 and last night he decided to pee on the bed and was also put into his kennel for the night. 

Our dog has been well potty-trained for I'd say a month or so now, but it seems that he continues to have accidents when he is in unfamiliar areas, like my boyfriend's parent's house - or our bedroom (he has been excluded from that area due to the carpet being in only that room). I just wish he would be more mellow, similarly to when we got him from the shelter. I should just be thankful that he is happy and healthy I suppose. His energy should calm down a bit as he gets older (I hope) and then I think he will be more manageable for the both of us.

We were both home between classes today and it was nice to just relax and let the dog play around the apartment. We were able to talk about the dog being only 5 months and with it being cold around here, the dog hasn't been out much to exercise; the pup also gets too cold to exercise much outside - which is both sad because he picks up his feet and whines but also a bit humerus because he is the one that runs far out into the field and then gets cold - thus I often pick him up to keep him from getting any colder.

This I think has help my understanding of the perspective of my boyfriend, but also helped me say a bit of what I wanted to in a constructive manor rather than just attacking one another and starting a fight. I would still like to get constructive input on my observations or the situation. Also, if you have any tips on adapting a crate-trained dog to sleeping on a bed I would be interested to hear them. 

Me in a Nutshell

Hi everyone out there. I am writing this blog to vent and get advise about my life in general.

A little bit about me: I am only 20 and have been dating my boyfriend for almost 5 years (started May 22, 2009), we have a dog together named Jax, and we are currently living together while finishing up college. 

I am happy with my life most days; sometimes I feel like I am living beyond my years and it scares me. Everyone tells me that my relationship resembles an old married couple - that scares me. I don't want us to lose the romance so early, I mean we aren't even married and I know there is less spark between us. 

Our dog was his idea, though I was not opposed to it, I feel like I spend the most time with the dog and take care of him the most. For example, I came home from class the other day and the dog was in his kennel because my boyfriend couldn't "handle" him any more. Mind you my boyfriend was upset because classes had not been cancelled due to weather (he still didn't go to class because he thought it was dumb that class wasn't cancelled). The dog just hit 5 months himself so he has a lot of energy and chews on everything. Am I paranoid when I think this behavior will translate to if/when we have kids? I mean babies cry and don't listen; the dog just gets into everything and doesn't listen and he "can't handle it." Today, the dog went to actively bite my boyfriend; I agree that this behavior should not be condoned and the dog be punished for it, but he wanted to put him in his cage for 6 and a half hours! I think that is excessive, even if he was being a bad dog. 

I wish I knew how to tell him these things without sounding mean or passive aggressive; I just would hate to be the fighting couple everyone knows. I just wonder if I am being too passive or too nonchalant about things that bother me. I guess I am looking for advice but also just someone/something to vent to. All of my female friends are either away at college or too busy to hang out. I admittedly do not make good friends easily and I have a problem with excessive girl's behavior; I guess I am looking for an outlet that is safe but helpful, and I hope I can get that here.

I would be happy to get some constructive input, but if no one ends up reading this at least I feel better. I needed to get this off my chest and out in the open; even if it does not go to the person I truly want to tell all of this to, it is out there and I was able to reflect on my feeling - even if it is just nonsensical rambling.