Comfort Zone

As the school year is coming to a close, this will be my last blog post assignment for my English class. I'm debating whether to continue with the blog or possibly start a different blog that I can keep going better. It's been a good experience for me, not only as a writer, but as a person. Writing about dogs and having to think about them a little more than I normally would has strengthened my relationship with my dog. I spend more time with him than I was before blogging, and I have a different perspective on (wo)man's best friend.

I found Cosmo napping on my blanket . . .

These past seven or eight months have been nothing but change, and it's all been a benefit for me. From starting mountain biking and snowboarding, to moving and going to a new school, it's pushed me out of my comfort zone more times than not. This blog including. I really struggled when picking the topic to blog about. I thought about blogging about my life and all of the changes occurring, learning to snowboard and/or mountain bike, my love for music, and about dozen other ideas. But when it came down to it, I knew that I had a passion for dogs and that even though it would be difficult for me, I would find joy in writing every week or so about these furry creatures.

Because of all of the good that has come out of me going outside of my comfort zone, I encourage you to do the same. Whether its getting off the couch and exercising, talking to new people, trying new food, or facing your fears, I can promise you that you will benefit from new experiences. From week to week, it became more and more challenging to talk about dogs because I have such general knowledge on them. Thinking this would be an easy assignment, I realized that I actually had to use my brain a little to think about what I was writing ;). But really, from post to post, I wrote from my own thoughts and experience which is something I usually don't get to do for school. It was a pretty neat opportunity.

Selfie of enjoying the FINALLY warm weather.

Anyways, thanks for reading my blog. I hope you've enjoyed hearing about silly Cosmo that I love so much and my opinions on dogs. Get outside, ideally with your best friend (dog), and enjoy the wonderful world we live in. Goodbye for now!

Just Smile a Little

As I've continued this blog for my English assignment, I've realized that it is difficult to come up with twenty or so different ideas focused around dogs. Lately I've been thinking about life, as one does, and I've decided to incorporate some of those thoughts into my blog.

In life, people strive for perfect happiness rather than being content with the circumstances brought upon them. I'm not sure why humans have this desire for perfection. When I look at my dog, no matter what's going on, he's smiling from ear to ear. He gets excited over small things like butt rubs or meeting new people. Now dogs aren't quite at the same intelligence level as humans, and they don't really ever think of having a different life. But why can't all humans just enjoy the little things in life like dogs do? The small things like sitting outside on a quiet, warm day petting my dog. I think the whole human race would be a lot more pleasant if we were to surround ourselves with those who make us happy. For me, that would be my dog. Spending some time outdoors with Cosmo improves my mood by 1000%. Lately I've just been trying to be happy and positive as often as I can. Even in times when I'm riding the school bus, I listen to my music and watch the beautiful mountain scenery flash past me and I enjoy life. Or when people complain about having to go to school, although I'd rather be doing something more fun, I'm grateful that I'm allowed an education so easily compared to a lot of the world.

Photo Credit: Picture Quotes

Another aspect of life that we can take from dogs is judgement. Being in the ninth grade, judgement is a big part of my life. As I moved recently for the first time in my life, not knowing anyone has given me the great experience of realizing I can't judge anyone before I get to know them. I find that this is one of the reasons humans enjoy dogs so much. No matter who you are, if you love your dog, they will love you. Any dog I see is happy for me to pet them while they sniff the smells on my clothes. A dog will be friendly and loving towards you until you give them a reason not to. I wish humans reacted the same way to one another. John Grogan, in his book Marley & Me, said, "A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?" Whether I'm reading the book or watching the movie, this quotes, without a doubt, always brings me to tears. I'm so thankful for my dog. He really is the best friend I could ever have. I wouldn't be the same person without him. He knows me for who I am and loves me still.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This all sounds rather silly. Dogs are, to some people, loud, dirty, mindless animals that slobber and make messes. But there's this deep connection you can have with your dog. One that some people just won't understand. Never once can you have a verbal conversation with your dog (or at least one that they will understand ;) ), yet between your dog and you, you know each other so well. My dog and I understand one another- we love each other. Yet we've never spoken to each other. It's crazy, actually. We can sit next to one another in utter silence being the happiest friends on Earth. Imagine if humans would save their words only for when they are needed. People blabber on and on wasting their words trying to become loved and accepted, when all you need to do is find a connection with someone. I find my favorite friends are the ones I can have meaningful conversations with, but I can also sit and do nothing with them and still find happiness everywhere I look.

So there's a slice of a fifteen-year-old's mediocre thoughts on life.

Hairy Hair

Hair. It's everywhere. It won't go away. I'm afraid it never will go away. Dog hair, that is.

Cosmo has a serious problem with shedding. Sure, we could probably brush him more and vacuum more often to reduce the amount of hair around, but there's just not enough time in the day! There's more important things to do with my life! But I'm dead serious- this hair will always haunt me. When I go somewhere in public, like school, my clothes are always coated in dog hair. When I'm on vacation I find dog hair. When Cosmo sleeps on bed I have to wash my sheets because of all of the hair. Even if I just sit on the floor or on a couch, my butt and back becomes entirely white with dog hair! It's a serious problem.

As you can probably tell, neither me or my family likes Cosmo's hair. My mom thinks we should get a Labradoodle for our next dog because that way the dog will have characteristics of a lab, but a lot less shedding! Although my friend who owns a Labradoodle just had her dog shaved because they hadn't been brushing her hair and it became matter....

Photo Credit: Candi Kellmer

When we empty the vacuum, it's just fools of dirt and dog hair. Cosmo's hair even comes out in chunks!! It's crazy!! My friend Gracie and I once filled a jar full of his hair chunks that were falling out! Everywhere I go, his hair goes... I guess there's just not much anyone can do about it. There's not a ton of things about him that annoys me, but his hair is definitely one of them. Along with his snoring and twitching he's doing right now... Better get to bed! Although this was more of a ranting post... I'd like your guys' opinion on the best way to keep order with dog hair!