Christmas Day 8

 

“I think it is appropriate this time of year to just think about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too over- whelmed or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of His life — the culmination of heavenly prophecy but the earthly beginning for Him” (“Be at Peace,” “Ensign,” Dec. 2015).

Stuck in the Bag

Yesterday, Sophie decided to play with a shopping bag after we put the groceries away. (Don’t worry, it’s a fabric bag.) After a little bit, she ran over to me with the straps of the bag around her body. She seemed so proud of her accomplishment. I got my phone out and let her pose for a few pictures before I picked her up and let the bag fall off her back legs. I love the silly things this small dog does! 

Sleep Deprived

We have three dogs. Dexter is a lab mix we got a few months after we got married. He’s getting a bit old, but is a good dog most of the time. Sophie is a pug/ Chihuahua mix and about he same age as Dexter. We got her in 2019 and have loved her ever since. Aqua is a hound/ boxer mix. We adopted her from the same shelter as Sophie about a year prior. She was about a year and a half old when we got her and has been a bundle of energy most of the time. We love our dogs! 

Lately, Aqua and Sophie have been waking me up very early in the morning. When I say early, I mean before my 5:00am alarm goes off. This morning, Sophie woke me up at 2:45 to let her out of my room to get a drink. Then, Aqua started doing the bark that she does when she wants attention a little after 4:00. I decided to try to let her be until I was ready to get up to see if she would calm down. She didn’t really. She should stop just long enough for me to get back to sleep before she stated back up. Eventually, Chad got up with her about 5 minutes before my alarm would have gotten me up anyway. Them waking up one or both of us has been happening for quite some time. I wish I knew how to get them to stop. 

So Spoiled

I have left the house without Sophie a bit more than usual over the past week or so. First, I went to a Thanksgiving dinner at a friend’s house on Thanksgiving since I was celebrating with my kids the following day. Then, I took Noel out for her “Mom and Noel” day as her last birthday gift. This week, I had to pick Noel up from school and take her to the doctor (again) on Thursday, went to a 5K race this morning, and went shopping for tomorrow’s shindig this afternoon. This poor little dog is not used to me leaving her so much, and she is acting a bit like a toddler. In other words, when I am with her, she will not leave my side. 

Yesterday, we went for a walk with a friend of mine and her dog. I dropped her leash and left her with the friend to put a present in the car. Sophie looked so sad and walked to me very slowly. When I got back to her, she was shaking and insisting I held her which I did for about a quarter mine. Today, she has been curled up to me as I do homework most of the time that I have been home. When I try to move, she scoots over to me. 

I love that she loves me. I will soak it up as much as I can. However, it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to get stuff done or even when I simply just need to go to the bathroom. 

She Loves Me

 Last night, Sophie hopped on my bed while I got ready for the night. When I came out of the bathroom, this is what I found. She had rearranged my sheet and blankets to make her own cocoon. As soon as I tried to take a picture, she wiggled out a bit and posed for me. Then, I straightened my covers and climbed in bed as she made her way under the covers as well to curl up to my legs. This little dog is so wonderful! I promised myself I wouldn’t get attached after losing Jasper so abruptly. Oh well! She deserves the love!

Sophie the Unicorn

 I forgot about Sophie’s costume until today, so we tried to put it on her for pictures after dinner. It too two of us: one to hold her still, and one to put the costume on her. She was not a fan of it. When I put her down, she just stood in one spot for a while. Then, she started walking backwards like she does when she is under blankets. Eventually, she sat down by the piano and wiggled out of it. I wish she liked it. I would put it on her as a coat in the winter if she would let me. I guess we will just stick to the sweater for now. 

Lost Dog/ Found Dog

 If there is a hole in the fence, Sophie will find it. She loves to roam around. Today, she found one of those holes and got out. It scared us for a while. 

After lunch, I let all of the dogs in the backyard and went back to work. When the big dogs wanted in, Sean let them in. Then, he went looking for Sophie. When he couldn’t find her, Noel joined him as I drove around the block slowly calling for her knowing she couldn’t get very far. At this point, she went to walk around the block in case I missed her as I freaked out thinking a hawk or other predatory bird got ahold of her. Then, Noel climbed the fence to see if she could find her that way, and she did. A confused little Sophie was right up against the fence likely trying to find a way back in where the people were calling for her. My solution was to have Noel jump the fence as I drove around to the back of the house to meet them. What I found as I passed the mailboxes was Sean walking towards Noel who was snuggling a small dog we thought may have been eaten. 

I was so relieved to be able to bring my doggie home. Sophie was just happy as could be having had a small adventure and getting the attention of being held and snuggled. 

Walking Sophie

I have been walking Sophie a lot lately. Today, we walked about two miles which is kind of far for a old, small dog. She seemed to not mind though, for the most part. She did mind when we walked past a house with a blue heeler in the front yard. As he ran down the driveway barking, she stopped, so I picked her up and kept walking. When we got closer to the other dog, she climbed up to my shoulder and would let me put her down until we were past that yard. We do walk on Thursdays with my friend and her two small dogs, and (as I pointed out yesterday) we have two big dogs in our home with her. I am not sure why she was suddenly scared of this dog today, but I guess I will be carrying her at times during walks now.