We're wet...

...but thankfully, that's about all!  We weathered through Superstorm Sandy with little issue.  We had the extra bottles of water, packed freezer full of ice, batteries, flashlights, and candles at the ready, but none of that was needed.  In fact, we didn't even have any flooding from our creek!  At this point, we're just dealing with water-logged soil and chilly temperatures.  We'll take it, since not everyone had the same luck as we did.

We wish everyone dealing with the clean-up a quick recovery!  And for those traveling home later than expected, a safe journey!

Proud Momma

I am such a proud momma!

When we met Remy prior to his adoption, I had two questions - Does he bark?  Does he get along with other dogs?  The answers were exactly what I wanted to hear - no barking, and he got along great with other dogs.  Unfortunately, once we adopted him, it was quite apparent that the real answers to the questions were the exact opposite!

I've spent so much time and energy in Remy's training at the kennels at work, and after eight months, I am finally enjoying some peace! Four months after adopting him though, I had resigned myself to the fact that Remy would never be alright in the dog kennel.  I had to make arrangements with my coworkers to let him out at home, or drive an hour to and from work over my lunch break to let him out.  Now, I finally see a glimmer of hope.  

In the past two weeks, I've had to take Remy to the office with me for various reasons when I would have normally kept him at home.  Instead of barking at the door of the kennel and shaking, Remy will walk right into to the kennels quietly!  Instead of constant, ear-piercing barking, Remy will settle down quietly in his cage after about five or ten minutes!  Instead of getting wound up even further when people walk into the dog kennel, Remy will now wake up and calmly come to the door of the kennel and not bark, whine or even jump up on the door!  I honestly cannot put into words how dramatic this change is for him.

Some of these behaviors are the direct result of his training, but I think the overall success of his kennel experience has been from gaining confidence and trust.  He still has some anxiety around dogs, but with all of the socializing I have done with him, he is definitely more confident with them.  I also think that over the past eight months he can now trust that I will return even after I leave him in a kennel.

Regardless of the reason, I am such a proud momma!

Keeping Busy

Time has just been flying by!  Remember back as a young child when you couldn't wait for the weekend, for the summer, for your birthday, for Christmas?  I never thought I would reach a point in my life that time would go by so quickly, that those most anticipated dates of the year would come before I knew it.  But I guess I finally grew up and these days, I feel like I could use another 24 hours in every day.

With that said, I've really tried to make the most of my weekends, realizing the work week is just crazy and rarely anything happens outside of work during those days.  Last weekend I was able to spend time outdoors, enjoying the beautiful fall colors.  Remy's been my buddy on these journeys. He loves doing pretty much anything with me, but if other dogs are involved, it's a blast for him!  Remy and I joined up with my coworkers and their dogs to hike a portion of the AT.  We left cars at the start and endpoints.  The drive back with 3 people and 4 dogs in my car was quite a hoot!  Thankfully three of them fell asleep.  Can you guess which one was wide awake?

Fall Colors

This is such a beautiful time of the year.  It's so wonderful that I finally have a dog to share it with, to motivate me to get outside every single day, to witness the amazing changes in nature.  This video clip was taken in York County, as Remy and I drove to the dog park.

Traveling

Here are some pictures from our trip to Dallas.  Unfortunately my trip was quite uneventful, with a busy conference, followed by several days of sickness.  I managed to squeeze a few sight-seeing hours in prior to the conference and just before flying home, but I didn't really experience Texas like I had hoped.  We'll have to return!

Arts School

Mural on a Catholic community building, within the arts district

Pretty terraces on an apartment building

I liked the flower garden at this restaurant.  We didn't eat here, though.  Just passing through!

Dallas landscape, including our hotel.

Gorgeous landscaping at a business building.

Pretty architecture

Dallas cityscape

Texas Punch-buggy at the State Fair

State Fair

Big Tex at the State Fair

Stampede!  This was a unique sculptural depiction right downtown

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Mr. Speedy

Check out Mr. Speedy!  Isn't he handsome?  We've been riding along York's Rails to Trails path and he has no problem with a six mile run while I bike.  I timed him with a handy dandy app and he maintains a steady six minute mile.  I would be dead if I ever ran that fast, let alone that long!