So no I have no vanished from the Earth. Beckett and I are still here and if you couldn't tell by the title things are about to change for us. Unfortunately for me what was promised to be only so many weeks of endless nausea and vomiting turned out to go on and on and on... Blogging was not my first concern. Luckily a couple months ago I turned the corner, but that meant catching up on everything else I had let slip (and I had let everything slip).
Beckett has been amazing with the changes so far, but even as I had stop blogging it didn't mean I was not trying to prepare Beckett (and myself) for what is ahead. A nearby training facility offers Dog and Stork seminars, I marked them on the calendar and went to the first one I could manage (physically).
Anyways, I thought I would write a little about it.
First and foremost what the best part of the dogs and storks lecture was the lecturer, she felt real. She gave practical advice, understood that at some point we will become overwhelmed and offered to be our resource in anytime of need. "Call" "I've been there, I've had those days when you don't think you can manage, and I want you to know you can call me and I'll help or if I can't, I'll find you the resources you need." For someone like myself so far from family and my support network that sort of reassurance is priceless - and a wondrous thing for a stranger to offer.
Back to the class. The presentation focused mostly on babies, was packed with advice, and tips for keeping things safe. A lot of it seemed like common sense, but it felt good to have everything all in one place. It had a lot more helpful tips compared to some of the other prenatal classes I took (which costs hundred of dollars). In fact, I can't think of a better use of 25$. The presenter took time to ask questions, make sure we understood, and offer advice on our specific situations. One couple had a dog that was hyper, another a barker, and so forth. She spent time with everyone.
I have to tell you though, my main concern with Beckett is not babies or children (of course these are also a huge concern) but what makes me the most nervous is that in between toddler stage. Beckett is very nervous around those oddly moving small tippy things. Adding to his already nervousness is when I volunteered as return coordinator for an adoption group I had two main return causes - the first was toddlers.
For some reason I assumed it would be babies, but it wasn't. Of course like in all things there was a spectrum. People who had put every effort into making their dog comfortable with the new life situation and people who didn't, but the end result was the same - they felt it was best for the dog.
Still I'm happy I have Beckett here and I'm sure we will make things work. Together we have been through so much, coming off the track, graduate school, living in the city with roommates in a apartment, moving, new house, having a husband around - if we've made it this far together...
Still I'd love to here advice - how have you managed to make dogs and children work?
