you're not happy unless you think you're happy.

 “Either once only, or every day. If you do something once it’s exciting, and if you do it every day it’s exciting. But if you do it, say, twice or just almost every day, it’s not good any more.” -Andy Warhol

What's my point? It has to be constant and everyday!

Starting today (with my am yoga burn routine) I am going to get back into doing yoga EVERY day. Whether it be a quick 15 min work out or a full hour of yoga burn or flow.

Everyone should have a morning routine to start their day right. It sets the pace for what the rest of your day is going to be like. I want mine to be full of more energy and happiness.

This is my happiness project.

Yoga everyday, green tea, and puppy walks.
I already eat a good breakfast everyday. I've made that a habit.

There are a lot of negative things in the world and even the happiest of us are constantly fighting them.
Don't kid yourself bad stuff happens. We sometimes feel lost or depressed and you have to acknowledge that first.

I have such few real friends I can count them on one hand. In fact the only three people I converse with on a regular basis = 3. My husband, my sister and my rock bre.

I like to think of myself as an outgoing and friendly person. I like to give everyone a chance, but I can't seem to find people who are the easy going people I hope to find.

I want more good REAL honest people in my life. It sucks wanting to do something like go for a walk or go to a park and then get stuck going alone. Once in a while it's definitely good, but not all the time.

It probably stems back to being an outcast because lets be honest I was never the popular type. I was insecure and I learned to mask that by being loud and outgoing. I never feel smart enough, talented enough, hip enough, or cool enough for half the people out there.

But I know that half of them are probably putting on a show too because they're just as insecure.

Anyways, I want to be proactive about this debby downer issue. I need some friends.
I need to find a new way to make some more real friends.
Any groups out there I can join?
Suggestions?
Friends? haha

Do what's right

So, I emailed denise who did puppy classes with us and she's going to come next Sunday to help us work with dexter and his anxiety.  She thinks we,should be able to nip it in the bud, since overall he's a well mannered dog. 

I want to train my dog right and I want him to be happy and comfortable, so this is our next step and I'm excited!

Reach out for help early on!

rich in love

I just want to say that yesterday was GORGEOUS!
it was almost 60 and sunny with just a bit of wind but it felt so good to walk and feel sun on your face!

So on my day off Brandon and I decided to take dexter for another walk.
He is SO good now on a leash! He never barks at any other dogs. I don't know if its because he's used to socializing with other dogs from the puppy classes and barking lot but he doesnt care to bark at another dog. He does sometimes get distracted and stops to look but doesnt put up a fuss.

He walks by people no problem its just...awesome!

Today I walked him again, and after our walk we did a couple minutes of "stay". We worked on noises. I left him at the bedroom walked down the hall and opened the door to the pantry/doggy treat door and closed it hard. He DID NOT move!  after about 30 seconds i came down the hall to praise him.

I was able to get down the stairs in the kitchen today too NO problems at all! I even touched the bells on the door (for his potty) and then came up the stairs down the hall and he still STAYED! of course after i praised and released him he ran down the hall to the kitchen to the bells to see who was here hahah.

He seems to be retaining this info pretty good even though hes crated. Brandon says when he comes home it doenst appear to be as drooly and last time it did not look like he made any attemps to chew on his crate. Here's hoping today will be the same if not better. He's only going to be in there for less than 2 hrs.


thinking about starting a full on dog blog since thats what this has become haha. I'm not an expert by any means but its a day by day process of retraining yourself more so than your dog.

No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich- Louis Sabin

with that said...I'm out....theres a dog sleeping on my feet ha

Stay day 2

Well, my keys are definitely a trigger for dexter getting anxious to me leaving. So, today I picked up my keys and carried them around jingling while I matched socks and had breakfast. 

I have to keep showing positive recognition also, when he goes outside for me. Right now, half the time its a stare down because he doesn't want to go out in the cold.

So we practiced stay in the bedroom where we keep his crate. I have not done it yet in the crate.  I was fine getting down the hall but once I walked down the kitchen stairs and touched the floor near the door he would come running.  So we went back to the room and tried again 2nd, and third time he stayed!

Alas, I had to go to work so I set his toys in the crate and decided to crack the curtains, when I turned around he was just sitting in his crate haha.

I started reading. The power of positive dog training
By pat miller....read it!

Stay

I really wish we would've worked more on "stay" like our puppy class teacher said.  Now, its harder.

This morning I didn't have much time but a little so I had dexter sit in the bedroom and stay using the word and hand gesture. I took a step back then praised.  I managed to get down the hall and into the kitchen by the end.  I want to start this in his crate later. I work until 5 but brandon gets home by 2 I'm hoping he can play with him then maybe work on stay in the crate .

Dog goneit

Well my puppy has separation anxiety. The first step is admitting!

Now....what to try to fix it.  I'm going to start with diffusing triggers that he associates with me leaving.  I'm going to randomly put my shoes and coat on but sit down to watch tv or have breakfast.  As days go on I'm going to keep mixing it up by picking up my keys and purse and then go do my hair.  

When we get home were going to continue giving little attention at first.

Were going to start practicing putting him in the crate and taking a step back. We'll wait a minute then let him out and praise if he remained calm.  I hope to get to 5 minutes tomorrow.  I just hope he doesn't regress when I have to crate him Sunday for work.  That's my biggest fear.

We're going to keep working on walks and heel to keep establishing alpha position.  I think by also getting him to stay and let me walk up the stairs first will help with alpha position too.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.  

We will start by saying his anxiety is a 10 just for scale sake and ill keep track of his progress!

home sweet home

So we finally closed on our house last monday! It's been crazy hectic ever since just working on all the different things in the house. We have spent a good chunk of change on paint, flooring, molding.

It was worth it! It's coming along great and once we officially move in (hopefully next week!) I'll have time to breathe again. So i'm not ignoring anyone, I promise! Just very very very busy. I hope you all understand <3

Here's some pictures of the progress so far :)

home owners!

living room before 

living room after. new paint, floors and railing

bathroom color!

and of course...it wouldn't be complete without dexter <3

I'm so happy :) and we havent done our taxes yet because we're waiting for brandons' w-2 but i started them and lets just say the amount i'm getting back alone is INSANE! stoked :)