So much has happened since April 2012 when I last posted. In late May, I landed a fabulous job providing legal advice to School Boards ( ~ yes, multiple Boards) starting in early July. Each work day flashes by with the variety of issues that most of the public don't know even affects School Boards. Human rights issues, privacy and access to information issues, labour and employment issues, criminal and family law issues, construction and tendering issues are just some of the matters that I am presented with regularly. And I looooove the work. I love stretching intellectually and being prodded to look at an issue from yet another perspective. Happily, my hours aren't as full-time as many in the profession and we work shorter hours in the summer (when schools are closed). The clients are excellent to work with as well.
In late May, my dh made the fatal mistake of phoning home to admit that the one thing his supervisor regretted was not getting a dog for his children. I asked him, "Does this mean you are ready for a dog?" (as K & N had been begging for one for years). When he acknowledged he was (on multiple conditions), I went to the local equivalent to Craigslist and scrolled down. There was a new entry on the first page describing a 8 month old bichon-shih tzu mix named Gracie. K, N & I met Gracie that evening. It was obvious that her first home wasn't a good fit for either the dog or the family because the family was too occupied with work, young children and other pets. In questioning the first family, I discovered that Gracie wasn't being cared for as she should be and it was important to remove her from the home. Although I hesitated adopting Gracie (because she was so excited that she ran the livingroom in loops), K & N were determined to take her home. I crossed my fingers and purchased Gracie because I knew the breeder/kennel from which Gracie came. The breeder offered amazing support for both Gracie & me.As Gracie had been enrolled in dog training classes, I attended with her immediately to discover that the reason why her first owners rid of her was because she soiled in the house (which wasn't a surprise considering she had already soiled in our house). As the dog trainer was willing to permit me to return with Gracie later in a new session, I then focused on indoor training. I had to wear her leash from a belt on my waist or, if she wasn't able to be supervised directly by me, she was placed in her kennel to ensure she didn't sneak off to relieve herself (most frequently on carpet). We had to earn each other's trust. Initially, she didn't want to go into the basement (& I suspect this was because she was left unattended in the previous owners' basement for hours). We took her on her first walk and she didn't even stop to sniff scents but she figured that out quickly!
In July and August, we did obedience training and I worked her through her paces. I was walking Gracie approximately 2 hours per day. When we took possession of her, I had to purchase a collar and her leash; she didn't have a local dog license because she never left the first owner's house.
It has been delightful watching Gracie explore the seasons. She has absolutely loved winter so far!
Without a doubt, Gracie was the 3rd child that filled a void in our household. Yes, she is extra work but she has fit in so well!
