Saying Goodbye to Xanga

Reason number 5,642 I am hesitant to have children

When we first saw Gus' listing on Craigslist nearly two years ago, he was pitched to the general public as a "small lab mix."  Sure, there was a tiny little mention of "may have SOME border collie in him" buried way under the cute photos of helpless little puppy with no hair around his eyes who desperately needed the love of a good owner...and a vet.  We brought him home, gave him a good scrub, and made our vet appointment where we found out he was probably mostly border collie with SOME lab and maybe a little bit of some kind of terrier thrown in for good measure.  It was then I knew our lives were about to change.  While border collies are well known for their exceptional intelligence and fun-loving personalities, they are also known for their endless energy and not so cute little neurotic habits.  I remember looking at Andy, shrugging my shoulders and saying, "Don't look at me, I wanted a nice little poodle mix." But it was too late. 

Within the first week our new little challenge had eaten one pair of glasses, two remotes, one cell phone, and countless Gatorade caps.  He still steals gatorade caps when given the opportunity, but luckily he's grown into a semi well-behaved dog. However, in order to keep him that way he requires A LOT of attention and exercise. But not just any old exercise.  He's picky.  He doesn't get into frisbees or balls like nice normal dogs.  Well, he'll chase a ball but the concept of bringing it back to the human is completely lost on him.  He requires something to chase or herd or pester into a frenzy, as many of the dogs in our neighborhood can attest.

One of the things I covet most about larger cities is the prevalence of dog parks.  Most of the dog parks in Columbus are way out in the suburbs and demand a million dollars in membership fees every year which is just not going to happen. There are a few off-leash parks in our neighborhood, but none that are fenced and I'm always just a little bit afraid that Gus is just going to keep running.  That happened to us a few times when he was younger and while he's gotten better at coming when he's called, he still gets into a zone when he's running that is difficult to snap him out of and I'm not one to tempt fate.  

Yesterday on one of our many daily walks in our new neighborhood, I decided to wander a bit farther than I usually do and lo and behold, I stumbled upon Gus' version of Christmas and his birthday combined. A dog park!  At first I was a bit hesitant because the place was packed with very large breed dogs and pit bulls and I am always just a tiny bit afraid that Gus' playfulness is going to get him in over his skinny little border collie head. My fear quickly subsided when he found a nice little Aussie to pal around with right away.  We stayed for about an hour and by the time we got home Gus was spent.

Andy and I headed back there first thing this morning because we figured this would be a good way to start our days living in a tiny little one bedroom apartment.  The park was a bit more empty and the dogs were smaller, but it had the desired affect on little Gus.  As I type this he is sleeping soundly beside my chair where he has been since we got back to the apartment. 

Gus trying to get his ball back from Charlie, the hyper-active pit bull.  He was relatively unsuccessful in his endeavor.

Toby, the Aussie. Gus liked him.

This is Lurch. He's a Min Pin.  I liked him a lot, he had a lot of personality for such a tiny little thing.

At some point, Charlie decided that he and I were best friends and he sat much like this staring intently at me for very long periods of time. I'd like to think it was because I'm so pretty, but I think it had a lot to do with the treats in my pocket.

We're Here!

We arrived tonight in wonderfully temperate Venice Beach to a cute little apartment, a seemingly thorough neighborhood guide typed up by our resident, and several tempting takeout menus.  We were about 10 minutes too late to take advantage of what looks like a darling little neighborhood Chinese restaurant, but I’m sure tomorrow will afford us our opportunity.  

For those of you who have been following Andy’s updates from the road, you know that the road trip went relatively seamlessly. We even managed to escape the notoriously horrid LA traffic!  Gus was a darling the whole way.  There was the occasional longing whine as we passed by a field full of aimless cows just crying out for a cute little Border Collie to come and herd them, but all in all no barking, no crazy jumping around, no offensive behavior at all.  That’s pretty remarkable, I think.  

There is much more to write, but it's late and my poor body has just been subjected to 3 days of driving so I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow Team Soell goes back to work.  

Check out the map for more pictures.

2009, Here We Come

My friend (and business partner), Philip Raymond Boltz is getting married tonight and amidst all the after holiday haze I haven't been motivated to do anything but what I absolutely HAVE to do in order to survive. October-December really took it out of me. Among the other daunting tasks I have ahead of me (read: taking shower, shaving legs, moving about) I have to find something to wear to this shindig.  People generally appreciate it when you don't attend their wedding in bright blue sweatpants, I guess.   Oh, and I haven't told you about this yet, Internet, but Team Soell, -cats, is going to California for a month and we're leaving on Sunday. And we're driving. With Gus. 

 While I am super excited about this development, this means there is a lot of planning ahead and packing and cleaning to be done (so our house sitting friends are not forced to live with a month's accumulation of dishes and Christmas shrapnel up to their ears).  And yet there are still parties to attend and visitors to welcome and one small dinner party of our own to host...all those things that come with the holiday territory. Just thinking about it makes me want to reach for a pillow.

Getting back to the very important topic of my outfit...I don't know why, but I always feel a little bit of extra pressure to dress up to ring in the new year. Like somehow, what I am wearing will set the tone for the year. The ante is sufficiently up'd when there is a wedding involved.  The problem lies in the fact that most of my winter clothes still haven't come down from the attic and thus smell of cedar and moth balls. We don't even HAVE moth balls and they still wreak. Must be the 100 years of other people living here who had moth balls. The rest of my clothes are either dirty or in an unsalvagable heap on my closet floor. So, I will show you what I came up with last night.  

What you're looking at here is a not-at-all-appropriate-for-the-weather dress, the only pair of tights I have in my house at this moment, and a very dirty bathroom floor. I will feel a little ridiculous in those tights, but baby, it's cold outside so bring on the ridiculous.  I guess I'll just have to drink a lot of wine to stay warm :).  

 I hope you all have a happy (and safe!) new years eve surrounded by people that you love.  This is me signing out for the year.  Goodbye, 2008.  You were a tough year, but I think I liked you. 

Happy Holidays!

Every year I plan to get a jump start on the holidays.  Be crafty! Make my gifts! Decorate my house like Martha Stewart! NOT spend 4 days straight in my sweatpants chained to my computer!  But alas, year after year I am only met with a relative amount of success (relative success = accomplishing ONE of those things).  This year, I was met with complete failure.  To that end I am just getting my digital Holiday card put together, but late is better than never, right?   Andy, Gus, the kitties, and I would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season.  I know we're too late for Christmas, but hey! At least I'm in time for New Years :).  

Disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the production of this holiday card.  However, a couple of humans found themselves really, really frustrated and a little scratched up.