Somewhere between my first two posts and today I have: travelled cross country several times, made new great friends, dumped really toxic old ones, had my heart broken, stretched the limits of my marriage, worked at an animal shelter, left the shelter, volunteered as the National Finance Director for UniteWomen.org and then, left and led a coup against it!!! Seems, starting new adventures and abandoning them are a habit for me – judge not! I lovingly go into encounters, not always choosing what is healthiest, having to leave when the toxicity proves to be soul damaging and endangering! I have pretty much perfected the cut and run muscle, when I feel I am into something toxic. The muscle set I am working on now is the don’t-fall-into-toxic-in-the-first-place -ya –big- dummy, set.

As I return to the “Bark Side of the Moon” I am fret with fear and inhibitions; feelings that I will be judged or critiqued. It has taken months for me to sit down and realize that I need to do this, regardless. This morning as I pulled an inspiration card from my tarot set, I am reminded. The 8 of swords was this morning’s vibe – and not surprisingly here is where I am guided: “you feel caged, trapped, and restricted. You will have a tendency to sabotage yourself, and the walls & fences you have created – none of it is real; it is all in your mind. Don’t lock yourself away; share your thoughts & ideas with friends. This is a time for learning.” Hmmmmm, fences.

 So (insert a few big deep breaths here) I am embarking (heh heh) on this, my personal insights & journey with my canine crew. I find often that through their antics and interactions I find my voice, the one that heeds thought and rumination, rather than the one that reacts and just wants to blabber. Wondrously, sometimes their voices, speak to me. . . (Grin)

Dog blog is back! My dogs are my life. I wake with them, fall asleep to them, spend my day wrestling, cleaning up after, walking, running, admonishing, petting, kissing and loving them. They are three distinct personalities, with three very unique voices and messages to the world. And then there is my voice. Anytime one visits the Bark side, they are gonna hear from one of us, if not all three. For sake of clarity, today’s blog is the primer of the four voices that reside at Lord Harrison House (we live on the street Lord Harrison, thus the la tee dah name of our house- hey if Rhett can have Tara I can have LHH!)

The Alpha in our house, the human voice is me, Xtina. I am prone to long rambles that segue into longer rambles, wherein I will always try to make you believe I am making a long story short… the truth? They are all long stories and shortening them to a certain extent ruins the message, so to make a long intro short (grin). You will know my voice; overly serious and philosophical, trying to draw conclusions from comparisons and always always always digging deeper into the meaning of things, my philosophy on where I stand is basically, love me or leave me and if ya don’t like me, eff off. My time is short and precious, as is yours, therefore, if I am not for you, kindly move on.

Bodhi aka Little Blonde Dog is our 10 yr old Shih Tzu, he is the Alpha DOG and will not waste a moment to exert it. Bodhi’s motto on most things is his way or the highway. When it comes to love and liking him he can and will state time and time again “you sir or madam will be summoned when I wish to let you love me”. And you will stand in line to love him when he requests the honor of your presence, because he IS just that adorable!

Ms. Mitzi, or Baby Ponydog is our 3 yr old Harlequin Great Dane. She is the best girl in the world. My only formally trained dog; she is a doll with her big goofy feet and huge pink nose always in your face. She will look at you coyly and beg you to love her “please please puuhhhllleeeezzeeeee love me” as she bats her eyelashes at you and tries to sit your lap. You will love her, immediately because never has there been a sweeter spirit than our Mitzi girl!

The baby is Super Fresh Jazzy J, or JJ. our rescue Pit Bull who just turned a year in January. His adoption story to follow. He is our bulldozer pup. JJ’s philosophy on loving and accepting him? “I’m gonna love you bitch” as he throws his 80 lb. body all over yours. No kidding, you WILL love him, if for no other reason you cannot get away.

They are full of love and fun & silly dog shaming antics; which we share. Always, as you reflect on us, look at yourself and reflect. It’s my mission through our love & sharing to have a better understanding of myself and help others you feel hope, forgiveness and your “humanness” and well, laugh at plain ole dog stuff too. So if you are ready, come join our pack!