Soles and Sleeves

Since it's Christmas I figured I'd take a little break and instead, bring you some joy via the one who brings me joy... Bogart!


Of course, he's modeling some of the latest fashions...!

November has arrived and with a vengeance! It's cold and rainy and WINDY! Such a shock, considering we were in the 80's last week!

Regardless of where you live, I'm sure you heard about Atlanta's snowpocalypse that literally shut down the city early this year. Rumors on the weather mill say this year's winter will be even worse, so warm items are a MUST. I'm wasting no time and breaking out the big guns — my fur vest.

BRRRR

Athens. The word may be small but it has had a massive impact on my life.

As I enter my last night in this place, I'm finding it harder and harder to say goodbye. My time here will impact the rest of my life. I've had good times, stressful times, and terrible times - but I wouldn't change them for the world.

Places like Six Flags and other theme parks make their money off the beloved roller coasters. Patrons love the feeling of flipping, spinning, and stomach dropping. But it's completely different when the roller coaster you're on is an emotional one.

Not a surprise to anyone, this past week has been tough. I've cried enough to float Moses down the river and then some. I'm not myself; I'm quiet, sleeping 12 hours, emotionless, and just bleh.
But today takes the cake for emotional roller coaster rides.

I woke up from a terrible dream about Bogart.  Long story short, he'd been attacked by a Pit Bull and wasn't doing well. Normally when I have a dream like that I can just call his name and give his head a pat, but no. This nightmare woke me up just minutes before my alarm, which in itself is one of the worst things ever. So my day started with the image of a hurting, frightened, and not very good B. Part of me was all worried that it was a Harry Potter-Arthur Weasley being attacked by Nagini dream, but I know A- there aren't any Pit's where B is, and B- I know that's not possible where he is. But the paranoid part of me took over.

I was so exhausted I decided to go to Jittery Joes this morning and pick up coffee and a muffin (how profesh?) before heading to my internship for 9 hours. Now, some of you know that I have a heart condition. Basically my heart beats rhythm is off and will race for no reason- I can be sitting on the floor putting mascara on and I'm breathing as if I just sprinted a marathon. I guess my medicine hadn't kicked in by the time I started drinking it because for the entire day I was slightly shaking and just overall feeling weird, but I carried on. I got in the office and saw someone brought doughnuts. Anyone who knows me knows I can't resist any donut, much less a good one, so I ate that instead of my blueberry muffin.

My puppy raiser friend had to come in this morning to do something, so we had a nice chat about B and the dogs in general. At one point we were talking about getting an e-mail if they were doing something out of the ordinary (I know, super vague, but that's not the point). She left shortly after. Shortly after that my phone vibrated indicating that I had an e-mail. I opened up my mail and saw I had an e-mail from the foundation, entitled "A note for you from the training center!". Naturally I had to open it then. I couldn't wait a second longer, much less a few more hours until my lunch break.

As I read I had to fight back tears. It talked about all the things he's going to be doing while getting settled up there, including getting another tattoo- and it's not a heart with my name through it. I mean, I couldn't be the intern sitting at her computer crying. Talk about lame. So I fought back the tears until I read the closing (right). That's when it got really tough. But I took some deep breaths, smiled, and choked them back. I forwarded the e-mail my parents and wished it was lunchtime so I could go home and cry.

The time has come. In just 3 days B goes in for training and journeys up to New York and begins his next chapter.

I remember first coming to UGA and seeing the puppies everywhere. I finally mustered up the courage to ask someone about it one day. I'm pretty sure I signed up that night. Growing up, I always had a dog in my life. When I moved to Athens I was slightly lost and alone because I no longer had that companionship in my life.

It was 5 days after my 21st birthday when I picked him up. I like to think he was a gift from my late grandma. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Life with a puppy was nothing short of interesting- but that's what happens when you add someone new into your life- and I wouldn't change a minute of it. Every day that went by our bond grew stronger and stronger, and it wasn't long until he was my best friend. To this day he knows exactly what to do to make me feel better.

Last week my baby had his first birthday. So, to pay homage to him and his first year of life, I give you this: a blog full of cuteness that is my baby.

the day I picked him up!

Wacthing Family Feud.. ironically it was a question about dogs!

He's been stubborn since the beginning!

He wanted to come to London with me

Cat beds.. Because he fits...?

My boys! B and Rowdy!

He has a human tendency to sleep on pillows

<3

Halloween- Petey from Little Rascals

Halloween!