midweek afternoon walks

Is there anything more heavenly, rejuvenating or relaxing than a walk through nature after a stifling day in the office?  I've been skipping out of work earlier and earlier this week, putting leashes on the puppies and heading down to the neighbourhood pond - where spring is well and truly underway.  I've been enjoying sights like these all week:

My favourite thing, no question, about Texas is spring.  Not only are the wildflowers ridiculously breathtaking - but wild berries grow all around, often in the oddest places!  Nowhere else have I seen raspberries, blueberries and mulberries growing so matter-of-factly and, well, blatantly!  In road islands, sidewalks, forest trails, unsuspecting garden bed and children's playgrounds!  Here is a small sample of what the neighbourhood pond currently looks like:

And the forest trail around the pond:

things I'll miss about living here | No.2 happy doggies

My doggies are my children so that being said, their security / confidence/ happiness is important to me.  They were ok with highrise living in Atlanta, where they would wait inside all day until we got home from work and take them for a walk, but they really really love having a yard and all the other features that come with this place!

After living here for a year, they're familiar with the streets and the directions in which lay their park, the grocery store, vet and of course, where their little friends live.  On our walks, we always have to stop outside the gate where Banjo lives and then the gate where Sunny lives so they can say hello.  Even though they don't realise such a big change is coming, I feel sad about uprooting their lives and sense of familiarity, placing them into a brand new setting (again) where they will have to relearn where everything is (again).  I don't know if this makes dogs as insecure as it makes children feel, but I worry all the same. They're presently so blissfully happy!

One of my personal favourite features, and one that I will miss most dearly about living here, is how super sweet all the neighbours are towards them; always stopping for a pat, a scratch behind the ears or just a friendly 'hey there Baxter!', 'hello little Dorothy!'  when they see them outside.  It warms my heart.  Over time, all of our neighbours have become okay with the doggies running around our front yards off their leashes chasing balls, birds, squirrels, being silly... just like children... while we stand talking to one another and supervising them... just like parents.

It all makes me apprehensive about moving away.  Will our new neighbours like our doggies?  Will they even care?  Apathy is better than intolerance but I dislike the thought of keeping them on their leashes 100% of the time outside when they are good doggies that can be trusted, simply because our neighbours may not be dog people.  Both Bax and D have become a lot more confidant and trusting of people since we moved here, I'd hate for them to regress....

celebrate the small things | June 20

Here we are on the last official day of spring and I'm a part of the official celebrate the small things bloghop once more! YAY!  It's such a wonderful way to be reminded of your blessings that I encourage everyone to sign up and join this very happy community!  There's nothing better every Friday - the best day of the week already! - than sharing in lots of joy with others!

This week I'm  celebrating:

•  the fact that my birdfeeder has attracted two new bird species that I've never seen before! (I know this is a reoccurring theme but it's MY celebration, SO :p!!)  Now I not only see the regulars (blue jays, Inca doves, golden finches and cardinals) eating outside my window, but I also see:

tufted titmouse (s or is it titmice?)

#157695299 / gettyimages.com

and black capped chickadees

#88962040 / gettyimages.com

I couldn't be happier!  Both of these guys have the sweetest chirps and songs!

• while I haven't got any good photos of them yet - and had to borrow the above from getty - I'm celebrating that I was able to snap my best shot (yet) of three, young neighbourhood white-tailed stags during a walk with the pups!

• Next, was a particularly wonderful trip to Bull Creek where the puppies went swimming for the first time in their lives!  Baxter, my poodle, is working on a blog post about it: which includes a video of his first attempts and will be up by the end of the day!  You can check it out at his blog right here. I'm celebrating this because as a mama (even a doggy mama) your children's successes tend to be your own and I was beaming with pride.  Not to mention, it was the most fun we've had as a family in ... well ever!
• I'm also celebrating the fact that yesterday I was able to accompany Will on a work trip to Surfside Beach, where we had a wonderful lunch and spent some time on the shore (post & pics to follow).  As we stood there, with the sand between our toes and salty air on our skin, Will and I decided to take a spontaneous mini-break!  So, first thing Sunday, we are off to South Padre Island for a few days! Yipee!  I feel so lucky and blessed in our ability to get up and go like that :)  I will never take these things for granted and will continue to celebrate our freedom, this country and our marriage forever!
• and another wonderful girls' night on Tuesday with my lovely new friend

Life is wonderful!  I look forward to posting all about our adventure to the island with lots of photos and I hope that where ever you are, you have a terrific weekend!  Welcome to summer!  (Or winter, to all you Aussies x) 

the weekend

Will and I have had three wonderful, and extremely different,weekends in a row!  This one was low key and just spent alone or with the dogs, but we needed to recharge our batteries and as cliche' as it sounds: we needed to reconnect.  The pups had been boarded during our weekend in Dallas and they were left at home for last weekend's adventure too, so for Will and I, treating them to something fun was priority.  

One of their favourite things (and a fave family activity of mine) is to go hiking in nature.  Austin is the perfect place for this, with tons of walking trails and creeks connected to most of her city parks that are scattered around the place.  Neither Will nor I have ever previously lived in a city with as many parks and walking trails... nor had we come across a more dog-friendly city: where if a restaurant has outside dining, it's a safe bet that you can bring your pooch along and where most of the city parks and walking trails allow them off their leashes, to run, get wet, be free and experience nature as they were meant to!  The only problem becomes which park to chose... 

Blessed with perfect weather that was neither too hot nor raining on Saturday, we chose Emma Long park (with one of the longer trails) and set off after a late breakfast; where we walked a distance of 6 miles amongst wildflowers, wildlife and fresh air - and had the best time! 

 

It warms our heart to watch our little house dogs jump right into the water, or the bushes, or just run like mad and then rest in the dustiest spot they can find: both so unafraid of the unknown and so comfortable with the outdoors. Something that continues to baffle me since they're both big-city, small-apartment dogs with no prior outdoor experience!

I love the feeling of freedom that we each get during these hikes.  Will and I talk while 'the kids' run like mad - checking up on us periodically but only bothering us when they're thirsty or a particularly large dog is approaching.  We get a chance to talk about the things that we never have time for during the work week and to make plans.  Another thing about these walks & talks is that 6 miles takes quite a while... so after all regular conversation is exhausted, a bunch of topics come up that wouldn't normally.  Like my fave from this latest hike: the compilation of our 'joint' bucket list!  We took what we each had on our individual lists and made adjustments to combine them into one. :) 

So Saturday ended on a blissful note: we returned home at peace and contented.  Bathed the dogs, made dinner (fresh halibut, quinoa and salad) then settled down in front of the telly to watch a movie (Pompeii, the latest version: it sucked!) before doing to sleep.  On Sunday we took a drive to another small nearby town called Wimberley and sampled 'Austin's best BBQ' along the way... that post and plenty of pics coming up!

knowing unconditional love

Baxter and Dorothy are truly opposites.  They're sensitive about different things; have different preferences regarding toys, games, food, people and social activities; and they comfort me in completely different ways.

Whenever I'm feeling ill - particularly with a headache or stomach troubles - there's no one better than Dorothy.  She can sense my pain from across the house and is there for me in an instant!  While I'm hurting she doesn't ever leave my side, following me room to room waiting for me to settle somewhere so she can plant herself on top of me.  Once in she's in this position, she won't stir or like me to pat her the way she normally does.  She'll tolerate it in an irritated sort of way, pointedly demonstrating the absence of her usual enjoyment because her job at that moment is to comfort me, soothe me.  She needs to ensure I'm feeling better, without seeking a reward for herself and somehow my patting her defeats that purpose.

She watches me with brown, understanding eyes and if I make eye contact she doesn't break it as she usually would.  During these times when I'm feeling ill, she holds my gaze and communicates with me how much she cares, wants to take away the pain and make me feel better.  I don't know how anyone wouldn't.

As Dorothy and I bond through silent communication, Baxter goes about his business as usual, totally oblivious to my suffering (well, he is a male after all :P).  He brings me every toy from his box until they're scattered all around where-ever I've made myself comfortable, hoping I'll choose one to play with him with.  There are balls brought in hopes of a throw, ropes in hopes of a tug, outside toys in an obvious let-me-outside-I'm-bored declaration, even the snuggle-buddy his sister sleeps with is dragged from her pen in desperation as he stands nearby and waits; excitedly wagging his tail.  After that doesn't work, he sits by the backdoor obviously staring at me hoping to be let out, completely indifferent to the angry scolds Dorothy and I both shoot his way, until finally he'll let out a deep, exasperated sigh and go off to take a nap.

Baxter is hopeless at comforting me when I'm sick.  His area of expertise and moment to shine is when I get upset. Truly, no living being has ever been better at comforting me when I'm upset or in a funk.  The comfort-angle he chooses is very different to his sister's one of empathy, it's one of cheek.  Another clear example of them being opposites since Dorothy hides when I'm upset, either not wanting to make it somehow worse or simply not wanting to receive any of my negative energy.

The whole thing usually begins when I start to cry.  Baxter's radar instantly picks up on this sudden atmospheric change and he's by my side in a flash.  His first response, while I sob, is to make his body as malleable and teddy bear like as possible.  He waits patiently as I bury my head in his fur, squeeze him, moan loudly in his ears and shake him all about as I hyperventilate.  This continues for as long as I sob, once I settle he takes charge of things and his mission is clear: cheer mummy up stat.  He starts by squirming out of my death-grip and positioning himself so that we're face to face, then he begins to actually kiss my tears away!  One by one as they drop he catches them or mops up an entire, preexisting flow.  No matter how upset I've ever been, I always take a moment to appreciate how special this moment is.  I often wonder, when both dogs are settled beside me on the couch, how many people miss out on experiencing true, unconditional love because they don't have dogs.

Back to Baxter: after he's licked every tear off my face, he ensures my hands are free by nudging whatever's in them out and then begins phase two of his mission: make mummy laugh.  He does this by positioning himself either on (if there's enough room) or beside me on his back, legs in the air and insists on me rubbing his belly.  This purely innocent self-gratifying act and the way he's convinced it will help me usually, at least, gets me to smile.  If after several minutes my tears still flow or I haven't laughed, Baxter brings out the big guns: a very special, last resort method of jumping up and forcing me to laugh by tickling my neck!  I don't know how he figured out this was a ticklish spot but he never, ever fails to cheer me up at this special op phase #3.  He breaths fast and loud, in and out (like puppies do) right beside my ear and neck, nuzzling me until I'm laughing.  When at last he's satisfied that I'm ok again, he holds his head high: regal and proud - another meltdown averted.  Mummy is smiling once more.

We've had Dorothy (unbelievably) just over a year and October marked three years with Baxter in our lives.  A one-of-a-kind, loving mutt and a funny, particular, sensitive, incredible poodle whose daily dose of intellect never fails to amaze me.  I often try but can't remember how I got through life before them.  How could I stand crying or ailing all alone?  Without a caring dachshund mix or a witty mini-poodle, how did I ever recover from anything?

These small dogs are two giant blessings in my life.  I know that all dog owners know that their canine companions never care about them looking unkempt or being unshaven, un-showered, sleepy eyed, having morning breath or garlic breath, being snotty or otherwise infected.  They don't shy away from or judge us in anyway, seeing past the surface appearance straight into our heart.

For all these and so many more reasons, I genuinely pity people who have gone through life without experiencing the true, unconditional love that can only come from having a dog.

A puppy born on Halloween

Most people are celebrating Halloween today but the most important thing in our home is a birthday, because exactly one year ago this little ray of sunshine was born.

Six short weeks later, she became part of our small family and a large part of our joy!  Will’s condition for taking her home was that we keep with our pre-nuptial pet agreement and derive her name from the Anchorman movie.  Much to my dismay, the gorgeous little baby was given a grandma’s name and Dorothy Mantooth was homeless no more!

She was so tiny that she fit XS clothing and such a baby that she wasn’t even weaned from her doggy mummy, trying to find a suckle-point every time anyone held her. 

When we brought her home, her older brother Baxter experienced a range of emotions that changed daily.  First he was cautious: keeping his distance and fleeing the room every time she made a sound.  Next he became curious: sniffing her, her toys, clothes, blankets and bowls incessantly.  Once he figured out that she was staying, he became mean and jealous: inserting himself between her and whomever was cuddling her at the time, taking away anything she was playing with and putting a resounding growl and STOP to whatever fun she was having.  This period lasted longer than the rest, yet Dorothy has the sweetest, most forgiving nature and never even considered holding a grudge.  Her older brother was back then, just as he is now, her absolute idol.  She followed him from room to room and tried to mimic him in every way, much to his ever-increasing irritation!

As the months went by with her trailing him and Baxter taking steps to shake her off (if anyone knows poodles, they know how smart they are –and some of his methods were HILARIOUS!), her resolve and adoration never wavering; Baxter’s began to crack. 

The first sign of his changing affection came on a trip to the park when a border collie tried to get too friendly with his sister – Baxter wouldn’t have that for a second! Up went his tail; out came his teeth and high-pitched bark as he ran charging at the imposter, not stopping until quite sure that the collie was a safe distance away.  Since that turning point, their friendship has grown slowly, starting with Baxter allowing Dorothy on his couch, then closer than 3ft to him, then it progressed to him not taking toys away from her the moment she picked them up, then she was allowed to sit NEXT to him, then drink out of his water dish and finally to touch him!  Now he’s as smitten with her as we are, still enjoying his time alone but clearly missing her before long.

Although Will and I never expected to have two dogs – let alone two small dogs – we are thankful every day that we gave Dorothy Mantooth a home.  She is absolutely the best dog we could ever imagine to complete our family and make us smile numerous times a day.  Thank goodness for a tiny dog who – through her complete way of forgiving, loving and not sweating the small stuff – makes us conscious daily of the type of people we should be.  

Happy birthday bubba x

Welcome to my life

Hi.  Here's a little about me: I'm a girly-girl, wife, mother of two puppies, daughter of a happily married couple who live in Australia, bilingual, a free spirit; lover of wine, music, antipasto and sitting around a campfire, under the stars, with friends.

My background is: born in Kazakhstan, grew up in Australia, moved around a lot after university, which I never finished so that makes me a failed business graduate but also one of the lucky few in this life who find their passion: writer and world traveler. My husband, my best friend and my all shares my passion for travel and it's because of him that I'm able to see so much of planet earth.  We travel a lot.  We move a lot.  

I named this blog the Unwavering Part of Me to signify the unchanging part of who I am inside, in amongst all the constant moving, exploration, lessons and changes in my life.  At times I feel homesick and lonely so I want this space to be my home and a place where I can reflect on experiences.