Thursday, January 13, 2011

Risky Business

Tommy has boundless energy. He needs to run, and because I don't have a fenced yard, I'm always on the lookout for places to let him off leash, like...

A vacant house for rent on Lake Avenue...

Elliott Middle School courtyard...

Mosaic Church basketball court...

And a vacant house for sale on Holliston in Altadena...

I snuck into that yard when on a walk with Veronica. She said, "You're brave." I replied, "No, I'm desperate."

Sunday I walked over three and a half hours throughout the day to burn off Tommy's excessive energy.

I'm happy to say I closed on my house today. In a couple of months I won't have to risk trespassing around town so Tommy can run. I can just open the back door. It's going to be a good year.

Update:
I have a tweaked conscience as I consider the bad news this morning. My statement that it's going to be a good year seems self-absorbed while Tucson mourns the loss of loved ones, children have been swept away in Australian floods, and a beautiful oak grove in Arcadia has been demolished. It's an odd juxtaposition: my personal good fortune against a backdrop of tragedy, of which I listed only a handful. I feel lucky and sad.

33 comments:

  1. Congratulations. I moved into my house the day after my birthday. Lucky Tommy, lucky you

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  2. Thanks, PA. A house is a good birthday present. Last night's dinner conversation led to several mentions of Home Depot, which made me think of you. I'm more than ready for a year of home improvement projects.

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  3. Well, New year but the news is the SOS.

    SC, it's good to have another female K9 lover around here! I appreciate it.

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  4. Run Tommy Run! All dogs deserve to run free like Tommy once in awhile. That is one lucky dog. Such a fun Mommy. We should all learn from Tommy and sneak into a secret place and run free like Tommy.

    Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I am so looking forward to sharing a glass of wine in your beautiful new back yard as we watch Tommy running free as can be......maybe after a few glasses we will run around willy nilly too. Woo Hooooooooooooo

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  5. Congratulations! Use it in good health.

    Sounds like Tommy could hire out as a personal trainer.

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  6. Congrats on the closing of your new home and don't feel guilty for looking at the good in your own life - that is what President Obama's message is all about. We acknowledge and remember the bad and the sad but we have to look forward and keep believing in the good and it will be a better tomorrow. Run, Tommy, run!

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  7. Oh and Sue - I forgot to wish you a happy birthday - one day too late, I'm afraid! But Happy Happy Year!! xoxo Lizzie

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  8. Juxtapositions such are these are pretty much the nature of the universe. It is no crime for you to have a good year while bad things happen. Just be grateful while you can. Scout loves to run to. She is super fast. I wish I could clock her.

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  9. I know this gambit. Until this house, I never had much of a yard, and would trespass with abandon. Sometimes I still do, just to make sure I haven't lost my touch. Plus, dogs like variety.

    What Margaret said. Always enjoy happiness, whenever you find it. Congratulations!

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  10. Thank you all for the congratulations and birthday wishes! I'm glad you all appreciate Tommy's unleashed joy at a good run.

    Cafe Observer, you're in the company of many canine (and cat) lovers around here.

    thedogrescuers, looking forward to that willy nilly wild ride!

    Liz, it's a year of big changes for both of us. Let's hope it's filled with Happy Happy!

    Margaret, such wise words but not surprising coming from such a Goddess as yourself.

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  11. Oh, thanks, Hiker! You and Margaret are wise women.

    I've seen those pictures of Albert flying through Farnsworth Park. I expect I'll continue to trespass too. I think I get as much of a thrill out of it as Tommy does.

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  12. Jean, Tommy would make a great personal trainer. I've been thinking of starting a pit bull exercise program.

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  13. Enjoy your year and all the new fun things you'll get to do with your new house...time is fleeting, the world is big, and we are each here to live our own lives to the fullest...Life goes on regardless of tragedies...

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  14. I agree with KB. In particular, male dogs like variety.
    He still has plenty of energy. So as long as you're not the jealous type, I wood introduce him to some female canines to assist him in burning off his remaining energy. That should slow him down & leave him breathing hard.

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  15. Chieftess, thank you for your wise words. Beautifully said.

    Cafe Pasadena, great idea... I might have to find Tommy a girlfriend once I move into my new house.

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  16. Congratulations on closing on the house! When do you move in? You're both going to be so happy there. Great photos of Tommy running. Reminds me of the pictures of the Dog Whisperer running in the mountains with his pack of dogs every day to disperse their energy and make them trainable.

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  17. Thanks, Bellis! Move-in date is up in the air. It depends on when the tenants find a new place.

    Glad you like the Tommy photos. I'm not a fan of the Dog Whisperer but I do appreciate how he has raised awareness of how essential exercise is for our pooches. Tommy is sooooo much easier to handle after a good run.

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  18. I think you have the right spirit, Susan. In the midst of so much loss you see the simple joy of allowing Tommy to be himself, that's no small thing, especially for a rescue dog. And congratulations on your new home!

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  19. PS Today is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

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  20. Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Paula. We have to find joy in the simple pleasures, no matter how painful the larger picture.

    There's a National Dress Up Your Pet Day?! I think I used up my quota for dressing up Tommy on those Santa photos.

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  21. Go Tommy! Moving to a house with a yard (from a condo where we had to walk a mile just to find grass) has made our dogs happier, healthier, more confident and less naughty (because they're properly worn out!). Congratulations!

    Enjoy your good fortune while you can - we all have our tragedies in due time. It's the memories of good times that help us get through them, so be sure to enjoy every second so that it's there to tap in to when you need it.

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  22. Thank you, T2! I'm so glad you and your pack have a house and a yard now. And you're right: life is filled with ups and downs so it's important to fully appreciate the good times when they come.

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  23. Susan, watching your Tommy flying around has brought a huge smile to my face!! I'm so happy for you and for him, with the news of your closing on the house. There will quite possibly always be some kind of hardship going on somewhere, so please don't feel badly for being grateful and glad when things are going well for you. It's very cheering to see the lovely things going on in people's lives!!

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  24. I'm a bit late visiting this post, but I agree with the others--you're allowed to be happy. You're a human who is capable of grieving for others at the same time. Bless you and Tommy in your good fortune.

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  25. "Plus, dogs like variety."

    It's funny—they are total novelty junkies, but at home they have to have the Same Routine Every Day … at least, Boz does.

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  26. Tommy look so handsome when running. Miss J thinks he'd make a good match for Jenkins, who is the fastest dog she knows.

    All of life is that way, isn't it? Some good news, followed by bad. To remind us how special good news really is. Congrats on the house! That's great news.

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  27. We take advantage all the time :) We are currently looking for a lake...

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

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  28. Shell, thank you. It's a pleasure to bring a smile to your face, especially as you've seen such hardship lately.

    And thank you, Petrea. You make an excellent point. We're all allowed to be happy.

    J&P, Tommy and Boz have a lot in common. Tommy's always hunting for something new outside the house, but expects the same old routines at home.

    Miss Janey, it's amazing to watch them run, isn't it? Maybe we should arrange a race. And about the house... thank you!

    Kari, good luck with that lake!

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  29. Peoples Update: He's better. We got a voucher for Figuroa Animal Hospital (next to HP's iconic chickenboy)

    prednesone, antibiotics, cortisone shot, special cat food for urinary crystals.

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  30. That's great news, PA. Peoples was lucky to land in your orbit.

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  31. Hello Susan ~ Thanks so much for stopping by my blog {via Margaret} and leaving a nice comment. I've enjoyed reading about your Tommy and seeing his sweet photos on your blog. I'll look forward to seeing more of him when I come back to visit.

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  32. Your new house sounds exciting - and even has a private lake in season! All that's best with this venture, for you and Tommy.

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  33. Thanks for stopping by, Deb. Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

    Daisy, that's looking on the bright side of things. Thank you!

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