What about the dog?

Our biggest worry, of course, was the dog. AH, while she doesn't actively dislike dogs, is certainly not used having them around. She's a clean freak, and dogs are not. Well, neither am I for that matter. But there's always dog hair floating about, drool, dribbled water, etc. And Z can be a bit of a meanie sometimes. She's a good dog, but she's crazily attached to her family, and she just doesn't always care for new people.

The first week actually went quite well, though. Z sniffed at AH in her chair, but didn't try to lick her or anything. She knows her, but I think she's a little confused, wondering "where's UL? He always sneaks me food? They always come together!" But she's adapted. She doesn't trip AH up, doesn't try to barge in her room. She stays clear of the walker. She's been okay with all the visiting nurses, though we do keep her crated when we're not home and someone's visiting. Just till we know how she's going to be.

Well. The other night we thought it was safe for both J and I to be gone for the evening. Mistake. I get a phone call from AH saying, "I don't know what to do with the dog. She's whining and keeps going to the door." Well, it was obvious to me that she needed to go out. I told AH to open the slider (thank god she was able to). I heard her saying, "Go out now, I can't come out with you." But then she got on the phone and said, "oh, I smell something over here, what if she's gone to the bathroom, what am I going to do?"

She ended up leaving Z out on the porch. Worried that she had stepped in something (turns out Z had thrown up in the kitchen), AH stayed in her chair for 3 hours, waiting for J to come home! Z was out on the porch howling. A neighbor came over and pounded on the door, but AH refused to get up, panicked that she had stepped in "something."

Now the poor baby will have to be crated whenever we're out. There's no way that AH is going to adjust to her. She is so stubborn, when she gets something in her mind, there is no changing it. I'm sure she's convinced that Z will be pooping and peeing and puking all over the place.

so much for my visions of Z becoming an old ladie's companion, keeping her company and guarding the door.

No more empty nest!

I'm so glad I thought of this, of keeping a blog journal. I regret terribly that I never kept a journal of my days with my children as they were growing up. How I would love to reread those now. I've forgotten so much, and I'm sure I would gain some insight into the adults they are now becoming.

Whatever, no need to waste energy on regrets. However, now I will not make that mistake. This is a huge journey we're undertaking, and I want to record it. But I've always been afraid of journals. I want to say whatever I feel, but what if it's mean, and someone reads it? what if it's embarassing? this way, I can say anything, and the chances of anyone reading it are remote. If, for some insane reason, people do read it, they won't know it's me! No one will be hurt, and I won't be embarassed. Win-win.

Midway into our second year of empty nest-dom, well into the enjoyment phase, smack dab in the midst of loving those peaceful evenings spent doing whatever the hell we wanted, we now have a roommate.

Let me say, it's not funny the way this all came about. UL died very unexpectedly. We all loved him dearly. I have to say, he was my favorite in this new family of mine. Never failed to make me laugh. I always looked forward to seeing him. AH, on the other hand, while very sweet and loving, has her other sides. She complains a lot, and gossips a lot. I always worry that I will end up on her gossip go-to list.

Well, AH can't live on her own, so she now lives with us. We are 2 weeks into this new life. More to come.