Belle the therapist.

My dog is amazing. She has been with me through some of the biggest rollercoasters in my life. I’ve had Belle in my life one year longer than Kurt.

She is always here for me, with a knowing look in her brown eye, soft cuddles, her goofy ways- tossing her toys around to cheer me up. Belle is my love. She slept on my chest when she first came home, and has snuggled next to me nearly every night for the past almost 4 years.

She can tell when my anxiety is flaring up, when I’m sick and need to sleep… and on nights like tonight when I am hurting so deep inside, she is right here watching over me, sharing all her love.

I cannot explain or pretend to understand how dogs read or sense the emotions of their people. But I know I am thankful for my loyal, loving, happy tippity feet dancing Belle.

And I hope she understands how grateful I am for her being there even when people I love hurt me.

My Love –1k (day) anniversary!

I’m in love with my best friend. I have been (admittedly so) for going on 3 years now.

I just wanted to share some of the adventures we’ve had through the years:

Our first camping trip together

Me on the same camping trip

Newport Oregon

We're goofballs

We take feet pictures! Newport Beach Oregon

He talked me into climbing Mt Lassen at 2am to be at the top for sunrise....

...and watching sun rise on top of the mountain was so incredible and well worth the cold temperatures.

This is what I got for hiking to the top of Mt. Lassen!

He spent my So Cal Thanksgiving with me and my family. We took the tram in Palm Springs and then spent time exploring.

Kurt with Belle, they're terribly adorable together. This was after the hike up Mt. Lassen and then long walkies around the Sun Dial Bridge

This is Bob. Bob was an adorable tiny pineapple we found on our 2009 Oregon camping trip.

One of my favorite things about camping with Kurt, he brings a guitar.

Every day is an adventure with Kurt. He makes me smile, laugh, feel safe, loves Belle, and is like loving my best friend. We’ve been through a lot together, he’s been supportive during my moves- both from Oregon and from Southern California. He’s supported my dreams, my goals, and my hopes… Even when I decided to become a Phlebotomist. He’s the one I called and cried to when Belle was attacked by a coyote, and was incredibly supportive during the passing of my Grandparents.

♥I didn’t know it at the time of when I wrote this blog, but today is our 100th day anniversary.♥

The little things…

I may be edging my way towards being a grown up but the note my Mom left on Gustave’s tank yesterday made me smile. (I was even happier when I saw she had cleaned my kitchen before leaving!!!!)

Dad called me to tell me he had found a way for me to pay less money for things like road side assistance and Renter’s Insurance and also just to say “hi” and “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”

Belle stayed by my side last night when I was sick for hours and lay on the couch with a bucket beside me. She was sweet enough to nuzzle up on my side and lick my tears away letting me know it was all going to be ok.

My coworkers are awesome, one even makes my tea for me when I show up to work my shifts before I even order it!

The apartment manager and head maintenance guy stopped Belle and I on our walk today to tell me what a great job I’ve done raising Belle and how she is their favorite. (Such a change from the places we’ve lived before.)

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, I’m employed. There’s good food in my tummy, a happy healthy fish in his tank, and a Papillon snuggled beside me.

Life is good.

It can be a bit on the craptastic side at times, and feel like there’s never enough time… but in the end I know I have some of the greatest friends, tweeps, family, and assorted loved ones that one person could ever hope for.

Tributes

I’ve been meaning to write several tribute blogs to say thanks, to show my appreciation, and to talk about some of the things in my life that have made a strong impact on me… One of course will be Belle. My sweet sweet Belle who’s been with me through so much- and has been through so much herself.