600th post!!

 Wow!  I started this blog in 2006 when blogs were a new media platform.  I really enjoy looking back over the years and seeing the canine family that is still going strong, thriving, giving love and bringing joy, and successfully competing in every aspect of competition.  This family brings me so much joy and every day I feel blessed to be allowed to create my own family.

Sometimes, as I review past posts, I feel sad.  Sometimes I wish past dogs were still here.  Sometimes I wish I had bred a dog differently and had offspring from dogs that have passed.  I have not stored semen in the past, but at least that is one way to preserve breeding options for years.  I mostly base my family on the girls, and there is currently no such option for egg preservation.   I know that this time of year, many feel sad.  

Wishing passed loved ones were still with us or feeling lonely is common.  One way to cope with these feelings can be to create your own traditions.  One tradition I have tried to create for myself is to do a year- end review.  Similar to writing a Christmas letter (which I have long stopped doing), a year-end review reminds me of what brought me happiness and helps me focus on the present and the good.  I will be writing that blog post soon- and if you have anything I should be reminded of - please let me know.  

Thank you for reading my blog- I hope to have 600 more posts of love and sadness ahead.   Happy Winter Solstice (yesterday).