#bigwideworld

[stiener123]

I really don’t understand minimalism. It’s so polite an boring. If you don’t want anyone to notice you, you should stay at home.

Roberto Calalli

[alanaphoenixandco]

World map freestanding flower. With travel top of most of our wish lists - where in the world do you want to travel to when we’re free to go anywhere again? #travel #wishlisttravel #holiday #globetrotter #bigwideworld #iwanttotravel #worldmap #travelthemeflower #apandco #paperflowersbyapandco #travelgift (at Oxfordshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ5WnTkMVGG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[carasueachterberg]

Every evening when I sit down to post in this diary, I think—nothing really happened. (except on Wednesday – that was a little too exciting) And yet, when I look through the day’s pictures and start to write, there’s always something to tell.

That’s probably true of all of our lives, not just one rescue dog. So much happens every day that we take for granted and should instead be awed by in gratefulness, but I suppose it’s human nature to think it has to be exciting/tragic/titillating for it to be worthy of writing or reading about. Daisy is teaching me to slow down and appreciate the moments.

This week was made up of a lot of little moments, but her world stretched and she gave me lots of clues to her history and maybe a few that will help to unlock her heart.

I appreciate any help you can give in sharing her story. I really believe it simply she needs to reach the right heart—someone who will recognize her as family and choose to adopt her. Daisy has so much love to give and every day I see more of her huge loving, funny personality.

If you’d like to read her story in real time, you can follow along on Facebook at Cara Sue Achterberg, writer.

Here are this week’s entries:

Diary of a Rescue Day 29:

This is gonna be super quick because I’m late for bookclub and I’ve had a crazy busy day involving a horse dentist, vet, and an unexpected drive to my oldest son’s college (and back).

So, obviously, I didn’t see Daisy much, but this morning I caught some pictures of her with her fork. For some reason, unknown to me, she loves this fork. I don’t even know how she got it in the first place, but she likes to keep it close by – in her crate or on the dog bed.

Every time I see her carrying it I am never quick enough with the camera, but this morning Ian was in the room and she carried and carried it as if she didn’t trust him not to take it if she put it down, so I got these pictures.

There really is a silly, mischievous dog hidden in there under all that fear.

#funnypup #anothergooddog

Diary of a Rescue Day 30:

Once again I didn’t see much of Daisy today. We had a little time this morning. She spent the better part of the day back in the puppy room since Nick and I were in New Jersey to see Addie perform in a show at Rowan.

The puppy room was the best place for her since my oldest, Brady, is home on spring break and there have been plenty of extra young adults at our house. I don’t know if all the extra activity is making her anxious but since her fork is still in the kitchen, she’s taken to carrying around a stuffed football. Guess it’s her security football.

#peoplearescary #footballshelp #togetherwerescue #anothergooddog

Diary of a Rescue Day 31:

It’s been an amazing Daisy day! She spent most of the morning walking laps in the kitchen with her football. She reminds me of the old polar bear at the Baltimore Zoo who used to walk/swim the same pattern over and over. You could stand there for hours (and we did because one of my kids was so amazed by it and was sure if watched long enough he would break his pattern); he followed the same route over and over for days, weeks, years.

Daisy’s pattern is in and out of the crate, then around the kitchen island, then in/out crate, around the island, ad nauseum all the while clutching the football in her mouth and emitting an occasional whine. I made applesauce and then banana bread to keep her company and then I couldn’t stand watching it anymore so I convinced Nick to bring Frankie and go for a walk with us.

Once we left the drive (a first for her), she lit up. Running and sniffing and even trying to reach Nick and Frankie. By the time we got home, they were walking side by side! I saw more tail wagging and happy energy than I’ve ever seen from her. I’m very encouraged. Clearly, she is happier outside and loves going on a real walk. We’ll do lots more of that this week if weather allows and this blasted snow finally goes away.

She’s back in kitchen pacing at the moment, but at least I know how to make her happy and I’m hopeful she and Frankie will eventually be friends. I think the new pacing is just anxiety over the addition of Brady (and his people).

#peoplearestillscary but #theoutsideworld is exciting!

Diary of a Rescue Day 32:

Confessing right up front that these pictures are a day old. I was busy/distracted today by all the activity at my house- new foster dog, college kid home (with friends), a lot of writing to do, needy horses, sick kid, so I never managed to take a single picture of Daisy. But! She had a good day.

Another OPH family member, Ronni, came by to drop off a donated bag of my favorite brand of dog food and stayed to take a walk with me. She walked Gracie and I walked Daisy. Once again, Daisy was happy and brave – walking beside Gracie (who miraculously ignored her!) and scampering playfully or walking happily. Not an ill word was spoken. (Which is saying something since Gracie is usually a bit of a bully).

The pictures are from Daisy’s walk yesterday with Frankie, plus a couple of her with her football which she has carried around most of today. But you can substitute Gracie for Frankie and it was exactly the same.

This pup will be such a fun, sweet, loving dog for a lucky adopter. Now we just need to find that adopter!

#choosetoadopt #anothergooddog

Diary of a Rescue Day 33:

Other than the fact that she carries the football everywhere with her now, Daisy is becoming more and more like a regular dog. Tanis came over and we walked Frankie and Daisy (who carried her football the entire 2 miles) up the road and back. Neither of us thought to grab a picture, that’s how ‘normal’ she’s becoming.

Daisy’s looking so much healthier and is really a good weight now. She remains petrified of the guys and we are just accepting that for what it is. With me, she is incredibly loving and affectionate and I have no doubt that she is ready to share that love with an adopter – it will need to be a female adopter. Maybe this thing with men will just take time. Her fears are firmly entrenched but hopefully not immovable. After all, she is always initially frightened of new women and it takes her time to warm up, but she does.

I’m very curious to see how she reacts to children, but haven’t had a chance to find out. I need some young kids who can move slowly to test her out on. I have a feeling that she might trust children.

We have a new foster dog in the house, but so far Daisy has ignored him when he walks by, as she does both Gracie and Frankie.

Happy to report it’s really been an uneventful day at this foster house.

#easydoesit #daybyday #togetherwerescue #anothergooddog

Diary of a Rescue Day 34:

A pretty big day for Daisy- she made a new friend! Molly patiently sat on the floor with me for a good hour and Daisy circled and circled with the football in her mouth getting closer and closer to Molly.

Finally, she got brave and reached out to take a treat from Molly. That was the beginning. After that, there were kisses and pets and more treats. She showed her playful and affectionate side, which is something only I ever witness. There is hope for this dog!

We had a bad moment shortly after which resulted in me ending up with a banged knee when I dove to separate Daisy and Frankie who got in a scuffle. The last time they tangled, it was my fault because I intentionally let Frankie in to meet Daisy, but this time it was Frankie’s fault because he barged past me at the gate in his hurry to greet my friend Gina, who had just arrived to help walk dogs. He didn’t even see Daisy who was saying her goodbyes to Molly.

Daisy is fiercely defensive when it comes to other dogs and I think that trait may be as entrenched as her fear of men.

Frankie is fine, just chastened, and I am pumped up on ibuprofen, hoping the pain and swelling are temporary. (I was able to walk dogs so I’m probably just being a baby.)

Never a dull moment here at this crazy dog house.

#dontbesopushy #newfriendsaregood  #togetherwerescue #anothergoodog

Diary of a Rescue Day 35:

Thankfully Nancy stopped by today and did a little photo shoot with Daisy so I’ll have some MUCH better pictures to post once I figure out how to see and download them without upgrading my Dropbox (I tried opening a new Dropbox with a different email but they were on to me…).

Daisy had a quiet day, but she needed one after the excitement of yesterday. My friend Linda is visiting and making slow steady progress in winning Daisy over, and hopefully we can get her out for a hike tomorrow.

Daisy did great at the photo shoot- racing around in a circle because she was happy to be outside with me, chasing a ball (slowly), gnawing on a stick, and startling at the chickens. Can’t wait to see the results!

My bad pictures do show you how much weight she’s gained. (And her messy room)

#justwait #modeldog #togetherwerescue #anothergooddog

Thanks for reading!

If you’d like to know more about my blogs and books, visit CaraWrites.com or subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter (which is rarely monthly, but I’m working at it…everybody needs a goal).

If you’d like to know more about the book, Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs, visit AnotherGoodDog.org, where you can find more pictures of the dogs from the book (and some of their happily-ever-after stories), information on fostering, the schedule of signings, and what you can do right now to help shelter animals! You can also purchase a signed copy or several other items whose profits benefit shelter dogs!

If you’d like to know how you can volunteer, foster, adopt or donate with OPH, click here. And if you’d like more pictures and videos of my foster dogs past and present, be sure to join the Another Good Dog Facebook group.

One last thing! I will be leading a group of eight volunteers on a week-long trip to volunteer in some of the shelters we work with in North and South Carolina. We will be posting stories, pictures and video of our adventure. You can see all of it by following our Facebook page, OPH Rescue Road Trip. We promise to share the dogs we meet, the heroes we help, and the reality of shelters in the rural south. It may not always be easy to see, but hopefully it will also inspire you to help the many, many dogs in need. And if you’re so inclined, you can support us with donations through our Road Trip Fundraiser.

I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to comment here on the blog, email carasueachterberg@gmail.com or connect with me on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram.

 Best,

Cara

Released August 2018 from Pegasus Books and available now

  Diary of a Rescue Week Five:  It’s a Big Wide World! Daisy's little world is getting bigger... #choosetoadopt #anothergooddog Every evening when I sit down to post in this diary, I think—nothing really happened. 1,985 more words

[harryneelam]

. TRAVELING LIFE I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; so you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! Nowadays, I need all the stimuli I can get! And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not. People keep telling me I'm in Denial but I'm positive I've never been there before! I have been in Deepshit many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there I have been in awe many many times, it's a place where the most interesting people can be seen... I have sometimes been in Sufferable on my way there, but not too often. I'm rarely in Decisive, often in Telligent, but if I ever find myself in Continent, you can betcha I'm taking the first train outta town... HAVE AN AWESOME FRIDAY! ;-) * * * * #travel #travellife #traveling #travellight #lifeisajourney #placestogo #places #placesivebeen #bigwideworld #notallwhowanderarelost (at Sydney, Australia)

[bubblesuniverse1993]

Dreaming about the sea! #escape #waves #relaxing #dreams #bigwideworld #bigworld #splash #ocean #cornwall #mellow #blue #clouds #gentle #sea #oceandeep #deep #takemeaway #somewherebeyondthesea

[misscablackburn]

#beautiful #sunset #walkingthedogs #walkies #countrywalks #lovely #wonderlust #bigwideworld #sunsetting #sky

[dv869r]

#BigWideWorld #DV8ForLife Marija Cairns ~ @MarijaDV869R 👧👦 Sometimes I still feel like I'm a child, learning each and every day. Some days I wish I were a child, rediscovering beauty in the world. But as I have lived, learned, grown, fallen, hurt, cried, gained knowledge and life lessons, I remember the pain of falling, feeling lost, and struggling to be taken seriously. Some of us I truly believe are born with an old soul of sorts. And although we still have to learn to walk, talk, read and write, some lessons can not be taught. Some people are kind and compassionate regardless of their past, some believe in equality despite being raised by a sexist or racist guardian. There is always hope... I truly believe that there is always hope, that no matter how dark things get, that light will always find a way through. Despite my illnesses, and pain, despite the fact I can no longer walk properly, or my past, or all the things I've faced, been challenged by... I still believe in kindness, in compassion, in love, in beauty, in giving and in being grateful for the small things! 🌟 Join, add, follow or subscribe today, and join our growing community of beautiful, wonderful people that I believe in! 💜 © 🌎 #NonJudgment #Love #Kindness #Compassion #Art #Expression #Creativity #Light #Darkness #Life #Fundraising #ChronicIllness #IllnessAndDisease #Hope Marija Cairns @MarijaDV869R ©📲

[katzeschwarzsblog]

Let me twiddle my thumbs as I wait for you...

Dear the bitchiest sister ever For my dearest sibling,

I'm sorry if you thought that I would come and wait around and put my life on hold for a year whilst you finish a course that you don't actually like but if I had known that other things would render the possibility of staying with you then I would have definitely dropped them and gone to hang around you. 

I find it so selfish that you give me the million questions of what, where, when, how, why of what I'm going to do.  I'm not going to sit on my butt all day doing nothing as I had originally intended, now that you can see my grand plan.  I would love to do that (as anyone would) but I can't.  It's the big wide world now.  I'd love to do my Masters, and eventually I will but I don't want to be stuck in the same place doing it when there are other possible places that may offer better options for study.  So sorry for picking a crappy course like archaeology I'm sorry that it didn't fit the bill of what you have planned out but I'm doing other things. 

My choices should not affect your choices.  I expect for this to be vice versa.  And I've been reassured by the parents that this won't happen although that remains to be see if they do, after all dear sibling you always get your way.

Don't be selfish.  I get that you are alone but that isn't my fault.  You certainly didn't give a damn when I was on my own at uni in first year nor during easter holidays.  Buck up, make friends. And actually be less of a selfish ice queen for once.  You'd make them then.

Lovingly yours,

K

[scrambleyoureggs]

moving to london in 11 days.......................feeling excited as fuck but also scared, my life is literally going to change completely and i feel unprepared 

[rheokamai]

I’d rather live in a world full of mystery than have it so small that my mind could comprehend it. Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. The real trick to life is not to be in the know, but to be in the mystery.

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

- Albert Einstein

[thisisgoodbye-blog]

Grandad wat r u doin?? #Amelia #Grandad #BrightEyes #BigWideWorld