Finding My Feet

Since I last wrote I've been trying to get back to my normal schedule. I've learned that being happy takes some effort but it is paying off: if you act happy (please note I'm not saying Pretend - big difference)happiness does come to you. Hubby is calmer and most notable is Moto's countenance. He's brighter when training with me and all the creatures, both two and four-legged are much happier. Happiness begets happiness so we are on an upward trend.
This weekend is a fun match and I've got Moto entered in Utility for the very first time. We haven't trained much in utility so it will be a way scaled back version but he is really enjoying his utility work. If this trend continues I may try to debut him in Novice spring of next year. Still not expecting much in Novice, not in Open either, I'm just waiting to get him into Utility to see what he is capable of.
Pinch continues learning at warp speed. Heeling is something he still doesn't have much of a concept about. Of all the dogs I've trained he's the one giving me the most problem when it comes to how to teach heeling - can't seem to find which way clicks with him. I'll continue to experiment with various strategies to see which method conveys what I want. For now it's quite clear he hasn't a clue what I'm asking of him.
Day by day I'm getting control back into my life - the house is clean again, the dog's grooming schedule is getting back on track (though they badly need a bath) and I'm keeping up with the paperwork from my business and volunteer organizations.
It's nighttime when it's the hardest. Waking up 3:00 a.m. and images still haunt me. The one that elicits the most emotion is when I saw my sister for the first time when I arrived in CA prior to Barry's passing. I was prepared for Barry's condition and how he would look but seeing my sister - her eyes swollen from crying and grief in every fibre of her being that tore me to pieces. But she's doing everything right to help herself get on with life and I'm so very proud of her. Because she is going on and doing such a good job of it, I'm able to as well.
And the weather is gorgeous. It's hard to be sad when the skies are beautiful and the dogs beckon you to come outside for a good came of ball.