I’m going to get personal this week - simply because a recent change has taken over my life and it’s all I have energy to talk about! I make an effort to blog every week, so I didn’t want to miss a post even in the midst of the crazy.

The big news is that we just got a new puppy! He’s a corgi. His name is Nigel, and he’s ridiculously cute. When we picked him up a week ago, one of his ears had not yet flopped up. It was love at first sight! As you can imagine, he has a lot of energy. It’s been an adjustment having the little guy running around. We can’t work the same hours we used to, and we have to take frequent breaks to play with him and let him outside - none of which is a bad thing! Most people who work from home probably don’t take enough breaks. He’s also brought so much joy to our house with his cute puppy noises and general fluffiness!

Another bonus is that he’s managed to mellow out our other 6 year old pup. Rupert is a Great Pyrenees, so they are bred to guard other animals. I often suspected Rupert was bored in the long hours we worked. He’s been lucky to have two work-from-home pet parents, but I still feel guilty that he doesn’t get more attention during the day. This puppy runs circles around him - keeping him engaged at all times. To say Nigel is obsessed with Rupert is an understatement. I feel like Nigel has given Rupert a purpose too, since he’s quickly taken on the protective dad role.

We haven’t had any big changes around here for a while, so it’s been an adventure. We love traveling, so now seemed like the best time to get a puppy. We’d been talking about getting Rupert a friend for years, and the timing always seemed off. With no trips in our future due to Covid, we couldn’t think of too many reasons not to get one.

All the pieces fell into place really quickly - another sign this was meant to be. I’m big on signs. If things are easy, I think of it as destiny. We found a great breeder rather quickly. Nigel was originally going to other owners, and they changed their minds. I can’t even imagine their reasons, but we were so thrilled to get the call that he was available. I’ve heard that it’s so difficult to find available pets right now, and that was not our experience at all!

Nigel has reminded me that sometimes life is perfectly imperfect. In the midst of chaos, there can be so much joy. He’s also a good reminder that my best is always good enough. I’m trying to go easy on myself, and not expect so much. I had several big projects I was working on that I simply paused. I’ve even had an unfinished Christmas painting that’s been sitting in my studio for over a week. That’s pretty unlike me - usually an unfinished painting would keep me awake at night. I’ve been sleeping like a baby.

So that’s what’s happening with me right now. I’m hoping to be back to regular scheduled content next week, but I can’t make any promises - with trying not to chase perfection and all. I hope you’re all doing well and staying healthy!