Life's A Beach

Today has been such a busy day!  My mother and I took the dogs to the vet.  I have two labs, one of which (Ginger) has end stage liver cancer and was given 2 days to live 3 weeks ago.  Needless to say it's been a very sad past 3 weeks, but we are glad to have been given this little bit of extra time with her.  If you know my family, you know that our dogs are not just pets but are actually PART of the family.  Lucy, the youngest of the two, has been a little sick lately so we took her to the vet just to make sure everything was okay.  We wouldn't want to lose both of them at once!  But luckily everything was fine with Lucy and Mom and I spent some time talking to the doctor about whether or not it was a good idea to get another puppy right away or if it would be better to wait.  To our surprise the vet said that it would be best to get another dog immediately. He said that it would help distract Lucy from the depression that would ensue right after Ginger passes.  It's bittersweet news to us; on one hand we can't imagine ever even thinking about replacing our beloved first dog.  On the other hand it's always exciting to bring a new member of the family in.  But I know that this new puppy will be just as important to our lives as our dogs are now.

I was talking later to a friend about my life, and he asked if I had any stress in my life.  I told him about my dog, and about how my dad was away for the summer and how hard these things were on our family.  He then said, other than that is there anything that is constantly causing stress?  And it got me thinking about how my life could be so much worse.  Even though my dog is sick, it's a dog.  What if the news had been about one of my brothers? Or one of my parents?  I think Ginger's leaving us is giving my family a lesson to be grateful for our health and happiness.  Even though these two things seem stressful now, I have an amazing family, a loving boyfriend, and the best friends in the entire world.  I'm doing well in school, and I have an amazing summer planned ahead of me!  I finally saw the website for the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale today and it got me SO exited!!  My best friend Katie is coming to visit Philly and the Outer Banks and we will be attending the sale AT LEAST one day--(that may change to 2/3 days now that I see all of these special BOGO deals!!) Anyways, needless to say...Life's A Beach and I LOVE it!! :)

xoxo,

kbl