I think that the titles we give ourselves say a lot about how we see ourself or how we would like others to see us. So I would like to explain how the blog title "Three Dogs At Home" came to be. My oldest daughter was leaving for her first year of collage and she was happy to be more than a few hours away. But when the first chick left the nest all of the sudden the only thing people wanted to talk with me about was how would I be handling the empty nest syndrome. First of all my daughter's birth was quickly followed by that of her brother and all assumed they would leave in the same way, one right after another and I would be one of those empty Nester's. This of course has not happened. Our son is in no great hurry to leave the nest. And why should he be? He has it pretty good and he knows it. But the day will come when he leaves as well.
One of the good things about dogs is that they don't go to college, nor do they get married and leave to pursue their own lives. You see I have been planning for the empty nest for quite a while. I have been dreaming of my days filled with relearning old arts and learning new ones. I have not had even a single moment to "Oh what will I do with myself." I am very rarely alone these days, I have three dogs at home. They provide all the companionship anyone could ask for and yet they ask very little in return. Gidget is my constant shadow and is at my side no matter what I am working on. Bella is never far and talks to me through out the day, we have named her the teenager of the group as she often disagrees with us and will let us know how she feels. Zoey is enjoying her new Alpha dog status. She is always on guard and on the lookout for intruders.
When Bella and then Gidget joined our family I know that many of my friends secretly wondered if I was becoming a crazy dog lady. But those who really know me know that I am turning into the crazy thrift store lady. Rescuing and re-inviting furniture and accessories has allowed me to exercise my creative muscles and to still help the planet by keeping useful things out of the land fills.
So why the name, "Three Dogs At Home." I used to hear people say they could not have nice furnishing or decor in their homes because "we have three kids at home." At many times in the last 10 years not only have we had three dogs but also a few birds, a cat, 2 teenage children, and the assorted friends that came with each child. We have always had a nice home and have not let a full house get in the way. I do pick out furnishing and materials with the dogs in mind. I have a white mattelesse coverlet on our bed and yes the dogs sleep on it. I picked it because I knew it would wash very well but it is still something I love and I know other pet owners like it too because every week that post is in the top five most viewed posts.
So I don't think it is impossible to have a beautiful house while still having "Three Dogs At Home".
