We just welcomed our 16th grandchild into the world this month!
What makes this one extra special is that it’s my middle son’s first baby. He’s a police officer – specifically, a K9 officer – so he’s actually the first of my six kids to end up in a career working with dogs. I told him the other day that it’s pretty cool we finally have another professional “dog person” in the family, even if his approach to training is… let’s just say different from mine.
It’s one of those moments that reminds me how complicated and beautiful life can be. I’m incredibly proud of the work he does and the service his K9 partner provides to our community. And I can still wish there were better training methods available for police dogs without those two things being in conflict. (There are, but few police departments embrace them.)
(This is probably a deeper conversation for another time, but I think it’s important to remember that most people who use training methods we don’t agree with aren’t doing it because they don’t love dogs – they’re doing it because they don’t see a better way. Criticism without offering alternatives doesn’t help anyone.)
Anyway, between the new grandbaby, my husband starting some medical treatments that have us going back and forth to Fresno for appointments, and the usual chaos of running a farm full of Maremmas, goats, and other assorted creatures, I’m feeling a bit stretched thin these days.
Which got me thinking: I know some of you are juggling similar things. Maybe you’re dealing with health stuff, family obligations, work stress – all while trying to do right by your livestock guardian dogs (or the ones you’re hoping to bring home soon).
If that’s you, I see you. You’re doing better than you think you are.
I’ll be back in your inbox next week with more updates. We have new puppies due soon, so there will definitely be more cute puppy photos to share. And I have a story about one of my girls who has decided that jumping every fence I build is her new favorite hobby.
But for now, I’m going to go snuggle some puppies and try not to stress about everything on my to-do list.
