And now a word from the Warden…

We missed it!

Linda here for a change. The boys allow me to write something every few years. And I am allowed to write today because I realized that we missed our blogiversary on September 20! We marked 9 years – yes, 9 years of sharing our crazy adventures. I look back at that very first post by Viktor and think about my life at that time…

I’m not sure WHY we started to write – we weren’t even in the throes of a pandemic – AND I was still working full-time. And for some crazy reason, I (I mean we) felt the need to share the crazy, sometimes mundane, everyday, relatable stories of living with three canine companions.,

At that time we were two PONs and a Berner. And for several years, while working full-time, I managed to write EVERY day. I must have been more creative back then! We shared so many episodes of our lives – some outrageous, some no doubt boring, some heartbreaking and some incredibly joyful. If you have just joined our blog “family” recently, I encourage you to go back to the “beginning” and follow our roots.

While we have never set any viral records for dog blog followers, I’m still holding out hope to win the Guinness record for most posts by a dog – if the category exists! But in truth, we have gained so much more than popularity. We have gained friends around the world. We have learned about your dog stories and have shared in your laughter and your tears. While our stories initially resonated with people owned by PONs, the similarities in certain “unpopular behaviors” go across breeds. It’s not just PON or Picard people who read us. And one of the exciting things I have seen is the connections made by blog readers who don’t share the same breed! I love seeing those bonds! And of course, I love having the opportunity to meet blog readers. I’ve personally met readers from several countries – and it’s always a wonderful experience!

I’ve sometimes thought about tossing out the iPawd, as I feel we’ve covered every topic possible, but then someone here does SOMETHING outrageous, and we have material for yet another story.

We realize our recent posts have been anything but uplifting, but as anyone who has been owned by a dog knows, there are some very difficult times in the dog-human connection. Right now we don’t know how this chapter will end., The yo yo was bouncing pretty low the last two days – but it still does go up. Whether we can jolt it to bounce back up to the top, I’m not so sure. But we’re trying. Eating remains the biggest stumbling block. For example, in typical Elroy fashion, he would not eat some ground beef I cooked for him. He WAS, however , interested in the smoked pork chop that I was eating. When he gobbled down two bites offered to him, I ended up cooking him his own chop. He ate most of it. It may not be the best thing for him to eat – but at this point, if he eats we call it a score.

I can honestly feel the support and positive energy being sent our way. And it’s truly comforting to know just how much this special boy means to all of you.

As always – I will continue to follow his lead. Because really – that’s what happens in this household all the time.

Thanks for reading.

Have a good one. Peace and paws up. Stay safe. JBJ