I Went to Walmart in Search of a Hobby.

As many of you know, and for those of you who don't, Austin and I have completely different work schedules. He works weekday mornings while I work the nights of weekends. After hours of Sex and the City episodes followed quickly by Desperate Housewives, I came to the conclusion that I am in desperate need of some new hobbies. I had hours of time every weekday to keep myself occupied and entertained.

I had friends to hang out with, a dog to walk and take to the park, books to read, shows I could watch, but nothing that could necessarily be considered a hobby that I enjoyed doing hours on end. So, in need of seeking out the perfect hobby, I strolled on down to the local WallyWorld to find some new interests. I searched and stalked down the craft, fabric, and garden aisles disappointed that nothing had sparked a solid interest. Gardening interests me, but seeming that I occupy a garden-less apartment, I couldn't very well plant green beans in my carpet. I don't think the neighbors below me would appreciate roots spreading through their ceiling. However, Austin suggested that I take up potting plants instead. We have a balcony and that would be a feasible solution in lea of gardening.

Though excited about planting, I emailed my crafty aunt for more hobby ideas. She gave me marvelous ideas. Have any of you heard of Art Journaling? Well my Aunt Melissa shared some blogs and youtube videos about it with me. Here is the blog that she sent. It is fabulous and I hope you will all look into it. www.messymindcreativesoul.blogspot.com This woman is expressing her emotions, loves, and pains through art journaling. Instead of writing her feelings on the pages, she decorates them with art expressing her current feelings. It's absolutely fabulous! I am very anxious to start!

Along with those two hopefully new hobbies, I have started participating in Yoga. I got a starter yoga set for Christmas last year and have been using that. However, that particular dvd is more of a stress releasing yoga than a workout. (Which is extremely helpful considering my lack of stress management. lol. Thanks mom! :) ) So while at Walmart, I purchased another yoga dvd, this one being a more active muscle toning exercise. I tried it today and am pretty worn out already. One thing that the instructor said that really caught my attention was, "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable." No kidding. Pretty much everything we were doing brought the opposite of comfort. However, I am determined to continue with this dvd, in hopes of becoming better at it, as well as getting to that comfort level.


I thought, along with this blog, that I would share an update on how Koda has been doing since his neutering. The doctor prescribed some sedatives as well as instructions to keep his activity level very low. We didn't want the sutures to not heal properly or become infected. I have to say that even with the sedatives, keeping him indoors more than usual made him more anxious and added to his hyperactivity. It was definitely a struggle keeping him calm so that he could heal. Due to this bottled up anxiousness and possibly some anger being held towards me, Koda began to severely act out! Make a note that Koda was completely potty trained quite awhile ago and hasn't had many problems with that here at the apartment... well, until now. Koda started relieving himself on the carpet in our apartment. He knew it was wrong because we would always find him hiding under the living room end-table when we discovered the mess. He also chewed up my shoes! I have never had an issue with Koda chewing on our shoes. We always leave them out and he hasnt even attempted to move them.. until now. He destroyed them!! *sigh* Let's just say that Koda has spent a lot of time in time-out (his kennel) lately.
Almost a week and a half later, he is doing much much better. We have been able to take him outside more often and revisit the much missed park. He is getting that bottled up energy out and not taking it out on my carpet or shoes anymore. Things are going much better. Also, Koda seems to be playing better with other male dogs. Maybe it has to do with the surgery, maybe it doesnt, but I sure do like the positive results I have seen so far.

Got Nuts?

When I first adopted Koda from his purebred family in Vernal, UT, I had all of the intentions of breeding him out as a stud dog when he was an adult. Koda aged and grew in massive amounts! When I realized, with much disappointment, that Koda seemed to have a strong "Alpha-Male Complex," I threw the stud-dog plan out the window. Getting Koda fixed appeared to be the best option.
For two months I anxiously awaited June 13th, the day Koda was to be neutered. Eight am came and I coaxed Koda into the car to venture to the veterinarian's office. With each mile closer and a whining dog in the back seat, the guilt started to set in, thick and undesirable. I felt fear and worry for my furry baby. How could I possibly take his manhood from him?? 
I had already paid a down payment on the surgery and was on my way to redwood road. There was no changing my mind now. Toughening up, I focused on the hopeful outcomes of the surgery as I barreled down the road.
Imagining fear and sadness in Koda's eyes, I apologized and I ran out the door and left him with the vet.  
I spent the day out and about with my mom and a good friend with hopes that my mind would be put to ease. Was it silly that I was getting so worked up over leaving my baby with professional anesthesiologists and surgeons?  

Later that evening I picked up my nutless male dog, dazed and dizzy from all the drugs he was given. I religiously followed the instructions I was given and spoiled the crap out of Koda. 
Day two and the drugs have long worn off. He appears to be doing better. I maternally check the stitches every few hours and overdramatically tend to him. It's honestly silly but I would hate there to be any complications in the healing process. 

Everyone has their own opinions of the outcome. I've heard he will change and I've heard that he will remain the same. Over the next few weeks as the sutures dissolve, I hope to see an improvement in Koda's behavior. I want his personality to remain the same, after all that's why I love him :). However, I hope that he loses some of his hyperactive desires and his need to be the "King of the dog park."

While Koda mournes the loss of his balls, Austin overjoys that he still has his. He can now claim the title of alpha dog.