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Showing posts with label bunny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bunny. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2016
My Goobers
Friday, January 29, 2016
The Many Forms of Fulfillment
As the perky blonde woman at the Morley Health Center proceeded to passionately talk about all the "wonderful" changes that occur when a girl morphs into a woman, my bony butt began to shift uncomfortably in the hard, plastic chair. My Mom was sitting next to me and I felt a little embarrassed that such a topic was being discussed in her presence. As a fifth grader, it just didn't seem natural to hear all about the joys of leg shaving and training bras. After all I was still playing with Barbie dolls and had absolutely no protrusions on my chest that required any sort of "training." (I still don't, truth be told.)
But the real discomfort set in when the woman began teaching my fellow girl scouts and I about childbirth and our reproductive organs. I don't know what grossed me out more - the frequent talk of blood or the word "uterus." Either way the whole situation disgusted me and when the cheerful woman asked if anyone had questions, I promptly raised my hand and announced that I was going to barf.
Without hesitation my Mom grabbed my hand and rushed me into the hallway and into the bathroom where I proceeded to blow chunks. As my lasagna dinner reappeared before me, my Mom uttered the words, "You will never be able to handle having babies." I did not disagree.
I've always known that I didn't want to have children. I played with Barbie dolls, not baby dolls, for instance, and my Barbie dolls never became mothers. In addition to the gross out factor of childbirth, babysitting every child within a 5 minute bike ride from my parent's house as a teen made me feel just as queasy about the idea of parenting. But of course I've spent most of my life in denial of this feeling. I mean, having kids is what we are supposed to do, right?
As a kid who grew up in a middle class suburban town, I was only ever exposed to what was deemed "normal," and normal is basically defined as "what everybody else is doing." So I thought I'd grow up to get married and have kids because that's what "normal" people did. I even told my 7th grade English teacher that my life plan was to graduate college, get married at 24, then start having kids at 27. She looked at me square in the eyes and asked, "You think it's really gonna happen that way?" Well, yeah. Of course. Why wouldn't it?
It wasn't until I was exposed to thought provoking adult literature at my liberal arts university that I discovered that marriage and family are options, not obligations. The Awakening by Kate Chopin specifically served as my epiphany and woke me up to a whole new world of possibilities for living my life that felt far more natural to me.
Still, I wasn't quite ready to accept that I wasn't the mommy type. For years I kept myself open to the possibility of marriage and family only if I met the right guy. Well, I've met plenty of right guys, but none of them ended up magically changing how I felt.
A close friend once urged me not to be so close-minded. But why would I force myself to feel the opposite way of something I was so sure of in my heart? I took the advice anyway and continued to date men that I knew wanted to be fathers one day. But I only ended up breaking hearts and becoming discouraged and extremely heartbroken myself. I've felt like a fake, a fraud, and a deceptive bitch telling boyfriends that I'd consider having children when my entire being was firmly rejecting the possibility.
I can comprehend why people cannot fathom the decisions of others, especially when something like having kids is such a strong biological pull for most women. But imagine, if you will, having no desire or biological pull to want to have a baby? At 37 years old, my womb is not crying out for a child. My womb has never even whispered the thought.
Just because I have no desire to have kids does not mean that I don't like children. I am obsessed with my nephew. I love babies just as much as anyone and I believe that holding a baby is the most peaceful feeling on earth. I love the small voices of toddlers and I love the hilarious things that come out of their mouths. I empathize with the struggles of fluctuating teenage hormones, as I am still very in tune with what it was like to be a teenager. But these are all things I can enjoy or appreciate without bearing any fruit myself.
I will offer a dose of honesty and admit that I do not like the loud chaos that children cause, even though I think it's crucial for kids to be wild and crazy and play their little hearts out. But truth be told, I didn't even like the chaos of children when I was one. I always preferred playing alone in quiet spaces and hanging out with the adults at family gatherings. Adult conversation has always been far more fascinating to me, even when I was too young to fully understand what was being discussed.
I also don't like the thought of being tethered to my home because I cannot go out if I don't have someone to babysit the kids. And I do not like the thought of leaving my house on a whim only with the condition of having to dress a baby in bulky winter gear and haul around an even bulkier stroller.
I don't want to help my kid learn long division, because I feel I already suffered enough math hell for several lifetimes.
I don't want to schlep my kids and their gear to sporting events in the cold and be forced to make idle chit chat with other parents. My parents loved going to my brother's games growing up, and my brother loves going to my nephew's games. Being parents is what they love and what they do well. And while I absolutely love seeing my nephew in action at his soccer games when I visit, I just cannot muster the same sort of enthusiasm for the idea of cheering on my own kids every Saturday.
Most of all, I don't like like the thought of sacrificing my alone time and already feel as if I don't have enough time to myself. That might sound a little crazy, but if you are introverted, you probably understand. My time alone is as important as the air I breathe.
Maybe you think I'm selfish, but I consider myself self-aware. I know in my heart of hearts that being a Mom would not positively add to my life. And with 7 billion people on this earth I'm fairly certain the world doesn't need my rugrats running around. But I respect the demanding role of motherhood to an infinite degree. I'm just not cut out for that role. And I'm okay with that.
Sometimes it irks me when I see things on Facebook regarding how, "People don't know what exhaustion is until they've had kids!" or shit like, "We didn't know what fulfillment was until we had kids!" Well, I can tell you that getting home at 10:30pm after a full day of physical activity and being "on," and then having to wake up at 4:30am to do it all over again is pretty fucking exhausting. The difference, I recognize, is that I do actually get to sleep in a couple times a week, and I'm beyond thankful for that. Perpetual sleep deprivation is definitely another reason I don't want children, but I commend the courageous men and women willing to sacrifice their slumber for 18 years or so.
Regarding fulfillment, I can assure you that having a child would not satisfy a missing piece to my life's puzzle. Because fulfillment comes from within and doesn't come from chasing happiness through external sources, there are many paths to fulfillment. Fulfillment stems from spending time doing what you love and living authentically, which is different for everyone. It's being at peace with who you are and the decisions you make regarding how to live your life.
Although I kind of hoped I'd be the rich, world-traveling aunt who could pay for her nephew's college education and could afford to take her whole family on vacations, I am not. But I've learned that being a single, childless, jet-setting city gal with plenty of disposable income is not the opposite of having a family.
I gain fulfillment from working out and being fit and healthy. I gain fulfillment from reading and learning. I gain fulfillment from being organized and having my shit together. I gain fulfillment from a full night of sleep and eating well. I gain fulfillment by setting new goals every year and working hard to reach them. I gain fulfillment at work by helping people become stronger and healthier than they were before they met me. I gain fulfillment from taking care of my pet bunnies. I gain fulfillment from spending Christmas with my family every year.
You see, my life is not lacking because I am not married and do not have children. There are a lot of things I love about my life that wouldn't even be possible if I were married with children.
I'm endlessly respectful of how anyone chooses to live their life, and all I want is for people to respect my path. At the very least, I hope people will understand that I am happy with the choices I've made for my life. And I hope that you are happy with the choices you've made for your life, understanding that amidst all of life's obligations, we are fortunate to have options.
But the real discomfort set in when the woman began teaching my fellow girl scouts and I about childbirth and our reproductive organs. I don't know what grossed me out more - the frequent talk of blood or the word "uterus." Either way the whole situation disgusted me and when the cheerful woman asked if anyone had questions, I promptly raised my hand and announced that I was going to barf.
Without hesitation my Mom grabbed my hand and rushed me into the hallway and into the bathroom where I proceeded to blow chunks. As my lasagna dinner reappeared before me, my Mom uttered the words, "You will never be able to handle having babies." I did not disagree.
I've always known that I didn't want to have children. I played with Barbie dolls, not baby dolls, for instance, and my Barbie dolls never became mothers. In addition to the gross out factor of childbirth, babysitting every child within a 5 minute bike ride from my parent's house as a teen made me feel just as queasy about the idea of parenting. But of course I've spent most of my life in denial of this feeling. I mean, having kids is what we are supposed to do, right?
As a kid who grew up in a middle class suburban town, I was only ever exposed to what was deemed "normal," and normal is basically defined as "what everybody else is doing." So I thought I'd grow up to get married and have kids because that's what "normal" people did. I even told my 7th grade English teacher that my life plan was to graduate college, get married at 24, then start having kids at 27. She looked at me square in the eyes and asked, "You think it's really gonna happen that way?" Well, yeah. Of course. Why wouldn't it?
It wasn't until I was exposed to thought provoking adult literature at my liberal arts university that I discovered that marriage and family are options, not obligations. The Awakening by Kate Chopin specifically served as my epiphany and woke me up to a whole new world of possibilities for living my life that felt far more natural to me.
Still, I wasn't quite ready to accept that I wasn't the mommy type. For years I kept myself open to the possibility of marriage and family only if I met the right guy. Well, I've met plenty of right guys, but none of them ended up magically changing how I felt.
A close friend once urged me not to be so close-minded. But why would I force myself to feel the opposite way of something I was so sure of in my heart? I took the advice anyway and continued to date men that I knew wanted to be fathers one day. But I only ended up breaking hearts and becoming discouraged and extremely heartbroken myself. I've felt like a fake, a fraud, and a deceptive bitch telling boyfriends that I'd consider having children when my entire being was firmly rejecting the possibility.
I can comprehend why people cannot fathom the decisions of others, especially when something like having kids is such a strong biological pull for most women. But imagine, if you will, having no desire or biological pull to want to have a baby? At 37 years old, my womb is not crying out for a child. My womb has never even whispered the thought.
Just because I have no desire to have kids does not mean that I don't like children. I am obsessed with my nephew. I love babies just as much as anyone and I believe that holding a baby is the most peaceful feeling on earth. I love the small voices of toddlers and I love the hilarious things that come out of their mouths. I empathize with the struggles of fluctuating teenage hormones, as I am still very in tune with what it was like to be a teenager. But these are all things I can enjoy or appreciate without bearing any fruit myself.
I will offer a dose of honesty and admit that I do not like the loud chaos that children cause, even though I think it's crucial for kids to be wild and crazy and play their little hearts out. But truth be told, I didn't even like the chaos of children when I was one. I always preferred playing alone in quiet spaces and hanging out with the adults at family gatherings. Adult conversation has always been far more fascinating to me, even when I was too young to fully understand what was being discussed.
I also don't like the thought of being tethered to my home because I cannot go out if I don't have someone to babysit the kids. And I do not like the thought of leaving my house on a whim only with the condition of having to dress a baby in bulky winter gear and haul around an even bulkier stroller.
I don't want to help my kid learn long division, because I feel I already suffered enough math hell for several lifetimes.
I don't want to schlep my kids and their gear to sporting events in the cold and be forced to make idle chit chat with other parents. My parents loved going to my brother's games growing up, and my brother loves going to my nephew's games. Being parents is what they love and what they do well. And while I absolutely love seeing my nephew in action at his soccer games when I visit, I just cannot muster the same sort of enthusiasm for the idea of cheering on my own kids every Saturday.
Most of all, I don't like like the thought of sacrificing my alone time and already feel as if I don't have enough time to myself. That might sound a little crazy, but if you are introverted, you probably understand. My time alone is as important as the air I breathe.
Maybe you think I'm selfish, but I consider myself self-aware. I know in my heart of hearts that being a Mom would not positively add to my life. And with 7 billion people on this earth I'm fairly certain the world doesn't need my rugrats running around. But I respect the demanding role of motherhood to an infinite degree. I'm just not cut out for that role. And I'm okay with that.
Sometimes it irks me when I see things on Facebook regarding how, "People don't know what exhaustion is until they've had kids!" or shit like, "We didn't know what fulfillment was until we had kids!" Well, I can tell you that getting home at 10:30pm after a full day of physical activity and being "on," and then having to wake up at 4:30am to do it all over again is pretty fucking exhausting. The difference, I recognize, is that I do actually get to sleep in a couple times a week, and I'm beyond thankful for that. Perpetual sleep deprivation is definitely another reason I don't want children, but I commend the courageous men and women willing to sacrifice their slumber for 18 years or so.
Regarding fulfillment, I can assure you that having a child would not satisfy a missing piece to my life's puzzle. Because fulfillment comes from within and doesn't come from chasing happiness through external sources, there are many paths to fulfillment. Fulfillment stems from spending time doing what you love and living authentically, which is different for everyone. It's being at peace with who you are and the decisions you make regarding how to live your life.
Although I kind of hoped I'd be the rich, world-traveling aunt who could pay for her nephew's college education and could afford to take her whole family on vacations, I am not. But I've learned that being a single, childless, jet-setting city gal with plenty of disposable income is not the opposite of having a family.
I gain fulfillment from working out and being fit and healthy. I gain fulfillment from reading and learning. I gain fulfillment from being organized and having my shit together. I gain fulfillment from a full night of sleep and eating well. I gain fulfillment by setting new goals every year and working hard to reach them. I gain fulfillment at work by helping people become stronger and healthier than they were before they met me. I gain fulfillment from taking care of my pet bunnies. I gain fulfillment from spending Christmas with my family every year.
You see, my life is not lacking because I am not married and do not have children. There are a lot of things I love about my life that wouldn't even be possible if I were married with children.
I'm endlessly respectful of how anyone chooses to live their life, and all I want is for people to respect my path. At the very least, I hope people will understand that I am happy with the choices I've made for my life. And I hope that you are happy with the choices you've made for your life, understanding that amidst all of life's obligations, we are fortunate to have options.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
What I Learned in 2014
At the beginning of last year, I declared in this post that 2014 would be a rebuilding year. 365 days has officially come and gone, and I can say with confidence that I have successfully "rebuilt" myself into a person I'm proud to be and that I'm living a life that I'm proud of as well. Essentially, all it took was learning how to live as authentically as possible for me to be happy and feel successful with my life.
I find myself reflecting on the events of 2014 quite a bit. While no major milestones were reached, a tremendous amount of personal growth occurred, which only made me realize how much more I have to learn and how much more I want to do in this lifetime.
One big thing I learned in 2014 is how to really, truly, love someone by forgiving them of their flaws, and accepting that I can still be loved despite mine. I often wonder where I'd be in life had I never met my BFF. He has taught me so much, supported me so much, pushed me so much, and most of all, has loved me so much. Despite my stubborn and resistant nature, he has stood by my side through thick and thin and has taught me what it really means to love.
The relationship with my BFF strengthened immeasurably in 2014. Because of him (and in addition to some very powerful self help-ish books*), I finally realized how relationships are supposed to work. And I can no longer be the kind of person who participates in negative gossip or behavior, nor can I tolerate people who (inadvertently) make me feel judged, inferior, and are not supportive of my lifestyle and choices. Real, true friends express their honest opinions to your face, and are encouraging and supportive of you no matter what.
Another thing I learned in 2014 is that stuff is just stuff. In the big city, it's very easy to get caught up in the glamour and wish for all that sparkles and shines, because money and the "stuff" it affords is often flaunted and always easily visible. But while stuff is pretty to look at, stuff does not mean that the people who own it are necessarily happy. I guess this is pretty obvious, but I spent a lot of years comparing myself to others and dwelling on all the things I didn't have, so I need to repeat this lesson to myself more than I'm proud to admit.
But it brings me to my next point. I learned how to be at peace with myself despite whatever life situation I'm experiencing. 2014 taught me to really, truly, cherish the little things. The feeling after a workout and after a shower makes me so joyful. Folding laundry, cleaning, and preparing a meal all make me feel good because I'm taking care of my life and successfully managing the things I am able to control. Seeing a client progress before my eyes, cuddling with my bunny and BFF, and exploring the city with my BFF just to take pics made me so insanely happy and appreciative this year.
I learned that making memories with the people you love is far more important than making a lot of money. I make less than half the salary I was making at my job in Corporate America, but my job affords me the time and flexibility to be able to spend lots of time with the people who matter to me most. I was able to visit my family 5 times this year! I was also able to take my BFF and my fur baby along for 2 of those trips. To be able to have the people who mean the absolute most to me on this earth in one room together several times this year was definitely a major highlight.
Speaking of my fur baby, I learned that adopting and loving a fur baby makes me more present, more patient, more aware, and overwhelms me with love. I'm in love with a bunny and I don't care who knows it! She really is my baby and I am committed to giving her the best life possible. I was meant to meet her this year and my life has been increasingly blessed ever since I brought her home on that mild summer evening in early August.
Finally, I learned that the lessons one learns as an adult must be practiced. Constantly. Constantly practiced. The lessons learned as an adult are not as easy to recall as learning state capitals or times tables. Our minds are already super conditioned in our 30's, so it takes extra efforts to be able to change your mind about something, or be open to new ideas, or new ways of doing things.
For 2015 I made a list of 15 goals to work towards all year long, just as I had made 14 goals for 2014. I reached all but a few, but I learned that working towards goals (no matter how big, significant, or small) makes me feel more purposeful and well-rounded, and motivates me to want to do bigger and better things in life.
The lessons I want to put into practice for 2015 are to not to let money, or the lack thereof, control me and rule my life. For nearly my entire adult life I've let money govern my world. But there are so many times in life that you cannot control unexpected expenses, or bad months for personal training. I'm learning to have faith and to trust that I'll always have enough, because enough is all I need. But I have the tendency to easily fall off the tight rope of confidence and stress about money, and I want to stress less about money this year. I'm very responsible, and deep down I know I don't need to worry, so I guess I need to continue practicing trusting myself, trusting the universe, and knowing that money is only money, and my worth as a human being is not determined by how much money I have in the bank. I'll be okay no matter what, because I won't let myself not be okay.
Also for 2015, I want to learn how to and then practice relinquishing so much control over my life. I have a terrible habit of wanting every detail of my life to be controlled and managed, and I feel like this may be hurting me from progressing further in life. Basically, I need to get comfortable with taking chances by getting uncomfortable more often. I've taken some pretty big risks in my life, and the results been no easy adjustment, so I've become a little gun shy when it comes to change, even though the risks I've taken have been completely worthy of risk.
I don't think I've ever been more enlightened, felt more positive, or basked in more peace when starting a new year like I am this year. I'm excited to see what 2015 will bring, all the while enjoying each moment of each day as it happens. Stay present, my friends, and cheers to 2015!
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." - Henry David Thoreau
*The aforementioned "self help-ish" books that contributed to my increased inner peace and brighter outlook on life are as follows:
The Voice of Knowledge by don Miguel Ruiz: http://www.miguelruiz.com/store/books-card-decks/
The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz: http://www.miguelruiz.com/store/books-card-decks/
The Power of Now by Elkhart Tolle: http://www.eckharttolle.com/books/now/
I find myself reflecting on the events of 2014 quite a bit. While no major milestones were reached, a tremendous amount of personal growth occurred, which only made me realize how much more I have to learn and how much more I want to do in this lifetime.
One big thing I learned in 2014 is how to really, truly, love someone by forgiving them of their flaws, and accepting that I can still be loved despite mine. I often wonder where I'd be in life had I never met my BFF. He has taught me so much, supported me so much, pushed me so much, and most of all, has loved me so much. Despite my stubborn and resistant nature, he has stood by my side through thick and thin and has taught me what it really means to love.
The relationship with my BFF strengthened immeasurably in 2014. Because of him (and in addition to some very powerful self help-ish books*), I finally realized how relationships are supposed to work. And I can no longer be the kind of person who participates in negative gossip or behavior, nor can I tolerate people who (inadvertently) make me feel judged, inferior, and are not supportive of my lifestyle and choices. Real, true friends express their honest opinions to your face, and are encouraging and supportive of you no matter what.
Another thing I learned in 2014 is that stuff is just stuff. In the big city, it's very easy to get caught up in the glamour and wish for all that sparkles and shines, because money and the "stuff" it affords is often flaunted and always easily visible. But while stuff is pretty to look at, stuff does not mean that the people who own it are necessarily happy. I guess this is pretty obvious, but I spent a lot of years comparing myself to others and dwelling on all the things I didn't have, so I need to repeat this lesson to myself more than I'm proud to admit.
But it brings me to my next point. I learned how to be at peace with myself despite whatever life situation I'm experiencing. 2014 taught me to really, truly, cherish the little things. The feeling after a workout and after a shower makes me so joyful. Folding laundry, cleaning, and preparing a meal all make me feel good because I'm taking care of my life and successfully managing the things I am able to control. Seeing a client progress before my eyes, cuddling with my bunny and BFF, and exploring the city with my BFF just to take pics made me so insanely happy and appreciative this year.
I learned that making memories with the people you love is far more important than making a lot of money. I make less than half the salary I was making at my job in Corporate America, but my job affords me the time and flexibility to be able to spend lots of time with the people who matter to me most. I was able to visit my family 5 times this year! I was also able to take my BFF and my fur baby along for 2 of those trips. To be able to have the people who mean the absolute most to me on this earth in one room together several times this year was definitely a major highlight.
Speaking of my fur baby, I learned that adopting and loving a fur baby makes me more present, more patient, more aware, and overwhelms me with love. I'm in love with a bunny and I don't care who knows it! She really is my baby and I am committed to giving her the best life possible. I was meant to meet her this year and my life has been increasingly blessed ever since I brought her home on that mild summer evening in early August.
Finally, I learned that the lessons one learns as an adult must be practiced. Constantly. Constantly practiced. The lessons learned as an adult are not as easy to recall as learning state capitals or times tables. Our minds are already super conditioned in our 30's, so it takes extra efforts to be able to change your mind about something, or be open to new ideas, or new ways of doing things.
For 2015 I made a list of 15 goals to work towards all year long, just as I had made 14 goals for 2014. I reached all but a few, but I learned that working towards goals (no matter how big, significant, or small) makes me feel more purposeful and well-rounded, and motivates me to want to do bigger and better things in life.
The lessons I want to put into practice for 2015 are to not to let money, or the lack thereof, control me and rule my life. For nearly my entire adult life I've let money govern my world. But there are so many times in life that you cannot control unexpected expenses, or bad months for personal training. I'm learning to have faith and to trust that I'll always have enough, because enough is all I need. But I have the tendency to easily fall off the tight rope of confidence and stress about money, and I want to stress less about money this year. I'm very responsible, and deep down I know I don't need to worry, so I guess I need to continue practicing trusting myself, trusting the universe, and knowing that money is only money, and my worth as a human being is not determined by how much money I have in the bank. I'll be okay no matter what, because I won't let myself not be okay.
Also for 2015, I want to learn how to and then practice relinquishing so much control over my life. I have a terrible habit of wanting every detail of my life to be controlled and managed, and I feel like this may be hurting me from progressing further in life. Basically, I need to get comfortable with taking chances by getting uncomfortable more often. I've taken some pretty big risks in my life, and the results been no easy adjustment, so I've become a little gun shy when it comes to change, even though the risks I've taken have been completely worthy of risk.
I don't think I've ever been more enlightened, felt more positive, or basked in more peace when starting a new year like I am this year. I'm excited to see what 2015 will bring, all the while enjoying each moment of each day as it happens. Stay present, my friends, and cheers to 2015!
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." - Henry David Thoreau
*The aforementioned "self help-ish" books that contributed to my increased inner peace and brighter outlook on life are as follows:
The Voice of Knowledge by don Miguel Ruiz: http://www.miguelruiz.com/store/books-card-decks/
The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz: http://www.miguelruiz.com/store/books-card-decks/
The Power of Now by Elkhart Tolle: http://www.eckharttolle.com/books/now/
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Crazy Bunny Lady
Because I live an unconventional life, it would only make sense for me to adopt a bunny as my pet of choice, as opposed to a dog or cat. I'm alergic to cats and I don't have the time or money to take care of a dog, but it turns out that a bunny is a perfect pet for my lifestyle.
I'm pretty sure many people think that owning a bunny in the city is odd, maybe because they associate bunnies with farms or whatever. Well, I'd like to introduce the world to my Doodles. I adopted her on August 6th from Red Door Animal Shelter. She is an adorable bun with a fun and feisty personality and I love her more than words can describe. And while barn hay has become a very large and messy part of my everyday existence, I maintain that Doodles is very urban chic. After all, she was found fending for herself on the harsh streets of Chicago, making her a strong and independent little lady. She was most likely a bunny that was (irresponsibly) given to some spoiled kid at Easter only to be abandoned by her original family once they realized how much work goes into caring for a bunny. Sadly, this is the same story for most of the bunnies that find there way to Red Door.
Knowing this information regarding her background breaks my heart, but Doodles is the last one to hold a grudge. She is the most active, loving, thankful, healthy, and entertaining creature I've ever known. Her only "imperfection" is that she has a permanently dislocated toe - the only visible marking of her former life. It tears me apart to think about what may have caused her little toe injury, but it doesn't affect her one bit. She fearlessly jumps super high and hops through the house at lightening speed. She attacks me with bunny kisses and knows exactly how to manipulate me into giving her treats. She lets me pet her tiny nose and giant ears for as long as I would like, and she always returns the love with kisses.
Owning a pet is hard work, but the rewards far outweigh the cost and effort. I think the biggest change she has made in my life is allowing me to be a more present individual. I'm completely in the moment when I'm observing or petting her. For crying out loud, I have written so many blog posts about how much I struggle with being present, so why didn't anyone ever tell me that owning a pet could help me learn to clear my head and be fully in the moment?!
Doodles also reminds me to be more thankful on a regular basis. She gets a salad twice a day and a treat before bed and every single time she acts as if it's Christmas freakin' morning. It's adorable. Her reaction causes me to be more enthusiastic and thankful any time I eat too. Not that I'm not already enthusiastic about meal time anyway. But she makes me realize how blessed I am to be alive and have the means to obtain the fuel that keeps me living.
No matter where on this earth life and circumstance take me, I am fully committed to loving and caring for this bun and giving her the best damn life she deserves.
I'm pretty sure many people think that owning a bunny in the city is odd, maybe because they associate bunnies with farms or whatever. Well, I'd like to introduce the world to my Doodles. I adopted her on August 6th from Red Door Animal Shelter. She is an adorable bun with a fun and feisty personality and I love her more than words can describe. And while barn hay has become a very large and messy part of my everyday existence, I maintain that Doodles is very urban chic. After all, she was found fending for herself on the harsh streets of Chicago, making her a strong and independent little lady. She was most likely a bunny that was (irresponsibly) given to some spoiled kid at Easter only to be abandoned by her original family once they realized how much work goes into caring for a bunny. Sadly, this is the same story for most of the bunnies that find there way to Red Door.
Knowing this information regarding her background breaks my heart, but Doodles is the last one to hold a grudge. She is the most active, loving, thankful, healthy, and entertaining creature I've ever known. Her only "imperfection" is that she has a permanently dislocated toe - the only visible marking of her former life. It tears me apart to think about what may have caused her little toe injury, but it doesn't affect her one bit. She fearlessly jumps super high and hops through the house at lightening speed. She attacks me with bunny kisses and knows exactly how to manipulate me into giving her treats. She lets me pet her tiny nose and giant ears for as long as I would like, and she always returns the love with kisses.
Owning a pet is hard work, but the rewards far outweigh the cost and effort. I think the biggest change she has made in my life is allowing me to be a more present individual. I'm completely in the moment when I'm observing or petting her. For crying out loud, I have written so many blog posts about how much I struggle with being present, so why didn't anyone ever tell me that owning a pet could help me learn to clear my head and be fully in the moment?!
Doodles also reminds me to be more thankful on a regular basis. She gets a salad twice a day and a treat before bed and every single time she acts as if it's Christmas freakin' morning. It's adorable. Her reaction causes me to be more enthusiastic and thankful any time I eat too. Not that I'm not already enthusiastic about meal time anyway. But she makes me realize how blessed I am to be alive and have the means to obtain the fuel that keeps me living.
No matter where on this earth life and circumstance take me, I am fully committed to loving and caring for this bun and giving her the best damn life she deserves.
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| Doodles... also known as "Doody, Doody Bun, Doodle Baby, Doodster, Baby, Bunster |
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