Walking with Gracie

Walking with Gracie hasn’t always been easy. I was missing have a dog since we had lost ours three years ago. When we decided to get a puppy I was thrilled! We would go for long walks , be outside, stay fit- you know- the fantasy one dreams of. Well, it hasn’t exactly gone the way I had planned but I think now that she is a year old there has been a breakthrough!

Happy surprises

Walking with Gracie has led me to places I haven’t walked before and its been wonderful. The things seen now are amazing. Past walks have been all out done in defensive mode. She pulled, became stubborn, grew scared of simple things, etc. They weren’t fun for either of us.

Walking with Gracie the past 3 times has been, dare I say, fun. She has been good on the leash and not fought the gentle leader. She is able to walk past other people, kids, dogs, babies, bikes, even noisy skateboards and scooters without skipping a beat. Wow!

Something has clicked and I couldn’t be happier. We had our longest walk yet today- being armed with multiple biscuits helps- but so does nature, the woods and new smells.

Fairy houses and sculptures

We will need to be ready for snow shoe hikes that will be here sooner than we may want. This training has been good so far.

Todays walk brought fairy houses and a cool sculpture overlooking the river- that was a nice surprise. This may be our new place to get more accustomed to being out and about. Hopefully we can start to tackle more challenging areas- actual real hikes soon.

The need for constant biscuits

Walking with Gracie I realized I needed to have supplies at the ready. I found an old small purse type bag to use for my phone and biscuits. So, of course, as we walked I was designing a hooked bag to take with me on these jaunts. It is in my head- now to get it on linen. The bag shouldn’t take long to make and will be very useful, functional and pretty.

New bag design coming

Watch for photos as I design this bag and start using it regularly. Maybe I can make one for you-

My collection of acorn caps grew today too. There were some larger ones on the ground that will be perfect for the needle felted acorn decorations I love to make. I confess- I just CAN. NOT. WALK. PAST. A. GREAT. ACORN.CAP. it’s a little crazy, but true… Perhaps that is what will be the next project- no the bag- no the custom rug order- no the jack pumpkins…ah too many choices!! I best get to work with one or more of these creations. Patterns need to be realized and rugs need to be bound. Yikes!

Walking with Gracie tomorrow will more than likely bring ideas that will go on the list.

So…it ended up being the Jack pumpkins – but now that they are finished- on to the bag!

Happy walking- whoever you do it with!