Day 571

We have been busy preparing for the Progressive Dinner tomorrow evening. Our portion will be the appetizers and we are excited! However, cleaning, decorating, rearranging and a host of other tasks have left our Goldens a bit uneasy. They crave routine and expected behaviors from their people and we have not been keeping our part of the bargain.

Ranger and Lilly have been part of other celebrations and parties at The Big White House, but Gus and Sam are befuddled. You can almost see the bubble above their furry heads:

*"Why did you move my bed away from the TV?"

*"Where is my favorite bone...I know I left it right in the middle of the floor!"

*"Why is there food EVERYWHERE and we pups can't have any?"

*"Is there a reason you are collecting our Golden fluff?"

*"Vacuum...you know we hate that thing!"

Poor babies, I had washed the stairs and our daring Sammy was torn between following his Mama down the stairs or being separated from her! His devotion won out and my shadow eventually took its rightful place.

People hesitate to embrace change just like our furry friends. Most of us like the status quo and are not ready to give up the comfort of the expected. In my own life, when I have pushed myself to change in any way, it has been a good thing. Even if the decision to step outside my comfort zone did not yield the results expected, change made me stronger, wiser and more adaptable.

Even though I realize change can "be for the best," I usually choose to embrace my routines and rituals. Perhaps the reason might be that they work and they make me comfortable instead of on edge. There are times when I ask myself, "Why should I change?" Maybe I should ask the question, "Why should I not change?"

As life goes on, everyone will come to numerous crossroads where one road leads to the familiar while the other leads to the unknown. If the mystery road is safe and the heart is willing, it might just be the road to take. Now, my Goldens would probably choose the familiar and ask, "Why change a good thing? I am happy, warm, full of yummy food, exercised twice a day and loved beyond measure." Those pups would not want ANY change...but that's life. They will survive and, perhaps, get a few ear scratches and belly rubs at the party as well!