Day 972

Routines are so important to our ‘Halo of Goldens.’ Every morning, our day begins with Sammy snuggling in for a belly rub while the other three line up for “The Car Wash” where they conga line through my legs for back scratches! The expectations continue downstairs with going out the doggy door, breakfast, peanut butter-filled bones and Cheerios. If we skip a step, or change the routine, they let us know!

Being a creature of habit myself, I understand expectations. Routines, schedules and habits help life to flow smoothly. What happens when that routine is rattled? Attempts to regain the natural rhythms of life sometimes fail and you must embrace a new direction .

That new path can be frustrating and, if there is a huge shift in the norm, almost unsettling. Trying to get a foothold and gain some traction can help, but there are times when that is not an option.

The other choice is to embrace the new passageway and move forward. This might entail some regrets, as safety is in the rear view mirror, but the road ahead can hold so many exciting twists and turns! All journeys hold uphill, arduous moments, but these are often followed by a glorious coast down the road from the top of the hill.

Change is uncomfortable. It can be scary and challenging, but it can hold new, exciting adventures that would have been lost if “change” had not been embraced. Of course, I speak for the humans. Dogs, on the other paw, would choose their routine every time!