Oh the Joys They Bring...

So in the past couple days I have run across these pictures. I was immediately taken by their unarguable cuteness, but it was not until today that I read the initial blog post on Momma's Gone City... Here are the pictures that will crush you with adorableness.

The story goes that this family had been wanting a puppy for sometime and had begun searching online and about at local rescues. When I read this it made me so happy. I am now partial to rescues having adopted my love from there just a bit over a year ago. Until I decided I wanted a dog and started the search I did not have an opinion on pet stores vs. rescues. But oh man do I now! There are so many dogs in need of rescue it's absurd. Anyway, back to to the story. This family ended up visiting their local shelter and choosing this little guy. solely because he made an immediate connection with their little man. He walked right into his lap upon entering the pen. That makes my heart happy. A connection is what it's all about. And boy were they right in sensing that connection, as evidenced above, these two are inseparable and the cutest pair I've ever seen! Right?!

I could go on for days about the relationship an owner has with their pup and the happiness that comes when you make a connection. When I went to find a dog for myself I really never thought about making that connection. I gave the rescue a list of dogs that I wanted to meet based on their pictures. My pup, Savannah wasn't even on the list! After meeting a few hyper dogs on my list, my now friend, Aaron brought out Savannah. He said that she was a good girl and he thought I would really like her. Well when she came out of the house on her leash she was jumping and really excited. I thought he was crazy! But then she ran over to me, sat down and stared up at me with those beautiful amber eyes. You could tell all she wanted was love. I bent down to pet her and she immediately snuggled into me. When I stood up she jumped up and gave me what we lovingly call her hug. She was calm, beautiful, and so ready for someone to love her. I knew she was the one I was meant to have. I came back everyday to take her on walks until the day I ultimately took her home. I honestly couldn't stop telling people about her (and actually still can't!). She's the best. She's cuddly, calm, always happy, and extremely loyal. The joy she has brought me is beyond measure. And that is why this story made me so happy, this family is witnessing the happiness and it is beyond anything they could have imagined. It's wonderful.

That's my thought for today. Hope you all are doing well! Tell me about your pets!

Cheers,
Shannon

P.S. If you are looking for a dog and are in AZ check out Lost Paws. They are the best. Ever.

Smitten...

1. Blue Valentine is one of my favorite movies. If you haven't seen it you should really check it out, it's fantastic. And if you have seen it then you know what I'm talking about. Here are some shots from one of my favorite scenes. Things that didn't make the movie (but that top left pic looks awfully familiar, any Crazy, Stupid, Love fans?). Also, fan of this movie or not you should really read this which, for me, makes it that much better.

2. Really want a picture like this with my dog... Yes, I know, I'm a crazy dog person. 

3. This is just fantastic. Dolce and Gabanna dress the Disney Villans. Perfect. 

4. My students and I have a little inside joke. Whenever I say "Ok, can you try this" they know it's going to be something a bit crazy. Sometimes I even preface it by saying, "This probably won't work, but lets just see how it goes". And you know what? A good fifty percent of the time it ends up working out! That's why I love this:

5. The hairstyle I covet is the perfect messy wave. Not trying too hard, but still looks good. This to me is exactly that:

Hope you all are having a great Tuesday! I know I am (Day off, woohoo!). Let me know what you guys are loving right now!

Cheers,

Shannon

Today...

Went for my daily coffee date today with my main girl, my dog Savannah. She is my favorite thing. The BEST dog. Anyway, my favorite coffee shop has the nicest people. The employees and the patrons. Meet new people everyday. It always makes my day when people are not scared of my oh-so-vicious pit bull. I could go on and on about ridiculous breed discrimination, but I won't. Sometimes I like to think that Savannah and I are helping to educate on the subject by going out in public everyday and letting people experience what a sweetheart she is. 

Today I met and old man who just fell in love with her, even going as far to joke about what a rough life she had with me and how he was going to take her home and give her the loving life she deserved. So cute. 

Below are a couple pics from our morning. New aztec print jeans that I'm loving, and of course my cute girl. 

Also, just another thought, saw this quote today. 

“We can’t jump off bridges anymore because our iPhones will get ruined. We can’t take skinny dips in the ocean, because there’s no service on the beach and adventures aren’t real unless they’re on Instagram. Technology has doomed the spontaneity of adventure and we’re helping destroy it every time we Google, check-in, and hashtag.”

—	Jeremy Glass, We Can’t Get Lost Anymore (via mymangotree)

I know people talk about this all the time, but its so very true. We are so connected. Constant contact. It reminds me of this thought on relationships, renewal, and our right to move on.

“We live in an age where we feel guilt whenever we have to cut someone off but the reality is that some relationships do need to die, some people do need to be un-followed and de-friended. We aren’t meant to be this tethered to the people in our past. The Internet mandates that we don’t burn bridges and keep everyone around like relics but those expectations are unrealistic and unhealthy. Simply put, we don’t need to know what everyone else is up to. We’re allowed to be choosy about who we surround ourselves with online and in real life, even if it might hurt people’s feelings.”

—	Thought Catalog  (via soul-surfer)

Basically, we live in an age where we can't go an hour, let alone a day without letting everyone we've EVER known what we are up to. Nothing is spontaneous, everything is planned. We even go as far to plan our actions based on what will make the best instagram picture. It's ridiculous. Or maybe its more sad than anything. We aren't living in the moment, we are living for "likes". Trying to paint a picture of the perfect, literally picture perfect, life. There is no depth to our experiences anymore, no letting go and just letting things happen. Too worried about the best way to show others how great our experiences are. But maybe if we put down the phones and got involved in more face-to-face conversations and discussions, adventures with nature, or even creative expression, letting our mind and body just flow, we would be surprised at how wonderful the day could be.

I am not ignorant, and I am not without fault of doing all the aforementioned things listed. I understand that technology is now an integral part of our lives. But I also know that planning for one a day a month where we don't check our phones or update the internet on our lives would be a day well spent. Disconnect from everyone, reconnect with what makes life worth it.

Just a thought... Even if it was a bit longwinded ;)

Hope you all enjoy your day!