The Daily Q: The Strangest Things Make Us Happy

Mary-Ann Sontag May 2, 2020

Dear Husband gave me the BEST anniversary presents!!!!

Pandemics certainly do shift our perspective.

And speaking of shifting perspectives, Alison shared something that helps her with all this pandemic stuff is remembering she is in charge of her own happiness.

This is an excellent reminder — unless the tin foil hat works for you, what happens in our mind is under our control.

Sometimes it takes repeated mental channel changing — and maybe some fresh new batteries in the remote control…

…but switching to the Happy Channel is something we can do, even if only to watch the commercials of what is to come.

Like getting back to things we love…

GCH PACH Tristan — one of the iPups. Dual Champion — I am still giddy over that amazing accomplishment.

Thanks to Alison for the update, the reminder, and the photos — always so appreciated.

Meanwhile in Montana…

…the elk are wondering when the Big and Official Announcement is happening.

Soon, Dear Friends — very soon.

Have a HAPPY Weekend — because you can.

The Daily Q: Shipwrecked

Mary-Ann Sontag May 1, 2020

Jack and Kathy officially live in two places but found themselves unexpectedly living in yet a third place — Kathy sends us this report:

“We came to San Diego for a two day trip on January 31, and we got caught up in a family emergency. Like Gilligan’s Island, we are still here three months later with no immediate end in sight. Now we are on strict stay at home orders. Fortunately we have these two guys who manage to brighten each day.

It’s nice because when you are stuck on “ground hog day,” they bring a little bit of diversion and calm. They brighten each and every day. At a time when we must count our blessings, they are certainly right up there at the top.

Ashlee leads us in yoga three times a week by FaceTime. The dogs participate a little too actively. Then I read stories to Hal. He loves it! We also play family games via Zoom once a week and have a family get together once a week where we have celebrated four birthdays this past month. The dogs even talk to one another from house to house. They are especially interested in Abbie (Sparkler). We are so fortunate to have means of getting together virtually.”

Thank you, Kathy!

I LOVE the idea of virtual family yoga and am going to suggest it to our family yoga instructor. Sharing ideas about how we are coping is what this community series is all about — keep those updates and photos coming!

The Daily Q: From California

Mary-Ann Sontag April 30, 2020

I love the updates I am getting! Today we hear from Tony — he and Brody are holed up in northern California with Nikko (iPup) and ZeD (Sparkler).

Tony shares:

“It’s been Week 6 since quarantine and both Nikko and ZeD are wondering why I’m home everyday. They also wonder why breakfast is an hour later! We also get to go on longer walks and runs in the morning. It’s eerily quiet, just an occasional dog walker here and there. I’m not complaining!

With the exception of going to the butcher to get bones for the dogs every Saturday and a trip to Costco every weekend, we pretty much take shelter in place rather seriously. My aunt made masks and sent them up to us and her children and spouses who are all doctors. They can’t wear hospital masks out of the hospital, not that they have any to spare anyway.”