Salt + Soul Adventures

Getting salty, smiling, and chasing experiences

Tag: dogs

  • Pond Ponderings

    Around this time last year, we decided to put in a swim pond.  Think fish pond, but for humans (though there are also fish, but little ones who won’t bite my butt or anything).  We had a corner of our yard that was a constant mud pit, a delight for the dogs until they realised playing in it=a hose-down and extra hours outside ‘cold and alone’…they’re a bit dramatic.  We’d begun considering putting a plunge pool in, as we’re on the Gold Coast and all the cool kids have one.  However, what to me looked like a big concrete or steel cube apparently cost $30,000+, and that was the basic one without any sort of pump, heater, etc.  Epp.  I suggested to Rob we could probably just get a second-hand water tank and cut the top off or something, and starting to send some Marketplace listings of options.  He was about to head overseas again for his yearly three months in Europe chasing summer while the dogs and I were left ‘cold and alone’ (see where they get it from…) in the Aus winter.  Whether it was the terror of another one of my ‘Hey babe look what I did while you were away!’ home DIY projects, or pure luck, he found something called swim ponds.  These magical backyard dreams were naturally filtering, chemical-free alternatives to pools, and even okay for dogs to swim in!   Keep talking Rob…

    Lo and behold, one of the companies was currently doing one with our house builder, and based locally!  After managing to get an appointment with them, and learning our space would be a bit tricky to access for equipment but workable, we were sold.  It also helped they could do it pretty much straight away, just before we were heading overseas (ok I wasn’t going to be all alone the whole three months, I got to go the first few weeks with Rob).  A few weeks and less than half the price of a plunge pool later, we had a swim pond, complete with its own waterfall!  It’s also two metres deep in the middle, meaning the volleyball lads love it and the dog is entertained for hours when his frisbee sinks to the bottom. 

    So, here I currently sit, pondering by the pond and warming back up in the sun as seems in winter this magical oasis is basically a giant ice-bath.  It’s Sunday, which usually means yard work and tinkering around the house, with today no exception.  However, after about seven hours of chorin’, I figure it’s rest time.  That’s a bit of a new concept for me, as someone who regularly feels like I need to be doing something to make the most of the day.  However, in recent months I’ve realised down time is sometimes the best thing I could be doing.  I read a quote the other week about how doing lots of things isn’t the same as doing the right things, but if you’re constantly staying busy you don’t allow yourself the time and space to reflect on what those right things are.  So, you just end up doing ‘stuff’ constantly but still never feeling like you’ve actually made progress towards your goals, if you even know what they are, or really done anything at all.  Yup, getting deep down here by our deep pond.  This doesn’t just go for work, though that’s probably where it may be most obvious to notice.  It’s also our finances, social life and relationships, health, and probably every other facet of life.  For example, I’m a health professional, and constantly I see clients who ‘have tried everything’ but still can’t lose weight, or feel stronger, or have more energy.  Often, it’s because they are doing so many things, but not the ‘right’ things.  They move from one approach or workout routine to the next to the next in short succession, without allowing the downtime or just time in general to see results. 

    Personally, I was like that in relationships, especially friendships.  I constantly felt like I needed to be meeting new people, and moving to new places or trying new activities, and therefore changing my friends along with it.  When I finally slowed down though, I realised there were only a few people I felt I could call for a lift to the airport at an ungodly hour (the true test of friendship).  My busyness was leaving me lonely and disconnected.  While I still like to meet new people and experience new things, now I also recognise the importance of deeper friendships, and simply being with these folks, possibly not even doing a thing. 

    Well, the sun has now moved behind a tree and coldness is demanding I get back to doing (the right thing though=inside and warm shower!).  However, if you’ve made it this far, give yourself a little space every day to stop, breath out slowly, and take a break from ‘doing’.  Then, make sure when you start back up, what you’re doing has a relevant purpose for you.  Good luck!

  • The story of Peanut

    Eight years ago, I got permanent residency for Australia.  As any logical person would then do, I decided it was immediately time to get a second dog.  I mean, the country wasn’t kicking me out now, so why not take on another super needy creature to celebrate.  At this point, I already had one, whom I acquired when a mate went on holidays for a few weeks…and then never took him back (we’re still friends).  In all honesty I didn’t really fight it, Koby the dog basically raised himself.  He’d go for self-walks to the local café and scheme food as he sat out front with his penis out (turns out it’s a thing for some dogs when they sit a certain way…however the creepy grin he’d have on his face while it was didn’t help).  He would also walk himself to the beach and visit the lifeguards, who luckily found him enjoyable instead of worthy of a $350+ fine every time for swimming between the flags, encouraged for humans but illegal for dogs here on the Gold Coast.  Oh yeah, the beach was also across a 4-lane highway.  It was time to move. 

    This eventually led us to sharing a house with a mate and his large female American Staffy, who chose to be besties with Koby instead of eatting him thankfully.  During this time, my residency came through.  Somehow I persuaded my current housemate a third dog would be a grand idea, and also Rob, the fella I’d just started dating (as in, 2nd date) that he should come to the pound and help me choose.  That one didn’t take too much persuading, though Rob may also have thought at the time he wouldn’t be around to have to share the dog raising adventure (sucker, we’re still together).  So, 2nd date pound visit here we come!  As I wander down the row of cages looking for ‘the one’ amongst all of these adorable abandoned furballs and contemplating just how many we could get away with having until Council caught on, I realise I’ve lost Rob.  I turn around, and about 20 metres back here’s this 6’6” man sitting in front of a cage, looking spellbound.  As I stroll back, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Well, here’s my dog whether I like it or not.’  Her identity card reads ‘Peanut’ and says she’s a four-month-old Vizsla cross, whatever that is.  Apparently it’s Vizsla crossed with horse, as this ‘puppy’ towers over the others.  As Rob stares on in pure adoration, Peanut meanwhile is lying on the cage floor, only bothering to open one eye and look completely unimpressed.  I’ll give it to her, gal had sass.  I was intrigued.

    As one of the staff brings her and us to the meet and greet area, we hear how she’s grown up in the pound and probably needs to get out soon or she may go into even deeper depression and be really hard to train.  Oh geez lady, just give me the paperwork and invoice now!  Then, we get into the fenced area and all hell breaks loose.  This calm, placid dog launches herself on Rob, taking a chunk of his beard with her as she tries to cover him with as many licks as she can.  After untangling himself, she spends some time going AWOL around the compound amidst throwing herself back at him.  Looks like if I want to keep this man, I’ve just got myself a dog (and some competition!).

    To ensure everyone is one big happy family, you have to bring any other animals who live in the house for a meet and greet.  So, a few days later I load up Koby and my housemate’s dog (who’s about 50kg of pure muscle) and off we go.  The poor pound worker leading the meeting looked terrified as I bring in this manically grinning Staffy (Koby) and his giant friend.  Somehow, they both decided Peanut was alright, and we got the all clear to adopt and take her home that day!  Paperwork done and a small, very very worth it adoption fee paid, into the back of the truck they go, with strict instructions from the pound to not leave them all alone together the first few days juuust in case.  Then, I reach into my pocket for my car keys…and find nothing.  Uh-oh.  Surely I can just run back inside quick and leave them all tied up together!  ‘Quick’ turns into a 45-minute hunt through the place for my keys, which were finally discovered hidden under one of the dog leash racks in the little shop area.  I mean, if you’re going to lose things, go big!  Frantically I run back to the truck, scared to look (as I assume there’s no return option if your new adopted dog gets eaten by one of your others in the carpark…).  Phew!!!  Apparently the panic they’d all been abandoned bonded them, and they were huddled together and very eager to see me.

    Finally, we make it home.  Rob comes rushing over the second he finishes work, to see his new girlfriend (Peanut not me), who proceeds to lap up the attention.  Eight years later, she still loves him best, but at least I feel relatively on par with her now.  It’s definitely not been an easy eight years with Peanut, but those are tales for another post.  However, even with all of the madness she’s brought, the simple joy and fantastic body heat she provides when Rob’s away for months over winter makes it all worth it. 

    **If you have always wanted a pet and understand the years of responsibility it requires, I can’t recommend adopting from a shelter enough!  Even if you can foster, you’ll quickly realise what a lifechanging impact you can so easily and quickly make in an animal’s life 😊**