IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK

Me and Roxy. She is a little gray now

We have been gone since 2020. FIVE YEARS!!!! A lot has happened. Roxy service dog working days are winding down, she is transitioning to retirement. Trust me, she is completely fine not wearing the harness all the time. What does that mean for me? Roxy was my primary accessibility and now I am heavily relying on my white cane and using what O&M has taught me. It is a learning curve and calling traffic is so important that I take my time.

The major milestones in our life:

1. I am now working an as a workers compensation adjuster remotely now. I love this work and feel like I can make a difference in injured workers lives. I have been going strong at my latest company for over 3 years. I plan on getting my Texas license in 2026 to strengthen my knowledge.

2. We no longer live in Ohio. I moved south to Texas. Living in a rural small college sleepy town. I love it. I am surrounded by woods and wildlife. My neighborhood has snakes, deer, bobcats, rabbits, foxes, alligators ( I live by a huge lake). For people to come see me, they will truly understood what a "country"mile feels and looks like.

3. Roxy service dog days are almost over. She works only when I really need her which I try to keep at a minimum and use my white cane instead more and more everyday. She is getting ready for the transition to full retirement and just to be a happy, plump, loved hound dog. I plan to throw her a big party when she fully retires and create a shadow box holding her harness as a core memory.

4. I am such a introvert now. I am not that vocal and social as I used to be. But I still love this pages mission and trying to figure out what to do to have it gain momentum.

5. Jeez, I am old. I am 49 years old and in full blown menopause. Hello, itchy skin, sleepless nights, my body temperature out of control and waking up with the moon, not the sun, lol. I also have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. All my bad habits are catching up with me but with my PCP's help, medication and diet; I am finally wrapping my arms around it.

6. And lastly, I more than likely will not get another guide dog. I will go over what in my next post.

But overall, many changes but content and happy to be back on this blog!