With the new year starting, of course, I want to start having better habits – earlier bedtime, a designated self-care day (or two…one mid-week, one on the weekend), meal prepping, working out, you know the drill.

But something I haven’t been as consistent with is taking care of Patches, my dog.

Now, I take care of him in the sense that he’s fed, I take him out to pee/poop, I play with him, but there are things he needs to work on, just like I need to work on things in my own life. Like, he really has to learn he can’t just jump on strangers, or anyone who’s company when they come over. He gets so excited, and while it’s friendly excited, it can be a bit much.

So, my friend Lydia came over today to help me and Patches with this new feat. He definitely jumped all over Lydia, and was so excited to see her, but eventually he calmed down, at some points still wanting to be all over her, but then getting used to her presence again.

I want to be consistent with Patches in this, and in the training he was given months ago that was supposed to help with him staying in one spot while I walked away and then came back, etc. Life gets so busy sometimes, but when you have a pet, it’s like having a child – they have needs and desires, just like you. So, it’s best to understand what those are (including outside of the basic needs), and do the best you can to help them succeed as well.

All that to say, I have new years’ resolutions for Patches, whether he knows it or not. And hopefully, I’ll be back on here to blog about his progress in the near future. It’s all baby steps right now since I can’t really have someone come over every day to help with Patches’ excitement, but doing a little I know will go a long way.

Do you have any pets? What are some resolutions you have for them? Are there any that might seem intimidating or frustrating to you?

Mishy 🦋