Some days I go out into The Lung and I don’t connect, or at least I think I don’t. Some anxiety seems impossible to override. It's like pulling teeth to get myself out to walk the dogs, but it turns out that is always when I need it the most. No surprises there. This is how it’s been for the last week since I got home from my two-week work marathon – crabby and sore. My inner critic bitch-out voice on 10.
I’ve been taking my sleeping bag with me in the snowy forest, found a peaceful spot and taken a nap. Well, I don’t really fall asleep...just stare at the snowy canopies and the slowly falling snow 😊 (I am very much a winter person)
I love this. I am overdue for an outdoor adventure, that's what I do to feel alive, and i just moved to Seattle where everywhere is gorgeous. I used to go hiking all the time with my best bud (my dog), but she's old now and partially paralyzed in the back end. I haven't gone out into the forests because I can't take her and it feels so empty to be without her. I have to do it though, how do I break that bubble of hesitancy? How do I live in the world, without my sweet old friend with me all the time like always?
Welcome to Seattle! I have some gear that my old arthritic tripod dog used to use — a harness for her pelvis so I could help support her while she walked, and a backpack to carry her in — ol’ Ruby isn’t with me anymore so the assistive equipment is ready for a new home. If your pal is the same size, the gear is yours if you want to try it. How big is she? Ruby was ~35 lbs.
Aw thank you so much! My buddy is a 75 pounder, so those won't quite fit, lol. I did get her a Help Em Up Harness which is a huge help. I highly recommend them for anyone with a pet that needs help getting around.
I appreciate it though, thank you and thanks for the welcome! I absolutely love it here, it really feels like home already.
That's what I had for Ruby and it was SO helpful. I had to support her back end while she walked so I had a short leash attached to it on the side with no leg, so I could give her just a little boost when she took a step. It worked great and kept her able to go on long (in duration, not distance) walks to sniff things and greet people for much longer than I'd expected. I hope you are able to find solutions for your pal too! <3 dogs
I wish I could! I don't have the space or the funds for a second dog friend. I was thinking about asking to borrow dogs from my neighbors in the apartment complex...
I dance--move really--as hard as I can for as long as I can. Until I can't go anymore. Until I'm just a sweat rag, limp noodle on the floor. Until I ache everywhere--that's when I feel like I am both outside and totally inside of my body.
I Play mediocre violin by the (currently raging ) butte creek. Hoping I may have a nature encounter, Maybe an otter playing around might be curious about a human.... my Snow White fantasy of The animals wanting to be my friend. 😭
Getting out into the great outdoors is indeed a good way to remember, out of the mind and back into the body and the world. Of course listening to a great song always works. Going to see live music works better. Coming up with an intriguing musical phrase myself works just about the best.
I dig down on all fours through the snow until I find the moss and buried forest floor and press my face to it and inhale deeply and say thank you thank you thank you.
I just got back from a weekend on the Oregon coast watching the last of the king tides of the season. I am lucky to live in Portland and have such easy access to this beautiful coastline. That cold, wild water of the Pacific Northwest calls me, and calms me. It’s truly important that we all find that place in nature that pulls us in and let’s us be whole. I feel my true self out there. I think about all of the people who have made those little coastal communities their homes. I think about people who came to those areas and worked hard on the water, and the indigenous tribes who have known that ocean for centuries before we ever showed up over here. I’m happy you had such a beautiful day, Neko. As hard as it can be (and, man, it’s definitely been hard lately!!) getting out to those places that restore us is as important as ever.
A walk with the dog in the snow always does it for me. My dingo loooooves the snow. Yesterday my SO and I just stood 30 feet apart from eachother and she got her zoomies out running back and forth between us. The big smiles dogs get making chase in the snow gives me life!
To remind myself I am alive I sing karaoke at my desk or in the car. (I find karaoke tracks on YouTube.)
I’ve been taking my sleeping bag with me in the snowy forest, found a peaceful spot and taken a nap. Well, I don’t really fall asleep...just stare at the snowy canopies and the slowly falling snow 😊 (I am very much a winter person)
I love this. I am overdue for an outdoor adventure, that's what I do to feel alive, and i just moved to Seattle where everywhere is gorgeous. I used to go hiking all the time with my best bud (my dog), but she's old now and partially paralyzed in the back end. I haven't gone out into the forests because I can't take her and it feels so empty to be without her. I have to do it though, how do I break that bubble of hesitancy? How do I live in the world, without my sweet old friend with me all the time like always?
Welcome to Seattle! I have some gear that my old arthritic tripod dog used to use — a harness for her pelvis so I could help support her while she walked, and a backpack to carry her in — ol’ Ruby isn’t with me anymore so the assistive equipment is ready for a new home. If your pal is the same size, the gear is yours if you want to try it. How big is she? Ruby was ~35 lbs.
Aw thank you so much! My buddy is a 75 pounder, so those won't quite fit, lol. I did get her a Help Em Up Harness which is a huge help. I highly recommend them for anyone with a pet that needs help getting around.
I appreciate it though, thank you and thanks for the welcome! I absolutely love it here, it really feels like home already.
That's what I had for Ruby and it was SO helpful. I had to support her back end while she walked so I had a short leash attached to it on the side with no leg, so I could give her just a little boost when she took a step. It worked great and kept her able to go on long (in duration, not distance) walks to sniff things and greet people for much longer than I'd expected. I hope you are able to find solutions for your pal too! <3 dogs
You get a new friend while your sweet old girl can train her for you
I wish I could! I don't have the space or the funds for a second dog friend. I was thinking about asking to borrow dogs from my neighbors in the apartment complex...
I dance--move really--as hard as I can for as long as I can. Until I can't go anymore. Until I'm just a sweat rag, limp noodle on the floor. Until I ache everywhere--that's when I feel like I am both outside and totally inside of my body.
I try to master these moves! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1OBMF1V_q4
Listening to really good music makes me feel alive. Can’t wait to see you in Cincy next Friday!
For me, I watch my little girl talk to herself and play in the front yard, oblivious to climate change and right-wing politics. I also play my drums[:
I Play mediocre violin by the (currently raging ) butte creek. Hoping I may have a nature encounter, Maybe an otter playing around might be curious about a human.... my Snow White fantasy of The animals wanting to be my friend. 😭
Getting out into the great outdoors is indeed a good way to remember, out of the mind and back into the body and the world. Of course listening to a great song always works. Going to see live music works better. Coming up with an intriguing musical phrase myself works just about the best.
I'll go ahead and twist my ankle regularly to remind myself I'm alive. Works every dang time.
😂
Thanks for the reminder to get out on my XC skis and enjoy the bounty that we have here in Western Washington. Excelsior!
Live music is my church and helps me to feel alive.
I dig down on all fours through the snow until I find the moss and buried forest floor and press my face to it and inhale deeply and say thank you thank you thank you.
I just got back from a weekend on the Oregon coast watching the last of the king tides of the season. I am lucky to live in Portland and have such easy access to this beautiful coastline. That cold, wild water of the Pacific Northwest calls me, and calms me. It’s truly important that we all find that place in nature that pulls us in and let’s us be whole. I feel my true self out there. I think about all of the people who have made those little coastal communities their homes. I think about people who came to those areas and worked hard on the water, and the indigenous tribes who have known that ocean for centuries before we ever showed up over here. I’m happy you had such a beautiful day, Neko. As hard as it can be (and, man, it’s definitely been hard lately!!) getting out to those places that restore us is as important as ever.
A walk with the dog in the snow always does it for me. My dingo loooooves the snow. Yesterday my SO and I just stood 30 feet apart from eachother and she got her zoomies out running back and forth between us. The big smiles dogs get making chase in the snow gives me life!
I ride hard, long, and fast.I deflate, I do bathing meditation, I reinflate. She’s revived and alive.