Labor Day with Coco

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you are all having a great holiday. If you are one of those essential workers who don't get today off, I hope your workday is easy and pleasant.

I have worked many holidays and am extremely grateful my current employer recognizes Labor Day and closes all locations for the day. My husband is not so fortunate. He is working his normal ten-hour shift today. While I slept until 7:30 a.m. today, he was up before 5:00 a.m., like always.

I have stayed home all day today. I had big plans to finish a few projects, write this post, judge some writing contest entries, and take a nap. Coco, my new puppy, had other ideas. No naps are allowed. I should have known that wasn't going to happen. The project I had planned to have completed by noon is only half finished, and it's after 4 o'clock. My other projects, including the judging, will go begging today.

What I have accomplished today is leash practice with Coco, feeding time with Coco and Ursula, walking around outside trying to coax Coco to do her job in the grass, cleaning up multiple puppy piddles that were made after we came back inside, washing puppy-soiled rugs, and some basic cleaning.

Coco led me on quite the chase around the house after I knocked my sinus medicine bottle off the table. In nothing flat, she had the bottle in her mouth like it was a rare treasure and was running for all she was worth. I finally played it cool and acted like I was doing something else. She fell for my ruse and settled into her doggy bed with my medicine. I snagged the bottle before she realized my intent. That crazy dog is drawn to things that she should absolutely not have.

On the upside, I have gotten plenty of cardio today. Honestly, Coco is a very sweet pup, but she is young and rambunctious. She chews on everything in sight--the more inappropriate the item, the more she chews on it. I've had to rescue shoes, rugs, a draft blocker, my medicine, a random toothpick I've no idea how she found, a box of copy paper, the book I was reading, several blankets, my computer's charging cable, the couch, and my husband's dirty clothes.

One item that is high on my list of things to do is to watch some puppy training videos. I have never dealt with a puppy and am out of my depth. When I put her on the leash, she acts like I'm killing her. She whines and sets her feet. I don't want to drag her around the yard, so we both have a lot of work to do.

I know that puppy phase will end, and she's learning new things every day. However, we have a long way to go before Coco reaches adulthood. At the moment, she is in full destruction mode. I have made certain she has plenty of appropriate chew toys and even bought her a playset, which she dismantles frequently.

Mama told me what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. Coco is making me very strong, indeed. I know these trials will be worth it in the years to come. She will be a great companion. We have many years of love and affection ahead of us.

While my plans for today didn't exactly pan out as I liked, I am still grateful for the day off work and the opportunity to stay home. Pup chaos aside, it was nice to wear comfy clothes and not worry about my hair and makeup. The phone didn't ring once, and no asked me for something I am unable to provide. I enjoyed watching videos while I did laundry and dishes with no one around to interrupt or offer opinions on the content I chose.

Another thing I did today was prepare my suitcase. I have started gathering things for an upcoming retreat and will be begin packing nonessentials this evening. Blankets, sheets, nightclothes, rugs, my travel alarm, and my sleep noise machine can all be packed now. The head start will allow me to be a little less stressed the night before I leave. When staying at a campground, it's important to remember everything because there's no hotel essentials shop for forgotten toothpaste or pillow.

Walmart and Dollar General are a half hour away from the campground, and I hate to leave my little corner of happiness to make an extra trip to the store. A thorough packing list and an extra day off to prepare are quite helpful.

Regardless of how you spent your holiday, I hope it was a good one.

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