My journey continues...

[finn's mom]

The nomad that I am, I am returning to the Lone Star State. I'd prefer to stay in South Carolina, as I'm not Texas's number one fan. ;) Don't get me wrong, I love certain things about it, but, I'd rather live here in the pretty little state of South Carolina. But, I digress. I am in love. I have loved my best friend, David, for years now, but, we were never both available at the same time. Now, we are. And, it's about darn time! I have felt love before and have felt passion before and have felt like "this is it" a couple times. But, hind sight being what it is, I've always seen red flags that I should have paid attention to. I always felt like I could get around certain things or certain types of personalities. But, I'm really praying that David and I can make a life together. He doesn't want to stay in Texas, either, so, who knows where we'll go from here. But, for now, Plano it is. Finn and I will be moving in with him and his two dogs, Freckles and Dudley. Wish us well, would ya? We are best friends, have been for about seven years, and, I've known him since I was about 15, though we weren't high school sweethearts. Anyway, I just wanted to share with you all the newest chapter in my story. :) Thanks, if you read this far. ;)

[Karen]

Oh, good luck, and I hope the dogs get along well, too!

[Jadapit]

Kari, I wish you and David all the happiness in the world, you so deserve it! That is so awesome that you were best friends first I think that is so important for a relationship. I truly wish you all the best with your new journey in life. :D

[Cataholic]

Look at it this way, as long as you are moving along, no mold can grow on you! Good luck with your next step. ;)

[finn's mom]

Hey, thanks guys. Donna, I know, I'm happy that this has happened for him and me, I think it's important, too, to be friends first...I've always lacked that connection at first.

Karen, me, too! ;) We are going to take as many precautions as we need to to make this a smooth situation.

Any suggestions on introducing new dogs to eachother would be greatly appreciated, of course.

Dudley and Freckles are smaller dogs (schnauzer and whippet mix) and are both five. Finn, of course, is about 2 1/2 and weighs over 80 pounds. We're thinking of introducing them on neutral ground, off leash, with muzzles, just to be on the safe side. Not completely sure, though.

[Glacier]

How exciting! I hope the move goes smoothly and your new life gets off to a wonderful start!

[Daisy and Delilah]

My Dear Friend Kari, I hope you know how much I'm praying for you and hoping this all works out exactly the way you want it to. I think you'll do well in this relationship, as you do everything else. I wish you all the happiness that the world has to offer. Keep us posted on all new developments. Love ya sweetie!! :D

[Laura's Babies]

I hope you have nothing but the best of luck in the new chapter of your life and that it has a happy ending for you.

[finn's mom]

Thanks for the well wishes! Terry, i don't know what you're talking about! ;) I haven't done that well in many other things, hahahahaha, but, check out the new quote in my signature. it works and makes a lot of sense. :)

i love ya, terry, you rock!

thanks again everyone!

[ramanth]

Lots of luck!!! :D :D

[lvpets2002]

:) Woo Hoo cant wait to meet you.. Plano is in the metroplex not far from me.. There is several of us in the round about area of the metroplex.. Let me know if you need any help..

[CountryWolf07]

Aw how exciting! :) GOOD LUCK! :)

[Rachel]

Of course I don't know your friend, David, but there is something about a guy who has two small dogs named Freckles and Dudley that just warms my heart. I do wish you and him the very best of luck. Do you have a job lined up?

[Toby's my baby]

Congrats! I hope everything turns out great, and you don't have any bumps along the way..but how could you, being the loving Kari that I know! ;)

Good luck!! Hope it turns out to be a fairytale ending!

[chocolatepuppy]

Best of luck! I hope things work out for you, David and the pups! :D

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Good luck! :) Hope everything works out the way you want it!

[Alysser]

Oh Kari, thats awesome! :D Im so happy for you, good luck to you and David and I hope all the dogs get along well! :)

[finn's mom]

Look at it this way, as long as you are moving along, no mold can grow on you! Good luck with your next step. ;)

Hahahaha, that's funny. Yeah, no mold here. ;)


Woo Hoo cant wait to meet you.. Plano is in the metroplex not far from me.. There is several of us in the round about area of the metroplex.. Let me know if you need any help..

Awesome! I lived in around the metroplex for about six and a half years before moving back to South Carolina...so, yeah, we'd better meet this time around! ;) And, thank you for the offer, I will surely let you know if I do.



Of course I don't know your friend, David, but there is something about a guy who has two small dogs named Freckles and Dudley that just warms my heart. I do wish you and him the very best of luck. Do you have a job lined up?

I know what you mean, it's very attractive. :) And, the dogs are as sweet as they can be, and, David is very sweet with them. Freckles is definitely his girl. It's really endearing.

As for a job, not yet. I've got my resume out there, and, David is looking, too. I'm not too worried about getting a job to get by on. I have never really had a problem finding work. I'd like to find something more this time, something I could advance in. But, we shall see!


Congrats! I hope everything turns out great, and you don't have any bumps along the way..but how could you, being the loving Kari that I know!

Good luck!! Hope it turns out to be a fairytale ending!

You're very sweet. I'm sure we will have bumps, we're both very headstrong people, but, very aware of eachother's feelings. I'm okay with bumps. I don't really worry too much about the fairy tale ending anymore, but, he's most certainly my prince. ;) Hahahaha, no more toads for this girl!

And, to everyone's well wishes, thank you from the bottom of my heart! It means a lot to have so much good luck coming my way. :) I will certainly tell you all how the introductions go. David's met Finn, when he was a puppy, but, his two dogs have never met Finn. I'm not asking for instant best friends, I just want them to tolerate eachother at least. :)

[dukedogsmom]

Hey, I just now saw this. Good luck! I wish you both well. We'll look forward to seeing pics of all the dogs. I hope it turns out happy for you. Love is indeed, in the air, it seems. Let us know how it goes, ok?

[Toby's my baby]

. I don't really worry too much about the fairy tale ending anymore, but, he's most certainly my prince. ;) Hahahaha, no more toads for this girl!


Lol! :p

Do you know when you will be moving down there yet?

[Oggyflute]

This is great Kari, I'm so pleased for you. :) I could offer various words of wisdom I guess, but just follow your heart, you have a real good one. :)
(I've just got to like a bloke who has kids with schnauzer in them :D )

[Karen]

The meeting on neutral territory is a wise idea. That way no one has to feel territorial about more then his or her individual human being.

Finn'll surely be the "obnoxious young kid" of the bunch - he's Lab! Exhuberance is part of his DNA! - but hopefully the older two will tell him the ground rules with no bloodshed involved, and they can all get along!

[cloverfdx]

Oh Kari how exciting :D. I wish yourself, David and the pups all the best {{Hugs}}.

[finn's mom]

Hey, I just now saw this. Good luck! I wish you both well. We'll look forward to seeing pics of all the dogs. I hope it turns out happy for you. Love is indeed, in the air, it seems. Let us know how it goes, ok?


Yeah? Who else is in l.o.v.e.? ;) I miss talking to you by the way! But, you know I'll be doing my best to get pictures of all three dogs!

[finn's mom]

Lol! :p

Do you know when you will be moving down there yet?

Yeah, I'm leaving on the 18th!

[finn's mom]

This is great Kari, I'm so pleased for you. :) I could offer various words of wisdom I guess, but just follow your heart, you have a real good one. :)
(I've just got to like a bloke who has kids with schnauzer in them :D )

Oh, man, Trev, that is just about the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time. Thank you!

And, Dudley is actually 100% Schnauzer. :) I had posted pictures of Freckles and him in dog general, maybe I should bump them back up. :)

[finn's mom]

The meeting on neutral territory is a wise idea. That way no one has to feel territorial about more then his or her individual human being.

Finn'll surely be the "obnoxious young kid" of the bunch - he's Lab! Exhuberance is part of his DNA! - but hopefully the older two will tell him the ground rules with no bloodshed involved, and they can all get along!

Yeah, Freckles has put other dogs in their place, but, not very nicely. Well, she'll growl to show them her feelings, and, then she beats them up if they don't take the hint. Hopefully, Finn will take the growl and learn from it. We will have control of the situation. And, we'll get professional trainers involved if we have to.

[finn's mom]

Oh Kari how exciting :D. I wish yourself, David and the pups all the best {{Hugs}}.

:D Thank you so much!

[Pam]

I wish you and David well and hope the dog blending goes smoothly. :) Your new signature quote about experience is so true. How simple but how very true. :)

[Ginger's Mom]

Originally posted by finn's mom I know what you mean, it's very attractive. And, the dogs are as sweet as they can be, and, David is very sweet with them. Freckles is definitely his girl. It's really endearing.


Originally posted by finn's mom I'm sure we will have bumps, we're both very headstrong people, but, very aware of eachother's feelings. I'm okay with bumps.

I find both of these posts as postive indicators for you Kari. :) (Isn't there a quote somewhere about finding out the true measure of a man by the way he treats his dog?) I am very excited for you, and Finn, as you start off on the next leg of your journey. Positive thoughts and vibes being sent out.

[finn's mom]

I wish you and David well and hope the dog blending goes smoothly. :) Your new signature quote about experience is so true. How simple but how very true. :)


No kidding. I'm reading a book right now called The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and I got it from that. it's a tremendous book about self improvement, and, I'm looking forward to taking the lessons to heart. David and I both are learning a lot from the book, from eachother, and, from some other things that we are doing. It's pretty awesome. :)

[ChrisH]

Oh, Kari, I am so happy for you!!! :D Being such good friends is a great basis for a great relationship - friends and lovers, can't be beat!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/CwmmawrJet/Bobby%20Boy/Miscellaneous/Smilies/Hugs2.gif

[finn's mom]

I find both of these posts as postive indicators for you Kari. :) (Isn't there a quote somewhere about finding out the true measure of a man by the way he treats his dog?) I am very excited for you, and Finn, as you start off on the next leg of your journey. Positive thoughts and vibes being sent out.


Very cool, thank you for this post. Positivity is where it's at, I've always felt that, and, now I know it for sure. There are no guarantees, I've also learned that the hard way (a few times over!), but, I'm excited about giving this my best shot. And, yeah, there is a quote, I need to find it!

[finn's mom]

Oh, Kari, I am so happy for you!!! :D Being such good friends is a great basis for a great relationship - friends and lovers, can't be beat!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/CwmmawrJet/Bobby%20Boy/Miscellaneous/Smilies/Hugs2.gif

It's a good feeling, I can't even describe how glad I am that it's happening this way for me. It's a first, but, I love it. :)

[anna_66]

Where have I been to miss this wonderful love affair?!

I'm very happy for the both of you and wish you a truly wonderful life together:D

[finn's mom]

Where have I been to miss this wonderful love affair?!

I'm very happy for the both of you and wish you a truly wonderful life together:D


Don't worry, you didn't miss anything. I've not really said a lot about it. The actual relationship hasn't been in bloom for long at all. We've been friends for a long time, and, the thought that we wanted to be together with benefits just came to reality in March. ;) But, thank you!

[kimboe]

That is such great news of the new chapter in your life. I hope the move, and "LOVE" goes well! I'm sure that everything will go smoothy if it feels right for you. :)

[finn's mom]

just bumping this up for a buddy. ;) and, for anyone else who cares and may have missed my big news. i leave on thursday morning!

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm still praying for you Kari! I have a good feeling about this. Have a safe, wonderful trip and keep us posted on all new happenings. Can't wait to hear that you're settled and everything is going well :D

[CagneyDog]

Good Luck Kari :) I hope everything works out. Have a safe trip and update often!

[Logan]

Oh Kari, I am so happy for you. I'm just sad that I never was able to meet up with you while you were in SC!!!!

The last month is a blur with a lot of issues at home with Zipper, and I simply have not kept up at Pet Talk. I am ashamed that I didn't know what was happening with you when you have been so supportive of me.

Please keep in touch with us. I wish you the very best of luck.

Logan :)

[carole]

:D Geez Kari i cannot believe i missed this, so sorry, but what wonderful news, so romantic, i wish you all the happiness in the world for you and David,you really do deserve it, so excited for you both, yahoo.

[finn's mom]

Oh Kari, I am so happy for you. I'm just sad that I never was able to meet up with you while you were in SC!!!!

The last month is a blur with a lot of issues at home with Zipper, and I simply have not kept up at Pet Talk. I am ashamed that I didn't know what was happening with you when you have been so supportive of me.

Please keep in touch with us. I wish you the very best of luck.

Logan :)

You are so kind to say all that. :) It's all right, we'll meet. I plan to visit often, and, we really hope to move to the east coast. Chicago is a possible option for us in the future, but, we are hoping for the east coast. We'll go where the road takes us. You have been supportive of me through everything, don't be ashamed of anything! I hope things are levelling out a bit for you at home. And, no worries, I don't frequent pet talk like I used to either. I will surely keep in touch, and, thank you!

[finn's mom]

:D Geez Kari i cannot believe i missed this, so sorry, but what wonderful news, so romantic, i wish you all the happiness in the world for you and David,you really do deserve it, so excited for you both, yahoo.

It's all right, it wasn't up at the front for very long. I don't talk much on pet talk, so, I don't mind...it happens! ;) Thank you for the well wishes, you are a friend, and, next time I chat, I'll more than likely be in Texas! :)

[Rachel]

Please let us know when you arrive safely, as some of us have a tendency to worry about *the youngins*. As for making the big decisions in life, I'm afraid it really never gets any easier. For what it is worth, I think you are right to take this opportunity to develop your relationship with David. It is a big step but finding your partner for life is well worth the risk.

[pitc9]

We're thinking of introducing them on neutral ground, off leash, with muzzles, just to be on the safe side. Not completely sure, though.

Yes, that is the BEST way!!
If none of the pups normally wear muzzles, then it's best not to start when you first get them together. Having something new on their faces/mouths may make them nervous and may send the wrong signal to the other pups!
Keep in mind... good meeting behavior for dogs are to greet one another side by side. (head to butt) Not so much straight on. To a dog, that is the least threatening greeting posture.
(Learned that by reading the book "How to Talk Dog" Lots of good things in there!)
I wish you all the luck in the world!!

[RobiLee]

Wishing you all the best. Have a safe trip.

[beeniesmom]

I just saw this now! Whoohoooo! Good luck!

[finn's mom]

Please let us know when you arrive safely, as some of us have a tendency to worry about *the youngins*. As for making the big decisions in life, I'm afraid it really never gets any easier. For what it is worth, I think you are right to take this opportunity to develop your relationship with David. It is a big step but finding your partner for life is well worth the risk.

Aw, thanks, I will for sure let everyone know when I get there tomorrow night! David has internet at home, so, before bed, I will post a new thread. :) And, yeah, I'm also not getting any younger, and, David and I both want children, and, we don't want to be 40 when we have our first. ;) He's 31, and, I'll be 30 in September, so, if all goes well, we will be trying to have a child here in the next few years. Wow. Can't believe I'm even saying that! ;)

[finn's mom]

Yes, that is the BEST way!!
If none of the pups normally wear muzzles, then it's best not to start when you first get them together. Having something new on their faces/mouths may make them nervous and may send the wrong signal to the other pups!
Keep in mind... good meeting behavior for dogs are to greet one another side by side. (head to butt) Not so much straight on. To a dog, that is the least threatening greeting posture.
(Learned that by reading the book "How to Talk Dog" Lots of good things in there!)
I wish you all the luck in the world!!


Thanks! I will let you all know how the introductions go. :)

[finn's mom]

And, thank you Carmen and Robin! :) I'm excited! :)