Gone Doggy Gone

It was just a routine evening walk. We were finishing up and the rain was getting heavier. The small amount of day light that was left was steadily fading. I thought that the walk was over. I was tying up the poop bag and before I knew it, both leashes were yanked away from me. I only saw the shadows but I knew that there were deer and that they were running. The dogs were gone. I screamed in shock and began to run. Everything is darker in the woods. I had to focus to find the direction that they had gone. I found Simba first because his leash was snagged and he would never risk hurting himself. He just stared at me and wanted to find his brother. Huskies are insanely fast and pigheaded. I didn't know how I was going to find him so I had to let Simba help me. We ran together. I screamed for Buddha while he sniffed. We went deeper and deeper into the woods. My biggest fear was that Buddha would run into the road. As I reached the outskirt of the road I saw two deer looking back at me. They were heading towards the road and I flipped out. I thought that all was lost at that point. But Simba and I continued to run and the dirt quickly became mud. I fell. Hard.  I don't know how I didn't gouge my eye out with a stick. We kept moving because if anything ever happened to Buddha I would never be able to forgive myself. How long had passed? I do not know. All I know is that the darkness had come. I was running on adrenaline and sheer panic. This might sound insane to some people but these dogs are my family and with all that has happened in the last few weeks, I can't and I won't give up on my family. You fight for the ones that you love and you will find them no matter what the consequences. After falling a second time, I kept screaming and was soaked to the bone. Finally, something cleared up for a moment. I saw a bushy white tail and I used my kindest voice to convince him to come to me. It was indeed my Buddha bear. He came running to me as if nothing had happened at all. 

The rest is history but below you will see what happened to his leash. He must have gotten stuck somewhere and because he wanted to get away so badly, he destroyed the leash. Simba's leash is still intact but I will never use a retractable again. 

I'm just lucky that nothing happened to my baby. 

Scorched Earth

Divorce ravages everything. All the joy and beauty that existed between two people when they decided to embark on forever is smashed to bits and pieces in divorce proceedings. Remember that beautiful furniture you picked with such zest with your significant other? If you both loved it so much then there is a great chance that you will be fighting tooth and nail to get it if you are going through the divorce. And for what? Memories perhaps, revenge partially?

Today a client sat before me with deep misery in his eyes. He has to file for bankruptcy after maxing out all his credit cards and losing all assets due to his recent divorce. There are also the monthly maintenance fees that must be made under the divorce decree. Don't stop making those payments because the courts will get you GOOD. There is nothing left in his paycheck after it has been purged by court mandated garnishments. Many people get divorced and for some it is truly necessary. I have rarely seen a divorced person who does not get out with battle scars. People fight over the pettiest things but then there are real issues as to who gets the house, the car, the kids, THE DOGS! Yes, DOGS! Dogs are property and can be awarded to one person over the other. Clearly, there are details involved in who gets what and what is a marital asset versus personal but I would be devastated if my dogs were taken from me and on the other hand, separating them would be horrible for their mental health. Yes, dogs get depressed and have anxiety problems too.

This is not legal advice but if you are going through a divorce you should really consider getting an attorney ESPECIALLY if the other side has one. I have seen too many people sign documents that they did not fully understand only to be committed to that piece of paper for many years to come.