I just wanted to do a quick photo story of my 21st birthday in lockdown and what I managed to get up to. Of course, it was not the birthday I imagined as most will celebrate this year and have last year, but I am grateful for what I got. Missing friends and no big party to attend, we had to make the best of what we had.
I got the ballons I always dreamed of, when I turned 18 I had no big party or anything, so I had always wanted the 18 and 21 ballons the girls have in their Instagram pictures for their birthdays, so I was very happy to see them and many others. We enjoyed some champagne and cake, with the little 21 sparkle candles that made it so much more special. Received lots of nice gifts and cards, even all the way from the south of the UK from my best friend, who unfortunately I could not see.
Heres to 21, many more adventures, happiness, achievements and getting rid of this damn pandemic! Let’s see what this chapter holds.
I wanted to share with you my experience of taking in a stray dog and what has happened over the month of having her in my home. Maybe it might convince you to try adopting a stray too after you hear someone else’s experiences.
Mortishia is nearly 2 years old (we think) and her story is that she was found in a cornfield in the middle of now where in the countryside in Poland, probably dumped by someone, and she was walking around alone for nearly 9 months. People in the area saw her and fed her sometimes, but she was terrified of them so always kept her distance. The lady who we got her from was notified and it took her 3 months to catch her as she was so sneaky! They had many vet visits to attend as she was not in a very good state, but once finished, she was on the way to us here in the UK.
She arrived on the 17th Decemeber, which we will treat as her birthday, via a pet bus transport which took 2 days! Once she arrived we signed the relevant paperwork, payed for the transport and she was ours for keeping.
When she was first alone with us, she ran and hid behind an armchair we have in the living room, under the beds, would not sit still etc, she was terrified of us which we understood completely. We were all so upset as we wondered what could have been done to this dog that she was so afraid of people. It was also time for her first bath, as being in a crate in the pet bus for 2 days was not the best, the workers were not allowed to take her out as she has a history of running away. She didn’t struggle at all, probably due to fear, and we popped her down into her new doggy bed in my room by my bed, where is now always sleeps.
The first week she wouldn’t really move out of her bed, but gradually I would hear her play with her toys and walk around and sniff the room when the lights were off and no one was watching, but as soon as the lights are turned on she would go back to her bed. She now moves all around, but it is still clear that she is battling with herself inside her mind and does not fully trust us, i.e. she will come to the living room for a minute and then run away back on to the stairs again where she feels safe.
She is more trusting now, but still has her own issues, i.e. she won’t eat if someone is watching her. My dogs eat in the kitchen, but she has not got to that stage yet, we started at my room and now she is eating on the stairs so we are getting there!
We also noticed she is terrified of men, my dad and Dawid have a hard time being with her as she just runs away, which again leads us to think whoever hurt her must have been a man, again another thing we need to work on.
There are many things that still need to be done, for example we can’t really take her on a walk right now because she might run away, she is terrified of cables and small bangs, the hairdryer and vacuum in particular, shes not fully house trained yet and is not fond of making eye contact. These are all things that will come with time, she has still made a lot of progress in a month, more than we thought she would!
Thank you for reading this post on my experience with my first stray, honestly, if you are considering taking on a stray, you need to do some research on it, make sure you will have the time as they are kind of like babies and really be ready for anything!
Sthinking of 2020, awful year, right? I think anyone can agree, lockdown, pandemic and all. But I am sure some of you had some positives in the year, and I wanted to reflect on these with you today. Most of us gained some new skills and knowledge, found a new appreciation for the little things and worked on ourselves personally. I wanted to show you some of my best moments in 2020, hoping that maybe it can help you think of some too and not see 2020 as “that year” as everyone and the media want you to. Many of us have had losses, great ones this year, but try and see the light in the little things.
(use arrow keys to move through images)
I had the best 20th a girl could ask for surrounded by friends. I said goodbye to my love as I sent him off on his adventure for a semester abroad. I got my first full-time job. I got my first tattoo in memory of the best pupper to be. I went to Germany for the first time and had a little adventure. I had to move back home. I had time to reflect in the sun and focus on some hobbies. I got to see my family and friends in Poland. I got to do some local travelling. I helped my nan renovate my childhood home. I redecorated my room. I learnt how to use zoom and got to see my friends safely. I got through COVID. I welcomed little Sasha hammy into my life. I got festive. I welcomed a new pupper, Mortishia, into my life. I saw snow for the first time in years.
And that’s everything good that 2020 brought to me. I am thankful for all these moments and will forever be happy with them in my heart. Always try and take the good out of the bad situations, even if they end up being a whole year.
soeffortless.home.blog 