Bank Holidays and dog days

Bank holidays, or in fact holidays of any kind have become a bit of a rarity since working for myself again in 2010. I definitely tend to work many more hours than I did when doing a nine to five job and usually end up working most weekends too. However it’s a love for what I do, that keeps me doing it and I’m very happy to be busy creating, drawing and designing without a boss, office or deadlines, other than those I place upon myself.

Today I decided to have a rare day off and intend to spend it visiting a friend who is doing her first craft fair and hopefully (if the sun stays out) take my dog Boo to the beach for the first time in her life.

Boo is now six months and is full of life and smile making abilities. Two friends came to visit her last weekend and you can see from this ‘Spot the difference’ Giraffe toy that it’s been well (ahem) loved.

She’s equally happy munching away on sticks. I decided that another toy she came with had met it’s bitter end, so spent an hour this morning making a new one… just because I fancied creating something with my hands and not on the computer for a change.

Boo keeps us busy with two walks a day, although being a lurcher, she doesn’t need too much more than a 20 min walk and a good run around with another like minded dog. Chasing one another with sticks or just running huge circles around us whilst I chat to some random person I’ve never met or may never even meet again ! It’s fun.

And when the evening comes and she’s had her walks, food and fun then she’ll usually find a quiet corner to curl up in.

It’s funny but getting a dog has reminded me of many important lessons. Namely that life often races past us at a pace that we can hardly even comprehend let alone appreciate and it’s important to sometimes stop in order to allow ourselves a chance to breathe it all in.

Holidays are good for that, enjoy yours, I certainly will  : )