Why we don't eat yellow snow...

and other life lessons learned at the boarding kennel. THIS HAS been the intended title of my book (that has yet to be written) for several years. When Byron and I decided to go into the boarding business we knew in many ways that our lives would change forever. Gone were the days of just being able to take off whenever we pleased. Gone were the days of sleeping in until we woke up and gone were the lazy evenings swinging on the porch swing until the sun set. But we have had so many rewarding times in the business that I would say they out weigh the bad. For one we have met so many wonderful and interesting people, People whom otherwise we may have never crossed paths with. It also allowed us to be stay at home parents (well...for the most part). We were able to put the girls on the bus and be there to meet them when they got home. I don't think the girls have yet realized what a huge deal that is but hope in time~when they become parents~they will look back and see just how lucky they were to have both parents with them. Ashley and Lena have always been a part of our family business. Walking dogs, doing chores and as they got older, making reservations and dealing with the public. We are now faced with running the business without them and believe me we knew it was going to be difficult but never fully understood how much we needed them.
The girls learned many life lessons at the kennel, the first one being why we don't eat yellow snow! I mean this literally as it was always a special treat when I was growing up to eat "snow cream". My mother was amazing at making the most delicious, creamy, frozen treat from snow. As a child I couldn't wait to rush out gather the snow and bring it back in for her to begin the process. However, she would always warn us to only gather the fluffy white snow and not the yellow. Sad as it is I never carried on the tradition of making snow cream. It just never seemed to be the same once mom was gone. The girls however learned to catch snowflakes on their tongues and loved just scooping up snow and eating it. I would in the same voice as my mother, warn the girls to not eat the yellow snow. Of course they always wanted to know...Why WE DON'T EAT YELLOW SNOW> When they became old enough and were promoted to the position of "DOG WALKER" they learned the answer to their question. This lesson was learned well...for obvious reasons. Other lessons on manners, grace, and compassion came in not so obvious forms. All of which I hope to touch on in posts to come!