Happy National Dog Day!

On Sunday evening, a friend in London messaged me on Facebook. "I've started reading your blog," he said. "I'm sorry your life is so shit."

I was horrified.  Is that the impression my blog gives?

He clarified: "All that stuff on you and Jon."

Okay, yes.  Being long-distance with my husband is not great.  But life is, on the whole, pretty wonderful.  I'm near my parents, which is an enormous help both emotionally and practically; I'm in daily contact with my incredible sister, who is starting law school this week and still finds the time to send me emojis; I have fabulous girlfriends in the area, several of whom are coming over for dinner on Friday night to help me celebrate my birthday;  and I love my job, in which I have the opportunity to learn from truly passionate and dedicated colleagues.  Believe it or not, there's even a silver lining to living apart from Jon!

Charlie, of course, also makes my life a million times better.  He rescued me soon after I moved back to DC, at a time when I felt quite lost, and reminds me every day to focus on the important things.  Charlie's lessons are essential to happy living:

Charlie and I spent a glorious few hours in Rock Creek Park on Sunday.  He's not so good off the leash if I'm standing still, but he sticks relatively close to me when I'm on the move.  If I lose sight of him, I just have to call out and a few seconds later he'll zoom past me from wherever he was exploring, his whole face contorted in an ecstasy of exultation.  There's so much to smell in Rock Creek Park, but Charlie doesn't find it overwhelming.  It's freeing!  He could go anywhere and discover something thrilling.  And the water - oh, the water!

So happy National Dog Day from Charlie and me, dear readers.  May we go through life like puppies off-leash in a park alongside our beloved best friends.