Saw this guy come over to the edge of a roof up in Sykesville the other day. His owner says he is part Mastiff and Pit-bull. He looks like a mad horse if you saw the life size version of him. But as I talked to him, he looked much happier. I guess he didn’t like that camera in front of my face. Being my son has a dog now I’ve really grown to love them. My good friends always had dogs and I’ve loved them very much also but it when you get a chance to dog sit that it makes it special.

This face does not say welcome. Photo by Mike Hartley

Boss, we have visitors. Photo by Mike Hartley

You should hold your ground right there. Photo by Mike Hartley

I’m not sure we have the time or desire to have a dog ourselves. We have always been cat people to date. And we really thought we might be finished with having our own pets for a while. Losing them is so painful. But we haven’t ruled out another one.

But really this post is to bark at myself like this dog did. I’ve lost that balance again. Life does that to you. Job crisis, family crisis, friend crisis. All kinds of fun. What I’m getting better at is dealing with it but there always is a penalty. For instance my sleep, eating and energy is down. I’ve felt like crap. I haven’t devoted my time to building my skills here and behind the camera as I want to do.

Just like this crappy post, off the cuff and worthless in some ways. But cathartic in others because it seems to be my way to jump back in the driver’s seat and regain control. If forces me to sit, focus, think, act and builds my positive outlook in difficult times. It helps me form that plan and get moving. Lets see what we can accomplish this weekend.

So all you dogs, keep barking at me. Motivation is good.

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.