Friendship – Page 3 – Sonja Danielson

#sundayfunday

It’s Sunday. That means it’s a day for fun!

It doesn’t matter what your preference is for your free time (hiking, sitting by a river, soaking in a tub, reading, writing). Just remember to protect others by following social distancing and wearing a mask.

It isn’t just for your health, but for those who are around you.

I plan to spend the day writing and reading. Those are my preferences. I am scheduled for a bit of surgery on Tuesday, so I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row before I lose function in my wrist (that’s where the surgery will be).

I’ll be in a cast, so using the laptop will be difficult. I plan to try, though. I don’t think I can go weeks without writing. It makes me happy.

What makes you happy? Let me know. Sonja

Lucy the Wonder Dog

Much of the focus of the Guinness the Therapy Dog series is on–Guinness the Therapy Dog. As it should be. But did you know that he has a companion/older sister?

She is Lucy the Wonder Dog. She is very shy and is happy to leave the spotlight to Guinness.

Lucy lives with us, too. She was, I think, significantly abused when she was a puppy and bears the emotional scars to this day. Lucy has lived with us for seven years, but cannot move past her suspicion of everyone and everything. She is on anti-anxiety medication (CBD tincture), which does a tolerable job but doesn’t completely eliminate her fears.

She is also a genetic mess. She suffers from permanent dislocations of both back kneecaps, her front legs are shorter than her back legs, and one of her front legs is shorter than the other causing a limp. She also has an impressive underbite. Even bulldogs are, like, “DUDE!”

But Lucy is a sweet girl and asks for attention-but, only from me. She doesn’t like men, hats, or loud noises.

Guinness loves her and they rely on each other for support. When I take Guinness for a walk (not her, she can’t go on walks longer than 50 yards because of pain), she waits by the door and talks to him when he returns. It’s a sweet relationship.

Lucy didn’t make me write this! Sonja

Weekly Quote

(c) 2020
Photo by Alessandro Bianchi on Unsplash

I completely subscribe to this idea. I think you need to push yourself to a level where failure is a huge possibility to really succeed.

Edison succeeded after a lot of failure.

So can you. So can I.

When I was on a ski team, my coach told me that if I didn’t fall sometimes, I was being too careful. I’ve had some spectacular falls! I’ve also found amazing success after those falls.

Don’t be afraid of the bruises! Sonja

Do You Follow Guinness the Therapy Dog?

Did you know that Guinness the Therapy Dog has his own page on Instagram?

You can find him at @real_guinness_the_therapy_dog

Every day, I post a new photo of him doing his everyday dog things. Lucy the Wonder Dog also makes an occasional appearance.

Guinness the Therapy Dog loves to have his photo taken, and loves to send his photo to you. I hope you will follow him!

I also announce promotions on his books (and my other books) on his page, my author page (@author_sonja_danielson) and on this site. All the links for my books, paperback and ebook, can be found in the left margin of this website.

I hope you enjoy all of the books about the adventures of Guinness the Therapy Dog.

Leave a review on Amazon.com and Good Reads! Sonja

Find the Light

Now that the states and countries are starting to open up–to varying degrees– it’s time to look back and assess.

I hope you took the time to care for yourself, deal with your anxieties, and accomplish some goals. It’s okay if you didn’t, too.

Do you see where I’m going? However you dealt with the stay-at-home orders, you did what was best for you. Don’t let anyone judge you differently. They don’t matter. The only judge you need to listen to is yourself.

I’m constantly battling a need to please others. It’s difficult to change. I figure it’s like any habit that’s been ingrained for decades–it will take a lot of time and effort to change it. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you recover and continue to move forward.

Take the time for yourself. Sonja

Transformation Tuesday

Since Guinness the Therapy Dog was adopted into our family close to his second birthday, we didn’t know him as a puppy. So, this transformation shows him throughout the past two years with us.

The only changes he’s gone through growth-wise while with us is that his neck and head have widened (which is normal for the breed). That meant a new collar.

He wasn’t a good leash walker and would lunge and pull with all of his 95 pounds. After a few weeks of training, he was able to walk nicely and made our neighborhood walks very fun. Before, it was a trial (and a workout!).

I probably wrote about this during a post about how Guinness became a therapy dog. I’m so proud of him!

I’m so thankful that he is in our family. Sonja

This Week’s Question

Getting to Know You!

Make a cup of tea and sit down at my table. I want to know you.

It is ‘get to know your customers’ day-and I want to hear all about you. What are your dreams? What are your fears? What risks have you taken? Why were you able to take that risk? Why didn’t you take that risk?

Risk is necessary for any success. That’s something I learned from a coach at a young age. “If you don’t fall, you’re not trying hard enough.” That’s my motto. Also here’s something my sister-in-law said: “You have to throw a lot of noodles on the wall to get one to stick.” I think I’ve posted that on here before. But it’s a motto to live by. Both of them, actually. I spend my time throwing noodles and falling-hoping to see something stick. That will be my measure of success.

What is your measure of success? Is there a saying that drives you?

Tell me about yourself. Sonja

It’s Galentine’s Day!!!

Just what is Galentine’s Day?

It’s a day started by comedian Amy Poehler to celebrate female friendships.

It always falls on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.

In the UK, it was noted that it’s “an increasingly popular holiday” even though it is only a few years old.

Therefore, in celebration of Galentine’s Day, I celebrate my friendship with my best friend (who lives too far away). Karyn has been my friend for 27 years.

We met when her husband asked for my help carrying a very heavy sofa into their new apartment.

It was a fun way to meet some very good people.

I hope you have the equivalent!

Don’t forget to buy a card or small gift for your valentine–this is your one-day warning! Valentine’s Day is tomorrow!!! Sonja

Do you like thrillers?

This is a book for those over 18 years of age, written by an author from Florida.

This is the synopsis, courtesy of Google Books:

Five Catholic priests have been murdered all around Tampa Bay. Law enforcement forms a task force, but is unable to find this killer, whose weapon of choice leaves clues but no answers. Father Angel, head of the Vatican’s special security projects, hires Reed O’Hara to hunt down this killer. Reed is a Tampa attorney and private investigator. She is a relentless pursuer of justice in the courtroom or on the streets. Reed and her husband Jake Dupree agree to track down the priest killer, even though they are fighting a takeover of their nightclub by Russian mobster Victor Petrov.

The author has been supportive of my books and I encourage you to take a look at his book. It is published by St. Petersburg Press.

Have a happy Tuesday! Sonja