Chloe's First Hike!

As you should all know by now, I love hiking! So, naturally, I'm going to force my new pup to love it as well. Last weekend Cody's parents and younger brother came down for a visit, so we figured what better way to spend a Saturday than to go hiking! Plus, this gave us a chance to take Chloe on her first hiking adventure.

We started her off with a nice simple hike - The Cascades. It's simple, but oh so beautiful at the end! It's about two miles out to the falls and two miles back to the parking lot. This is easily the most popular hiking spot out here, especially in the summer when people come to hike and then swim up at the falls.

She had such a blast. The whole way up her little nose was going a million miles a minute. She got to climb on stuff (which included her first experience with stairs). She met some doggy friends along the way. And when we got to the top she just soaked up all the attention from the strangers enjoying the water. 

After the hike we stopped at this small, local, sandwich shop for lunch. We ate outside so Chloe could sit with us and have her lunch as well. She also got to play around with a couple kids that were there, which she loved.

It was a wonderful day, but I think it's safe to say we pooped her out....she slept the whole ride home.

Looking forward to all of the adventures yet to come with her! She's definitely going to make quite the hiking companion.

Doggy Lovin'

After over a year of  talking about getting a dog...the time has finally come! It was an interesting process to say the least. A couple weeks ago I stumbled upon a sweet little dog named Jinx that someone was fostering and trying to find a forever home for. Naturally, I had to have her. So, we filled out the application and waited with anticipation. About a week later, we got a phone call to let us know we were approved to adopt through this particular agency, but sadly the sweet little Jink had already been adopted. We were pretty sad, and down on our luck.

Now, if anyone knows my Mama, they know she is the poster-child for "Everything happens for a reason". In an attempt to make us feel better about missing out on that pup, she just kept telling us "everything happens for a reason, there's a reason you didn't get her." Of course we brushed it off with the "Oh, Mom..." mentality. Not really believing what she was saying.

Then, on Saturday, we headed to Roanoke to go to Sam's Club and walk around the Mall. On the days we aren't feeling particularly active we figure that's a good way to get those steps in and move around without thinking of it as exercise. Over the last couple years we've been dating, Cody and I have started a little tradition. Every time we head to Roanoke for Sam's Club or the Mall we make a pit-stop at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. We always figure it's a nice way for the kitties and doggies to get some attention and lovin' and we get to feed our animal addiction a little.

We walked into the small dog/puppy room and immediately went to his cute boy hound-mix puppy that was starving for attention. After we went back to ask for him to be taken out so we could play with him, we headed back into the room to wait. I could feel something looking at me so I decided to turn around and look at the other side of the room. Wouldn't you know there was the sweetest little girl staring right at me with those big "come pet me" eyes. By the time the volunteer got to the room we'd decided to take her out instead.

After only a couple minutes of playing with her we knew she was our dog. I always tell people that I don't think we really get to pick our pets, I think they pick us. And boy did she do that! We were able to put a 24-hour hold on her so we could have some time to think it over and talk to our landlord. Of course we decided to get her.

I mean, just look at those golden eyes! (And I think it's safe to say she thoroughly enjoyed her car ride home) The SPCA had absolutely no clue what she had in her, just that she is a total mix. After spending some time with her we can tell she definitely has a little hound or beagle in her because her nose is always sniffing. For the most part she's pretty quiet but still has a lot of puppy energy and can get a little rowdy. She's already learning quickly and I can't wait to see what other tricks we can teach her. 

I guess I should mention her name...the SPCA had her listed as Nicki, but I don't think we should have a Nichole and a Nicki under the same roof. We're thinking of re-naming her to Chloe, what do you think? Does She look like a Chloe?

She absolutely loves rolling around in the yard, and of course she did right after her bath! She love her balls and squeaky toys. And yes, even though she's a girl she does have blue everything. If you know me at all you know I've never been super keen on pink :p 

I'm sure you'll hear all about her in future posts. For now, all I can is that it turns out Mama really is always right! There was a better dog out there for us, we just hadn't met her yet. I don't know why I ever second guess that woman... 

I'm a Senior?

Well, it seems like I'm already starting to revert back to my old ways - the semester started, I got busy, and forgot to update my blog! The start of the semester is always crazy. Between classes and clubs, and searching for a job, it has been a busy couple of weeks.

Let me just start by saying HOW IS THIS POSSIBLY MY LAST YEAR AS AN UNDERGRAD?!

It feels like I was just moving into college a month ago. Has it really been almost 4 years already? I think someone is playing a trick on me, or I must be sleeping, because that just doesn't seem possible. Everyone said it would go by fast, but I never believed them until it actually happened. It's almost time to put on my big-girl pants and figure out just what I'm supposed to be doing with the rest of my life.

But, before I go there, first I have to finish this year strong! This semester I am taking Personal Health, Drug Education, Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, and completing my Field Study. My Anatomy lecture and lab are 3 hours long each, and far from fun, but at least the material is interesting. My Field Study is what I'm most excited about.

Throughout the semester I have to complete 144 hours at my site, which is Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in their Outpatient Rehabilitation wing with an Occupational Therapist. The one downside is that I am only an undergrad and have had no training, so the majority of my time is spent simply observing and shadowing OTs. It's slow at times but I have already learned so much and it's only been two weeks.

(Fun Fact: if an individual has a stroke and loses mobility on one side of their body a therapist can often gauge the level of success they will have in rehab based on the initial function they regain - if the first thing they are able to do is shrug their shoulder or slightly raise their upper arm, even if they are unable to move their wrist/fingers, the likelihood of a successful recovery is significantly higher. If their initial movement is only in the fingers or wrist, their recovery will be much more difficult and their chances of regaining full-function is lower. This is because the body operates from the top down. You use larger muscle groups to do big movements, such as shrugging your shoulder. So, of you are able to do that, you can slowly begin to fine-tune the smaller muscle groups as you move down the arm toward the fingers. Gross motor skills come before fine motor skills. Either way, recovery is a very long process and it's important for both the client and the therapist to remain patient and appreciate each milestone, no matter how small it may seem)

You probably weren't all that interested in that fun fact, but it's things that that I find so fascinating. Going into my field study I wasn't sure if Occupational Therapy was still something I would want to do. But now, I'm pretty sold on it. You get to change people's lives and help them return to their normal routine. Not to mention the versatility and flexibility the job offers.

I am also the Community Service Chair for the Occupational Therapy Club at Virginia Tech. I will be able to set up various service events for the club to participate in throughout the semester. First up, is "Getting Crafty" at the Crossings in Blacksburg. This is an assisted living facility. I'm looking forward to meeting the residents and helping them make something beautiful. Who doesn't love a little crafting?

Now, I've been putting off my Anatomy homework a little too long, so I better get back to that. I'll try to write more sooner rather than later.

Cheers so a great start to Senior year!!