#4 reason I’ll always love Oakland.

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rsz_screen_shot_2014-11-22_at_60100_am(1)I’m moving in EIGHT days (!).  As a result I wanted to spent time sharing the 5 Reasons I Love Oakland, California. 

These are quintessential Old School Blogging posts.  Filled with minutia of my life.  Crammed with thoughts which only matter to me.

I almost closed comments as all I really ask is you spend time—no matter how short—sharing & carrying these feelings alongside me.

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 thank you OAKLAND for not evicting us from your pet store.

 

#4 reason I love Oakland, California is because we added to our family here.

When we moved, to my tremendous dismay, the Child had no love for the canines.

It was perplexing as she’d never had a bad experience with a dog.

It was confusing as she’d had two four legged companions when she was smaller and completely adored them (pour some kibble out for our fallen homies).

Yet each time we’d suggest getting a dog she’d loudly and emphatically say NO.

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Back-in-the-day BFFs.

I was sad.

I grew obsessed with the idea that as an only child she’d love to have a furry companion.

I repeatedly introduced her to docile neighborhood canines in hopes she’d see how much fun a fur-brother could be.

In short, my inner CrAzY CaNiNe LaDy emerged.

Flash forward a few months and the husband decided to do the California humane thing and rescue a companion for us all.

I was cautiously optimistic she’d realize she loved having a permanent, not 40+ playmate and the husband loved the idea of a watchdog.

And Coop came home.
boxer dog

we loved that face.

And another OAKtown life-lesson was born.

We learned it’s not always possible to teach an old dog new, non-aggressive tricks.

We learned sometimes if you love something you need to rehome it set it free *anyway.*

It was scary.

It was hard.

It was like all other lessons these past 18 months: 

It simply meant something else was out there waiting for us.

A something which has changed the Child’s life entirely.

A something which has grown our family from three to four.

A doodle.
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Am I a DOODLE or am I a MUPPET?

  • He’s taught her about unconditional love.

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he also won a CUTEST PUPPY competition–but I don’t wanna brag.

He’s turned our three into four and filled a huge hole even I the Child didn’t realize we had.

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I’ll forever love Oakland for the reason we added to our family here.

We teaching us lessons we didn’t want to learn about how love sometimes is not enough.

And for offering us a chance to find love again.

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Comments

    • We rescued a dog and also had to give back for aggression.
      Was the Tornado scared to get another dog?
      I think my boys might be too afraid now.

      • Rescue dogs are the best!!!
        They just need to be a good fit and you need to really examine where they came from.
        Would you rescue a companion for Charming??

  5. I’d wondered what happened to your boxer dog!
    This is really sweet.
    Kudos to you and the Tornado for finding love again.

  6. I think it’s both so important for kids to have a pet, but especially a dog. I remember both my childhood dogs and how much they meant to me. 🙂

  10. Awww…

    We got a cat last year after being cat free for about 3 years. It’s amazing how much empty space (that you didn’t realize you had) a furry companion fills.

  13. Hi Carla,
    fellow Genesis user, 😉

    Lovely tales, Oakland clearly had a huge impact on your family!

    It’s also a refreshing change on the “can’t wait to get out of here” stories one often hears upon moving away from somewhere.

    I have a much smaller Oakland story, yet I’ll never forget it – I had a flamenco guitar lesson with the incredible Jason McGuire in Fruitvale, just outside of Oakland. My wife treated me to a very long lesson for my birthday. Jason is, IMO, probably the best flamenco guitarist in the US. He was charming, extremely willing to share his knowledge, and his playing was jaw-droppingly incredible.

    All the best,
    Dave (Tabby)

  14. The first thing on my list when we bought a house and ended our apartment dwelling years was to get a cat (or two actually). I really missed having a feline around.

    We did have a couple of dogs growing up, and my sister had a beautiful dog that we all adored. We were more of a cat family though, and I am a definite crazy cat lady. I honestly don’t think I would have married him if he didn’t like cats (pretty sure the courtship would not have lasted past that revelation).

    So glad you guys found the right furry friend for your family!

  16. Love it. You were in Oakland just a short time but you managed to create so many amazing memories that will be with you and Tornado for life!

  17. As they say back in Texas, if you done it, it ain’t braggin’. He deserved the prize, and i’m glad he’s part of your family now.

  18. Aww this is so cute 🙂 such great memories! I never thought I’d be a dog person, until I thought a puppy my husband showed me was cute and we got one. Now I can’t imagine not having some fur babies.

  22. What a sweet pup! Moving is not easy. We’ve moved 5 times in our married life and it always turns out wonderful in the end. There is that anxiety, excitement, anticipation, but I hope it’s everything you want. And I am a Texan so I am happy for you even though California is wonderful.

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