What a milestone time we’re in with our little Wizard! He’s a full-blown teenager now—almost clocking in at 9 months young and being more comedic and perfect than we ever imagined. There are a few idiosyncrasies that are new and I wanted to share them with you. Other than our dawn walks together, Wizard has become my yoga sidekick and all things zen-like after morning play with Greg. I’ll explain.

So, we launch out for our dawn walks a tad earlier since the skies are opening up and lightening up earlier. Granted, once the time change happens for springing forward I’ll adjust my take-off times accordingly. But, once we set feet and paws out the door, there is no stopping where we go and how far we go. That’s not the best part though.

The minute we return from a walk/trot (remember I mentioned in February’s blog about how we break into a faster pace?) Wizard wants to play with Greg for a solid 20 minutes or so. They run through the house like crazy, grabbing toys, chasing each other, throwing balls, you name it and they do it. This leads me to the title of March’s blog here: Happy Growls and Joyful Foot Stomps.

Greg runs through the house barefoot, sliding and stomping on the wood floors, which ultimately excites Wizard into more raucous play. Pup responds with the coolest growls and grumbles and squeaks that get Greg even more stompy. It’s a back-and-forth like I’ve never experienced before with any dog, not even Scout. Greg and Wizards’ connection is so incredibly beautiful, it’s as if they are from a different planet and only understand each other’s language.

This alone makes me beyond happy. I take my time, stripping off my layers of clothes from the morning walk/trot due to sweat, hang the coat, put away my running shoes, and get Wizards’ harness and leash all hung up (after I managed to wrangle away from his body as he’s jonesing to play with Greg), and wash the leftover dishes in the sink. I get my yoga mat ready, the music to accompany my practice ready, my chosen crystal of the day, and set the mood for 30 minutes of peace and tranquility and connection with Wizard.

You’d think that it would be impossible to slow him down once he runs into the house and the happy growls and joyous foot stomping begins, but he does, miraculously. All of this routine and become part of our early day-to-day ritual. I love it. Greg loves it. Wizard loves it more than anything, and we are sealed closer together as a pack family.

I often wonder what our neighbors think. Houses that are situated in the Cuesta Inlet are a little closer in distance, so it’s easy to hear what goes on if windows are open. We leave all windows open, that’s my psychosis talking. I have this thing whereby I want to always feel the air, the freedom of nature, and to feel as though every inch of our home space is clean and cleared by Mother Nature herself. Greg just laughs and obliges, what a great man he is.

Between their howling together, their happy growls, and joyful foot stomps throughout the house, I’d venture to say that March is off to a rousing start. But I have to pay homage to something bittersweet and reminders that are throughout this house and the energy we share. Scout passed away last March. Tough to think about my beloved Divine partner who hasn’t been with me since 2023, spreading his amazing love to all who have met and known him.

I pay tribute to his shrine in our Scout Sanctuary/Oz room every day. His ashes, the signature crystals that adorn his altar, the feathers he’s found with me on the beach and trails, any heart rocks that have crossed our path over the years, shells, letters, and sentiments from others whose hearts he touched, it’s such a comprehensive and colorful altar that encapsulates Scout to a tee. And one more thing.

He lives on in Wizard. I see signs and behaviors that our little Border Terrier possesses and it delights me to no end. Wizard is no Scout though, and I don’t want him to be. But having Scout watch over our daily actions and be present with us during yoga connection time is both loving and spiritually Divine. I thank my beloved Scout after every practice, along with gratitude to God, my Guardian Angels, and the Divine Ascended Masters. I feel each universal presence with me every morning. I know Wizard does, too.

March is here. Our travels this month only include a road trip down to Hollywood to share birthday wishes for Greg’s mom and brother—Wizard along for the ride, of course. We’ll see how he does at a fancy schmancy restaurant this go-round. We haven’t taken him anywhere other than a coffee shop, the outdoor cafe at the local golf course, and an outdoor local simple eatery, so it’ll be a new milestone for him and us.

We wish you the very best Spring season—the transitional time of freshness, beginnings, longer days, hopefully, warmer temperatures, nurturing my garden and deciding what to plant and where to plant, and being all things to Wizard and Greg. Every sentient and good human deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

Thank you for spending this moment perusing my site and reading my updates. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you support 8 Paws Wellness and my ongoing efforts to keep it real, keep the dog's energy pawsitive, and keep every(body) healthy through yoga and harmonious living.

We love you,

Gerry Ellen and Wizard xoxo