Promotion, long hours & the first snow.

It's been too long since I've written and much has happened by now. My mom and Ruby have since come and gone, and I must say that when you live that far away from your mom, one week is not nearly enough time together.

But on a really exciting note, my job couldn't be moving in a better direction. I have recently been given an awesome promotion, and while it does require some long hours, I am truly loving every moment of it. I am not sure if I have mentioned this previously, but my boss owns four gyms in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. I myself am the general manager of one of the gyms and was recently promoted to a 'lead manager' position in order to give assistance to the managers of the other gyms. But what I am so completely thrilled about is that I have also become the personal training manager of the entire training department for all four clubs.

My goal, when I decided to obtain a degree in kinesiology, was to make sure that I was a able to make a living doing something I loved. To have a passion, and be able to reach out and share it with others puts me exactly where I want to be in life.

By the way, we had our first snow here on Friday!

Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration. - Even Esar

Ahh the training phase...

So I was taking pictures of Cinderbelle and Tank playing, when Tank runs off and comes back with one of my shoes in his mouth. He then proceeded to the 'down' position with it as if he were going to start gnawing on it like one of his toys, right in front of me nonetheless. It just made me laugh because neither he nor Cinder are "shoe" dogs really, or so I thought.

So my mom comes tomorrow which proves yet again (as if I needed more proof) that time flies. But for once I don't mind it because I'm so excited for her to be here. Although I'll be working a lot while she's here, it'll just be nice to have her and Ruby here in the same state with me for a week. ;-)

I hope everyone is staying healthy as the holidays are slowly but surely creeping up on us. I mention this because I am aware that it is on the minds of many people as gym memberships have been increasing in the last month. I personally have started increasing my running by about 20% each week in order to increase my metabolism to make up for all the yummy holiday food that lies ahead. Just some food for thought as I take off for my morning jog. Be positive and take on the day!

Everything you want in life has a price connected to it. There's a price to pay if you want to make things better, a price to pay just for leaving things as they are, a price for everything. ~ Harry Browne

Tank & Mommy Blogging

One of the nice things about my job is that, while I work 40-45 hours/week, I don't have to be in until 11am most days. This gives me the mornings to not only get my workouts in, but to spend time with my furry kids. This morning Tank and I are spening time together blogging. ;-) This is a picture of he and I in my sunroom/office. Can you believe how big he is already at 19 weeks?!

He is an incrediable puppy with an old soul. He continues to think Cinder Belle is the best big sis there ever was. ;-)

On another happy note, my mom and Ruby (her bullmastiff) are coming to visit me this month! I am so thrilled to show them my new house and new town. They will be staying for a week, so I've been getting the guest room all set up and thinking about all the fun things we can do. Although, it does seem to be cooling off pretty quickly here in Idaho, so I'm hoping to still have some of this great weather for their arrival.

Cinderbelle, Tank and I have been missing them so we can't wait for them to get here!

An ounce of blood is worth more than a pound of friendship. -Spanish Proverbs

Awaiting the Sun's Arrival

I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee waiting for the sun to come up, and I figured what better time to blog that right now. Why would I be waiting for the sun to come up? Well, starting the day off with an outdoor jog is my idea of the perfect morning, for so many reasons, but mostly because of how you feel for the rest of the day, filled with energy.

Now, if I were still living in California, I would be out jogging whether the sun had come up yet or not, but here in Idaho I wait 'til I can see what's around me. And I'm not talking about crime, although I guess it could be considered that, you know, me getting mauled by a wild animal. And while I haven't really seen anything wild out here yet, aside from a couple of ferrell cats that live behind me, I've chosen to not live on the wild side with this one, pun intended.

On another note, I am thoroughly enjoying my new job as the General Manager of my own gym. I am coming to the end of my first week on the job, and while I feel so certain that I made the right choice accepting this position, I am even more greatful to have been given this opportunity.

More later...sun's coming up now!

I find that the more willing I am to be grateful for the small things in life, the bigger stuff just seems to show up from unexpected sources, and I am constantly looking forward to each day with all the surprises that keep coming my way! -Louise L. Hay

Who I Miss

I'm sure this won't be a surprise to many of you, given that I seem to like dogs more than people, but I miss Ruby. Ruby is my mom's beautiful bullmastiff, which makes her my lit'l sis. ;-) There are so many things I miss about her, but mostly, I miss our long walks together. My mom got Ruby just weeks before Bodacious passed, she was only 16 weeks old, but boy did they love to play together. Although Ruby & Bodacious were friends for just a short while, there is something about her that keeps his spirit alive. She was a key component to my getting through his loss.

That's the weird thing about moving to a different state, while I miss my family and friends, I can still pick up the phone to call them, or even write them a quick text message or email. But not with dogs, and I guess that's why life is so much more simple for them.

Anyway, hopefully I haven't lost too many of you with my "dog-talk," but today was a rough day. I got a call from my grandparents, who live just up the street, asking me if I could come over because their 15-yr old german shepard didn't seem to be doing too well. The fact is, he hasn't been doing well for some time now, but I understand this is hard to admit when he is your own dog . So I knew that if they were calling me to say this, it must have been pretty bad, and it was. And as bad as I wanted to, and even tried to, there was nothing I could do, it was very prevelant that it was "his time." He will be missed, and his spirit will live on with us.

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. -Anatole France

Growing Pup & Career News

Tank is 13th weeks old now, and he remains to be one of the most incredible pups. Everybody seems to get a kick out of his name, but I don't believe I've shared his full registered name yet, which is way fitting; Kilroy's First Line Of Defense a.k.a. Tank. So here is the more recent photo promised, puppyhood doesn't last long and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Some great news I have to share is that my career search ended yesterday, when I accepted a position as the Gym Manager at a great gym out here. I start Monday and am very thrilled to be a part of this company. And since I have graduated, I am looking forward to being able to put all of my energy into this position. Wish me luck and I can't wait to write more about it.

Once again, I am so thankful for the way life is happening.

"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory." -Ghandi

Back Among the Living & Loving Idaho

Oh how I've missed blogging! I've been in Idaho for over two weeks now, and I finally got my internet hooked up today. I absolutely love my house, and am finally all set up. I even decided to paint a couple of accent walls which turned out really nice, and made it feel even more like home.

Cinderbelle and Tank have become best friends and I couldn't be happier with the transition from having only one dog, to having two dogs, especially since one of them is a new puppy, not to mention the fact that I relocated states just one week after getting the puppy. He is the most well-adjusted pup and I could not have asked for more.

I'll be posting some photos in the next couple of days, but I just wanted to say I am doing so great and will be writing much more very soon.

I should also mention that I have been presented with a couple of great career opportunities since my arrival, and will be making a decision by week's end. Can't wait to share the news.

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first." -Fredick Wilcox

I'm Not Counting My Chickens, but...

You'll have to excuse my cliche here, but if there is one lesson I can say I have learned in life, it is that you should never count your chickens before they hatch. But that doesn't stop me from being incredibly excited about a possible career opportunity. I came across a website of an individual and small group personal training studio where they incorporate kinesis into each training session. If you are not familiar with this type of training, here is a small exerpt on kinesis:

Kinesis^TM is a European designed resistance system. It is a set of four unique modules with a patented continuous cable loop system that controls a single weight stack, allowing freedom of movement in any direction from any position with resistance, replicating real life movement. This type of training increases athletic performance, the ability to perform activities of everyday life and reduces risk of injury.

While I didn't have the kinesis training system in my own persoanl fitness studio, my traning style is consistent with the focus behind kinesis, and I feel confident in the potential this training facility holds. The owners along with their trainers, are highly accredited individuals, holding Masters Degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology; this is not the norm for a vast majority of training facilities. I sent in my resume over the weekend, received a phone call from the owner on Monday and we have a meeting set up for next Tuesday. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to the table.

But before any of this can happen, I've got to finish packing so that I can get my toosh up to Idaho. Bye for now!

"Instead of thinking about where you are, think about where you want to be. It takes twenty years of hard work to become an overnight success." -Diana Rankin

Our New Addition

Cinderbelle and I have not left California quite yet. We'll be heading out to Idaho this Friday, but not without our newest addition to the family, Tank. He is 6 weeks old in this picture and will be 8 weeks when we pick him up. I decided I would get a brindle this time, this is the color bullmastiffs were originally bred to be. This color helped them to not be seen by poachers. If you would allow me to indulge myself for a minute, I'll give you a brief history of the bullmastiff.

Although it is said that the history of this breed is probably centuries old, the known history of the bullmastiff begins about the year 1860 in England. They were bred to help gamekeepers in protecting their game on large English estates. Poaching was an expensive problem for landowners, and it was the responsibility of the gamekeepers to catch these thieves. So, the gamekeepers needed a dog who could track quitely, cover short distances quickly, and then pin and hold the poachers without mauling them.

The bullmastiff is said to be "fearless and confident, yet docile, combining the reliability, intelligence and willingness to please. They are a dependable family companion and protector."

The bullmastiff was accepted as a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in October, 1933.

So, needless to say, I am so excited and can't wait to pick him up. He came from a litter of 8 gorgeous pups, but from the minute I walked in, I knew he was the one. It's hard to say why, but sometimes, I guess you just know it's right. And what better name is there for this guy, than Tank? Ok, so maybe I do know why I picked him, he is the biggest boy of his litter, just look at those paws!

"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." -Woodrow Wilson

Lunch with Friends & Saying Goodbye

Are you excited? Are you nervous? Are you scared?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Mostly though, I am excited and curious to find out what life holds ahead. So the last week or so has been full of good-bye's. It's interesting how my best friends are friends that I don't see very often, even though we live but a few miles apart. And even though we can go months without seeing each other, somehow, it doesn't make saying goodbye any easier.

I also had a family "going away" party this weekend which was incredibly nice. And while I'm not sure they fully understand how I came to this decision, and are sad to see me go, my family has always been and remains to be 100% supportive in any decision I have ever made. They are excited for me and some are already making plans to come and visit, and that, my friends, makes me a happy girl! Although, I'm not sure whether it's me they are wanting to see, or the view from my backyard, but I couldn't really blame them, it's incredibly peaceful. And the best part about it is that the Boise River runs through my backyard, so all year long I am blessed with the sound of water just out my back door.

"In order that she may be able to give her hand with dignity, she must be able to stand alone." -Margaret Fuller

My Little Delight

"Life begins on the other side of despair." - Jean-Paul Sarte
And so enters Cinderbelle. After the loss of Bodacious, many people would ask, "so when are you going to get another dog?" I never had an answer for them. I really had no idea. I knew the opportunity would present itself when the time was right, but how long would I have to wait until "the time felt right?"

I was browsing down my favorite aisle of Shabby Chic furniture in a department store one day, when a nice lady began to ask my opinion on a dresser she was looking at. We began talking and the subject of dogs came up, shocking, I know. She reminded me a lot of my grandma with her caring spirit, and we ended up talking for about 30 minutes. It was through this conversation that I decided I would look into volunteering at the local SPCA. The idea was that spending some time with, and helping the shelter dogs, would in turn, help in healing my emotional wounds over Bodacious.

So the day came when I got the courage up to walk into the SPCA to inquire about volunteering. It had only been a month since his passing, and one thing I knew for sure was that I wasn't ready to take on another dog yet. They were quite busy at the front desk that day, and so I decided I would take a walk down the row of kennels to pass some time. Wouldn't you know that right in front of me sat a 4 yr old female bullmastiff. I wasn't sure why she had been surrendered, but I did know that I couldn't leave any bullmastiff in a shelter. If you are familiar at all with dogs, then you know that finding a bullmastiff at a shelter is like finding a needle in a haystack, it just doesn't happen.

Knowing that emotionally, I was not at all ready for a dog, I immediately walked up to the front desk and asked if she were still available for adoption. My heart sank at their response, "no, she has been adopted and will be going home with her new family tomorrow." I can't explain why my heart sank, I mean, I should have been happy since I knew my heart wasn't ready. So I walked back to her kennel before I left and told her that I was happy that she found a good home to go to.

I left that day with my volunteer packet in hand, and a sad heart.

By the end of January I began looking into some breeders, knowing that I would soon, once again be ready to bless my own life. There was not a day that went by where Bodacious did not cross my mind, his memory becoming sweeter, his life's purpose becoming more relevent.

It was now February 5th, my 27th birthday, the first day of the rest of my life, if you will. Not becasue of this day alone, but becaue of the many blessings to follow when one makes the decision to re-open their once closed heart. It began as a good day, although nothing extraordinary to speak of was happening on this marked 27th year of living. About mid-day, I began to feel a bit of sadness that Bodacious was not here with me. I remember laying down on my bed when a thought crossed my mind, "I wonder what dog's the SPCA has available right now, although I didn't have much hope, as I knew that a bullmastiff was the only choice for me." But I needed to sign up for their once-a -month required orientation so that I could begin volunteering.

Still lying on my bed, I picked up my phone, typed in their website, and navigated my way to the "dogs available for adoption" page. I scrolled all the way to the bottom of the page when I had to clear my eyes, refresh the page, and clear my eyes again. Could it really be that the same bullmastiff I had seen there almost a month ago was back?! I dialed the SPCA and asked, "I would like to know if the 4 yr-old female bullmastiff I see on your website is availbale for adoption?" I could hear the lady searching through paperwork as I began gathering myself. I grabbed my purse, my keys and started heading for the door before she came back on the line. "Yes, she is available, she was recently returned by her adopters, but if you're interested you should come in soon becasue we have had some interested families call in today already." Already in my car and driving down the street, I replied, "I am on my way to pick my dog up, and bring her home!"

Within 3 minutes I was back at the SPCA, and so begins the rest of my life.

I appropriately named her Cinderbelle, as she is a delight and a half. She's delicate, affectionate, loyal and more of a joy than I could have ever imagined. And while there is no dog who could ever compare to, or replace Bodacious, that's ok, because he lives in my heart every single day. And it is because of him that Cinderbelle has the life that she deserves now. How someone could EVER surrender her to a shelter, I have absolutely no idea. But then again, I have no idea how anyone could surrender any dog at all.

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will
not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog
and a man.
- Mark Twain

Who I Am

I thought I'd write a bit about my background today. I already mentioned I am a 27 yr old dog loving girl who is trying everyday to figure out what I'm supposed to be. So for now, I'll just give some hard facts about myself. I have a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science from Cal State Univ, Sacramento. Given that information, it sounds like it should be pretty easy to figure out who I'm supposed to be, huh? But life is funny that way, just when you think you know exactly what you are meant to do, and you have all the means to do it, life gives you a curve ball. But this doesn't have to be a bad thing, and as a matter of fact, it's been a great thing for me.

Health, fitness and nutrition have been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and they still are, I just happened to have stumbled upon a couple new passions I feel the need to explore, and so I am.

In high school, I ran track (mostly sprinting events) and played tennis, but my true love was being captain of my cheer leading squad. We cheered at football and basketball games, but my true passion was competing. This is where I had my first experience of competing at a national level. After high school, I tried out for a co-ed open collegiate team and it was there that I had the time of my life! We were a large squad (more like family) and traveled as far as Texas to compete nationally. We threw stunts that were 3 people high, basket-tosses where girls did flips in the air and tumbling passes across the stage that seemed to go on forever. I cheered with this team for four years, but I knew I couldn't be a cheer leader forever, I needed to find something to fill my competitive itch, and so I did.

I began competing in NPC figure competitions upon retiring from cheer leading and would go on to compete for the next 5 years. Allow me to back track a bit, I haven't mentioned that at the age of 18 I got my first job as a personal trainer in a gym, and this is something I haven't stopped doing, only now, I run my business online and help clients with nutrition more than I do with working out, as I feel this is where most help is needed. My site is currently under constrution, but please come by to check it out soon, www.tanyapennington.com

But working as a personal trainer in the gym is how I met the right people to help me get started in figure competitions. It takes hard work, discipline, dedication and saying no to friends who want to go out to eat weeks before a show. But stepping on that stage on the day of the show, knowing you put everything you had into your physique, made everything oh so worth it. I placed anywhere from 4th place up to taking the title of 1st place and overall, traveled as far as New York to compete nationally, and loved every minute of it. When I talk about competing, I talk about it in the past tense, but lately I've considered stepping back on the stage to compete again, at least locally. It's been a couple of years, but I think competing in 2-3 local shows each year would not only help keep me in shape, but I would be doing it just for me this time. Yes, I did it for me last time too, but I was always doing it with the goal of trying to make it to the top, to the pro level if you will, and that can be very stressful on your mind, body and soul at the national level. It's a bit ironic really, how you can be among the top 10% physiques in the nation, but yet feel like you're never quite good enough.

So there you go, I'm taking the reigns back and I'm going to start competing again, as a hobby, for the same reason I started competing back when I was 21, because it's fun! I just made this decision right now as I sit here blogging. Thank God for blogging. I'll be more clear about what time frame I plan to do a show in soon, but for now I'm going to throw the month of November out there as guesstimate.

So there you have me in a nutshell, and I'll leave you with a quote that struck me in a good way.

"I went back to being an amatuer, in the sense of somebody who loves what she is doing. If a professional loses the love of work, routine sets in, and that's the death of work and life." -Ada Bethune

First True Love of My Life

"Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears." -Kahlil Gibran

I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to start this blog, than to talk about my first true love who changed my life forever. After all, he is the reason I began journaling in the first place. Sounds kinda boring, doesn't it? Everybody has a first true love, but I don't know many who had one quite like mine. I thought you may like to put a name to a face, so if you look to the left, you'll see one of my favorite pictures he and I took together last summer. Yep, Bodacious was my 140 lb. bullmastiff, and it is because of him that I am who I am today...no, it's is because of him that I am becoming who I am supposed to be.

Would you believe that two and a half years ago I had an extreme fear of dogs? Yeah, I was even afraid of the little ones, weird huh? Well in 2005 I decided it was time to get over that fear and started researching some different breeds. I hadn't settled on any specific breed when one day I walked into a client's house, and there sat the most beautiful, confident, calm dog I had ever come in contact with, a bullmastiff. I had never even heard of a bullmastiff before! So I researched the breed, knew that it was the perfect breed for me, and the rest is history.

He was an amazing dog who's life purpose was much greater than I ever could have imagined. Bodacious was only here on earth for two very short years. Just weeks before his 2nd birthday, he was diagnosed with severe sub-aortic stenosis and chylothorax, two diseases so rarely ever seen in one dog. One day we were going for walks and playing at the dog park, and the next day, the vet told me to take him home and make him comfortable because he would be passing anyday. Devastation, surreal, not possible, they had to be wrong, not my little boy who loved life more than I knew possible.

We went home and I spent every waking moment with him for the next month and seven days. I cooked his favorite meals for him everyday and did extensive research on herbs to help keep him comfortable. The bond that he and I created in that last month together is a bond that will be with me forever. Bodacious passed on December 17, 2007.

My life would never be the same, I care more, love more, laugh more, share more, but mostly I just plain feel so much more.

So I guess the moral of today's entry is that it's worth it, what they say, to face your fears, I did it, and got the best two years.