For the first few days, Charlie was a bit perplexed by the whole thing; he was never aggressive or afraid, just perplexed. Though immediately curious and eager to sniff and lick her, he got nervous when she advanced toward him and he would scooch away. But within two days, he was letting her climb all over him and chew on his tail and now they tussle and romp and play and then curl up to nap. Charlie’s incredibly gentle with her and unusually patient. He comes in from outside to check on her if he hears her whimpering and brings her food – in fact, he will not eat until after she has eaten.

Eli is unfazed by having a puppy in the house - I think he’s relieved Charlie has a playmate and he can reign from his various perches in peace. From the beginning, Eli allowed Chloe to crawl over him and even lay on him, but if she gets too playful, he swats her across the face with no remorse whatsoever and she gives him the puppy eyes but they have no effect.

The one very funny quirk is that Charlie is having a difficult time sharing his toys. If Chloe starts playing with a stuffed animal, Charlie creeps in beside her, slowly and a little insecure, with a look that says, “um…. I don’t want to bother you, I know you’re new here and all, but, um, that’s my toy… um, here, let me just……” and he very gently takes a corner of the toy and slowly slides it away from Chloe and takes it to the other side of the room. Chloe doesn’t care, she’s moved on to a bone by the time Charlie turns around again, and the same look comes over Charlie’s face, “Wait, no… um, Chloe… um, that’s actually mine, too……” Eventually he gives up and gives in to her, and I’ll catch them lying on the floor side by side, chewing on opposite ends of a toy or antler.

I could get deep and metaphysical here and tell you that I am looking to Chloe’s eye problems to see if it represents something I need to stare down in my own life, if perhaps I have been blind to something growing, something fogging my reality, if perhaps there is something else I need to focus on, and in turn, gain clarity…
Or, I could just use a lot of puns.

Seriously, I’m making a change in the way my life has been since December, oh fateful month when so many of you discovered this little site of mine. I love the emails so many of you send me - I love the stories and the laughs they provoke as I sit at my desk, and, most of all, the connection. I have tried, tried to write back to every email I get even though it is an impossible task, because I know each email is attached to a person. And I want so badly to acknowledge that person.

But it has gotten to the point where I’ve been losing too much of myself, too much of my life that I love (and that you love to see and be part of through my photographs). I’m writing all this in hopes that I will stop feeling guilty for not responding to your emails. I’m going cold turkey on emails right now, at least for the time being. Please feel free to keep sending them, and PLEASE know how much I love what you all have to say. I really mean it when I say, it’s not you, it’s me.

Also, I am touched beyond words that people want to send gifts to me and the farmily. I’m honored and grateful mostly just overcome with a feeling of “WOW, really?” Your generosity is amazing. But I have an unconventional request for those who want to send presents. Instead of sending them to me, it would make me so happy if you would, instead, pick out a random person on the street and with the same generosity and intention, present that gift to them. Then email me and tell me about it!

Hope you all understand. This was hard to write and a difficult realization to come to, but I will see you in a month or two when I launch the virtual tour! Thanks, xo S.