What's New in Iggyland

Well, I haven't written a blog post in ages.  There just really hasn't been much to say about spanking.

It doesn't look like I will be able to make a spanking trip in 2011.  I just don't have the money.  I don't think lots of people realize just how expensive it is for me to travel from here.  Sometimes I get a little cranky when I hear someone complain about what, to me, seems like a really cheap airfare to get somewhere.  Just to get to Vancouver and back from here costs me anywhere from $600 to $1000 and that's just an hour flight.  I really wish I had more money just so I could do all the things I want to.

This year I'm sacrificing a spanking trip in order to get something else I've wanted for a very long time.  Although even if I wasn't doing this I think I still wouldn't have been able to swing a trip, but maybe I could have barely got it done.

My apartment has had a pet free policy since I moved in 5 years ago.  People who already had pets were grandfathered in and of course could keep their pets.  Lately I've been noticing more and more people moving in with cats and dogs and so I decided to check out if the policy had been updated.  It has and pets are now OK with office approval.  This made me very excited.  I've wanted a companion dog for a long time.  I grew up with pets and I swear when I go home it's the pets I miss more than my parents.  Shhhh...don't tell them that.

Anyhow, for years I've wanted a particular breed of dog.  I can't have just any dog because of allergies and asthma and certain dogs I know are OK.  Plus, I'm in a small apartment so I need a small dog or it just wouldn't be fair to the animal.  So, what I want is a Havanese.  They are super pretty, hypoallergenic with a great temperament (not being prone to over-yappiness and are just sweet and loving).  My parents have had related breeds (Bichon Frise and Maltese) and so I know I get along fine with them allergy and asthma-wise and I have a fair idea of the grooming requirements.  It'll be a good fit for me.  Of course, they aren't cheap.

I'm alone a lot.  Basically I go to work, come home.  On my weekends I do my errands and housekeeping and stuff and then it's rinse and repeat.  A dog will be good for me.  It'll get me out and about keeping it exercised and socialized.  It'll be a positive thing in my life.  I'm beyond excited.  Of course I have to come up with the money for the dog, supplies, initial stuff I'll need and vet expenses.

I've plunged ahead and contacted a reputable breeder (after doing tons of research) that lives fairly close to my parents.  I've sent in my deposit and my puppy should be born sometime in February.  The breeder picks the puppy for you based on temperament.  This is a good thing because I'd never pick!  I always love the one best I am holding at the moment.  My parents are going to go and check things out and the progress of the puppies.  Then in April I'll probably drive down there to get the puppy and spend a week with my family before heading back here.  I'm not a driver.  5 minute drives are my norm.  So a 14 hour plus drive is going to be a huge thing for me, but it'll be easier bringing the dog back that way (and cheaper because of the airfare cost since I'd have to buy a last minute ticket not knowing for sure when the puppy will be able to be sent home with me as it all depends on how well the puppies do.  Driving makes it so I can be more open-ended about when I go).  I'd definitely rather not drive, but it is what it is.  Hopefully my driving nerves don't traumatize the puppy! 

So, that's what is going on with me right now.  I'm still bummed about the spanking parties I'm missing.  Every time I see people signing up on Fetlife to announce their intention to go to the Boardwalk Badness Weekend, the  SSC, the FMS Tropical Beach Party or other spanking events I do get depressed and totally wish that I could go too.  It sucks.

I am really excited about getting a dog though.  I dream about it almost every night.