🌱🎶 It’s all about trusting joy and snuggling more.

 Peanut’s Point of View: July Musings from My Midwestern Life

 Emma is kinda stressed. Like, chewing-her-lip, pacing-around-the-house, tension-headache stressed. She keeps mumbling about going back to school and not sleeping and I’m like—girl, breathe. I’ve got you. She's been thinking of moving me back into her room (I was moved out a couple of days ago). She says it’ll keep me from barking too much at night, but really, I just think she sleeps better with me there. Who wouldn’t?

Yesterday was a whirlwind. We went to the dentist’s office—not for teeth, thank goodness, but for gardening. She was yanking out weeds like a wild woman and planting this stuff she calls snow on the mountain. (Honestly? Sounds fake. But it looked nice.) She says it’s the best way to fight weeds—don’t just pull them, replace them. That’s deep, right? July’s been hot and soggy—raining every day—and the plants are just exploding like fireworks. The dentist’s office? It’s like Eden. Rich soil, full sun, full bloom. Me? I supervise. Keep an eye on her and the squirrels. Equal priority.

The humans were setting up for a concert at the park, all fences and signs and bossy energy. We might have “accidentally” wandered in. They told us to leave, but we didn’t hear them. Not our fault their  fencing had holes big enough for a clever pup like me to strut through. Later, she joked about coming back in a new outfit and pretending to only speak French. How about Spanish, Emma?

Second walk was during the concert. Lots of folks out: cyclers, loungers, music lovers, hammock people. It was like California vibes in Indianapolis—laid-back, sun-soaked, community bliss. I wagged at everyone. She smiled. We needed that.

Steve came by. She invited him up to the porch to say hi. That’s a big deal. Ever since Chewy passed, people can actually come over now without getting barked into next week. I love Chewy, but the dude had volume.

 My girl’s been through some stuff. And look, she’s happy. She’s got me. She’s gardening, walking, journaling, and snuggling her inner peace like a favorite blanket. Why mess that up?

I’ll be here. Holding it down. Holding her up.

Forever her California dog in Indiana shoes. 🌞🌻🌊

— Peanut