Just back from my morning walk with Ayla. Ran into someone with a pretty cute Spaniel of some sort (something hunting dog-ish) and her dog was quite the spazz. He wanted to eat Ayla so I had to hold her back a bit…she thinks a dog baring his teeth is some sort of wild & crazy game. Yes, she is an airhead.

Another one of our neighbors was Nordic walking up the path behind us and when she got to me, she paused and asked if the dog isn’t too heavy for me to be holding back. Guess I hadn’t thought much about it…but for those who are overly cautious about anything and everything while pregnant, I’m sure both Mackenzie and I could die from the daily walking experience.

Yes, I’ve fallen once already while out walking with Ayla. Yes it was mostly her fault. But I could have been better prepared as well. We saw a neighbor’s dog who is about 9 months old and a huge ball of energy (Golden Retriever named Armani), and I got caught in their paths and went down. I was about 4 months pregnant at the time but fell on my right knee (which turned the most majestic shade of purple afterward) and life went on. I saw my doctor about 1.5 weeks later and all was fine with the baby. The doctor noticed the huge bruise on my knee and asked what happened…the only thing he mentioned was toxoplasmosis, his favorite topic when I mention our pets (which I find really amusing since it is much more commonly contracted from cats but he only says it when I talk about the dog – no he’s not a quack.)

So as I finished the walk, I kept thinking about her comment and the one thing that stuck with me was, “Well, I guess if there was another option, I’d let someone else walk her. But I’m the only one home in the morning and I’ve very rarely fallen or been run over by her…so I’m just going to have to take my chances.” I seriously wouldn’t pay someone to come walk Ayla right now…there usually is no issue with her. And as if most people are insane enough to want to take out Ayla every day. I read all the time that pregnant women need to exercise, walking is great, etc…and then I get someone trying to tell me that I can’t take out my dog because she is a nut. Yes, I know this. She could be (and probably should be) better trained. Obviously Mackenzie won’t be able to walk her anytime in the near future until the pulling is curbed…but I know this about my dog anyway. And we are getting a harness for her which should help. Just had to exchange the one I ordered because it was too big – yes, all those Newf people out there are going, “Huh? How did that happen?” But I guess that’s what happen when you have a “small” Newf.

I’m not trying to pick the dog up ( I can hardly accomplish that when I’m not pregnant!) I’m not going running with her. I’m not hiking mountains (although she would love that.) I’m just taking the dog for a stroll. Usually at 7am we don’t see anyone at all out walking…but I guess this was a special morning. Already two strikes on the wall for it…

I guess now that I’m showing quite a bit, the advice section of the pregnancy is going to kick in…when everyone wants to tell me how to do things better. But you know what? That woman can just take her little walking sticks and march right out of my “bubble of peace.” That’s right, more Hypnobabies talk. I won’t let that kind of negativity hang around here. Mackenzie is going to be healthy and perfect, and you guys are going to see me back on here in no time talking about how it was the greatest experience ever to give birth. Yes, hypnosis is your friend! 😉