Some Free Reads and a Story About a Dog 🐕
And some good, clean summer reading
Hi! If you’re new to the Aine Dyer Newsletter… Thank you! Welcome to the community!
Oh, I hope you are having a great summer! This weekend I’m heading up to New Hampshire to spend some time in the north, up where the trees and mountains are pretty tall.
Besides spending time with family, I will be visiting some dogs.
It’s been a few years since I’ve had a dog. My first dog was a French Bulldog. And let me tell you something about these so-called French Bulldogs: They are not French. There is nothing French about them… this came somewhat of a surprise to me because it’s like the first name in their breed is French.
So, you know, I was figuring the dog could sniff out good wine, or eat escargot for breakfast, but that was not the case. Shelly (my oldest named the dog after the shape of her ears) really just laid around and looked at you. Or sat and waited for food, and looked at you.
She did like to bark to make my husband jump like a cat, so that was kind of a fun hobby that was new, but welcomed, for me.
She was a really cute dog.
As I’m writing this post, I’m remembering that she also enjoyed the art of breaking out of the house (or jail, as I’m sure she thought of it). One afternoon, my kids and husband were out and I was cooking dinner. Now, usually while I cooked, the dog would lay on the couch. (Lying around is really the French bulldog’s main hobby). There was a knock on the door, and I see it’s my friendly local police officer who looked very, very serious. When I opened the door, this is what he said.
“Excuse me, M’am, do you have a dog?” He said keeping his Ray-Ban shades on.
“Sure, she’s right up—” I look upstairs to see an empty couch. “Wait, where is she?”
“She’s down at the police station and you have to come pick her up.”
“What?” I look out in the backyard and there’s what? An open gate. I drop my head.
“Thank you, officer,” I say, embarrassed.
When that dog got home, she was so grounded.
Shelley became my best friend. We hiked together in the morning. She listened to all of my jokes, and she comforted me when I was having a tough day. If we were watching a movie, we couldn’t start it until Shelly was on the couch with us.
An unexpected congenital issue cut Shelly’s life short. And it hurt more than I ever thought it would, to be honest. It makes me question why I would ever want to go through the pain of something so hard as to losing what I consider a family member again.
I believe dogs are great for kids, so… we will get another dog. So, it’s on!
Just an FYI on what’s happening for our paid subscribers — I have a great podcast about Homemaking and I just posted a deep dive into the 1916 shark attacks that shook New Jersey over one hundred years ago. It’s only $5 a month, and you can cancel anytime, no hard feelings. You get longer posts, and access to my podcast. If you choose to subscribe, thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Below are this month’s free-bees, so enjoy! And, wow, what’s going on with this summer? It’s screaming by way too fast. We only have three weeks before school begins… time to get to the beach!
As always, thanks for reading! XOXO Aine ❤️
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Do not be anxious in what needs to get done but give thanks to God. 🙂
From my author friend, Lorana Hoopes:
Max has loved Layla since the moment he met her, but the time has never been right to tell her. When she breaks off her engagement, will he finally get the courage to tell her how he feels or will he lose his chance forever?
Layla has been using relationships to determine her worth, but when her latest one falls apart, she decides to give up on men all together. When she realizes Max has feelings for her, will she stand by her conviction or will she give love one more try?
Click on the picture below to get these reads!
