Introduction to Beef

Beef is a geriatric dog of mixed descent – lab and chow. Fortunately, he has the best assets of each breed – loyal, bright, smart and loving. He’s not now, nor has never been, what is considered a “normal” dog. Beef doesn’t play (an activity he gave up shortly after we adopted his brother), I’m not sure if he’s ever licked me (he’s a sniffer) and he prefers to be hugged rather than petted. He has a sensitive stomach with unattractive after effects which is much easier to manage now that the kids are out of the house and Doritos and popcorn are no longer a feast to discover spilled on the floor. Otherwise, his smell could peel the paint off the ceiling. I love this dog so much despite, maybe because of, his quirks, we are perfect for each other. I used to say he was a fat man in a dog suit but he recently started dieting and that description no longer applies. He used to outweigh me but now he’s smaller and I’m bigger so who knows.
Because Beef is ancient and was at one time very overweight, he developed arthritis (diagnosed while we live on Scandia – maybe 7/8 years ago). He has extreme mobility issues but he still loves life and is a happy boy. We may need a wheelchair ramp soon because he falls up the stairs and freaks out. Recently we’ve put his bowls up on a bench because he was having trouble reaching down. It works.
Beef will be a regular on these pages because he is the center of my universe. Here’s one detail before I go. Beef does not meet me at the door with unbridled enthusiasm as most dogs. Even if he’s awake, it’s hard to get up. But once he does, Beef likes to perform a full body hug, shoving his shoulder against my leg and pushing hard. And he’ll stay there until he decides otherwise. Back in his youth he would be at the door after dates and often pin some unsuspecting guy against the wall with his head in their crotch. The look on their faces was ... as you might expect. Maybe that’s how he tested them. If so, then he’s no judge of character because he absolutely adored a couple of my worst boyfriends.
Beef - MTF

WHY?

Despite a very public life, I intend this blog for my close friends and family only. To remain as anonymous as possible, I will refer to people, places, and businesses by code only. This way I can merge my need for privacy with the obligation to be forthright. I think the emerging story is of interest and want to be as honest as possible without risking the success of the effort.
I’ve been allowed to cram more into my life than is usually allowed and the next couple of years will put all that to shame in hyper mode. From an unhealthy childhood, overachieving teen years, to college dropout and single parenthood to international travel and my current law firm status, life thus far has been quite the challenge. The next step is revolutionary, risky and in many ways I’m scared shitless. But to have risked so much in the past to get this far, it would be a tragedy to not follow the journey through to the end and to put a human touch to the travels. There will be times I succeed and times I fall flat on my ass. But there will be times and together we will go down the road.