Ch 1

Have you ever woke up in the morning and it felt something different but couldn’t quite put your finger on what it was? That is how today felt, but nothing seemed different.

My eyes opened to a black cold wet nose gently nudging my arm. “What is it girl? Is it time to get up?” I asked my little terrier mutt, Casey. She is like clock work always waking my up at 9 to begin the day. After about 10 minutes of just laying in bed trying to figure out what all I have to do before I head to work I finally drag my self up to take Casey for our usual morning walk. Let me tell you about Casey, my mom got her for me on my 21^st birthday. Since then she has been the most loyal thing in my life, of course not counting my family. She’s been through 3 failed and completely miserable relationships, several moves, and to this day I swear I can see her eyes light up every time I come home, I am just waiting for they day she just opens her mouth and starts talking back to me.

Anyway, we walk the 4 blocks to the beach for our morning walk/run. I just love spring mornings, the sun is bright, not a cloud in the sky, a breeze coming off the ocean and the smell of the salt in the air. Not to mention, not many people on the beach at this time of the day, just another reason I love working the evening shift. I go to school during the day working on my PhD in Psychology and work at night.

Two miles into our walk we head up to the boardwalk to get some water. I try to put Casey back on her leash when there are people around. She’s a very sweet and social dog, she doesn’t know an enemy but ya know some people don’t like dogs. She beat me to the boardwalk and is already trying to make a new friend. “Casey, come here” I yell at her while I’m running towards her and her new friend. Wow this lady Casey is befriending must be cold. Who would wear that much clothing on a beautiful day and at the beach no less? Oh well, people are strange, I know I am or at least can be, hey we all have our quirks!