Catch Up with Me and My New Best Friend

Hi there sunshines!! I thought it would be a great idea to catch up and reflect on this past year! I know that we’re already into 2024, but it’s better late than never!:)

Life has been a whirlwind since the beginning of 2023. I finished my last year of softball, decided to stop school, got a puppy, moved and am trying to figure out what I want to do! I can’t wait to fill you in on everything:) 

The first five months of 2023 were very repetitive. I finished up my last season of softball… ever (woohoo!!!!). Going all over the country was fun; however, it has been so incredibly nice to finally be able to stay home and focus on myself since the season ended.

Starting off in January, we got our BIG Ten Championship Rings. This was such a special moment because it brought alums from all different years together! We celebrated our past year as a team, but also celebrated the program and how special Northwestern Softball truly is.

From the beginning of February to the end of May, I was traveling almost every weekend for softball besides having a few home games. I got to go to California, Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New Jersey, and Alabama. Some of those spots weren’t exactly at the top of my travel wishlist, but I am so fortunate I was able to experience those places with my best friends and of course be able to try so many cute coffee shops. 

Shortly after season, four days to be exact, I went and picked up, what is now, my best friend. Bowser, a miniature bernedoodle. Since fall of 2022 I had been looking at dogs and almost decided to get one in September of 2022, but realized that it would be best to wait until I finished softball. Throughout the entire season and last part of school I was constantly on petfinder, looking at breeders, and shelters to find the perfect puppy. Unfortunately, I am allergic to dogs so my options were limited. When looking for the breed I wanted, I was between several different doodles, but my dream of having a bernese mountain dog made me gladly decide on getting a miniature bernedoodle. Finally, after finding a breeder I trusted, it was a waiting game for the litter to be born. April 6 came around and Bowser and his littermates were born. Picking Bowser out was so incredibly easy- I wanted a male and he was the only male in the litter. From April 6 to the end of season was probably the longest two months of my life. 

June 1st. The day I held the sweetest thing in my arms. It’s funny because you always see videos of what people expect their puppy to be like and then what they are actually like, and boy, those are spot on. Bowser slept the entire way home in my friend’s arms like a perfect little angel. I was so excited that I got this calm, sweet little puppy. I was SO wrong. This dog was bouncing off the walls, biting us like crazy, and being a demon. I thought I was prepared for having a puppy, and although I will never regret getting him, it was so much more work than I thought. It still is; however, the first few months of having him was absolutely crazy. So many tears, but also so many smiles, laughs and fun moments with my new family member. 

While traveling to all those different states, I was also still in school working towards my masters to become a teacher. I absolutely loved the program I was in, but started to realize, maybe teaching wasn’t for me. I started really thinking about this towards the end of my softball season. This time was a rollercoaster of emotions and just figuring my crap out, and just a little sneak peek into 2024, I still haven’t figured it out. In August, I officially decided to withdrawal from the program and start looking for a job. Update: I still have yet to find a job. While looking for a job, I have been giving pitching lessons and doing camps. This has allowed me to bring in enough money as well as have so much free time to do things that I wasn’t able to do when in school and playing softball. Honestly, these past few months have been one big Bowser bonanza during my free time, and I’m loving every minute of it! It also has included spending time with the closest people in my life, working out, reflecting on the past, and attempting to learn new hobbies! 

For Bowser, his first 8 months of his life consisted of being taken everywhere, endless pets, cuddles, and kisses, making so many friends, pup cups, and learning so much! Bowser might be the happiest puppy I have ever met but he also might be the laziest at times. On walks, he is wanting to meet every dog and every human he finds. His favorite place is the softball field where he can run free after balls, frisbees and sticks. Once that guy grabs hold of a stick, consider the leash forgotten. Picture this: Yours truly, spending a good chunk of time attempting to outsmart him, trying all the tricks in the book to lure him back my way. Spoiler alert – he’s way too clever for my bag of tricks! I did figure out if I just leave the field he’ll give up and sprint to the gate. Bowser goes absolutely bonkers on car rides. If it’s an eleven hour car ride he will enjoy all eleven hours of it by looking out the window, trying to get on my lap, and use his sweet puppy eyes to get me to take him to Starbucks. His favorite hobby was to cheer on the Cats in the fall! He got his own jersey that he repped at every tailgate. I’ve got this grand notion that he was a die-hard Northwestern supporter at the tailgate, but we both know he was an undercover foodie spending most of his time under the table finding his favorite treasure. Bowser has already created such a large impact on my life and I could not be more grateful that I have him as my best friend:)

Not only did so many things happen in 2023, but I learned and have so much that I want to do in the year to come. One thing that is a big focus of mine is to do what I want to do for myself. By this I mean, not letting people hold me back because I am nervous about what they are going to say. I have always wanted to create videos and blogs but I’ve been more focused about what people might think rather than letting myself enjoy doing something that I love. Not only am I finally doing it, but I get to include my best friend too!

If you’ve made it this far, I want to thank you for reading and being part of this journey! If you want to follow along on me and Bowser’s journey in 2024 make sure you subscribe to get notified for upcoming posts!

With a woof and a smile,

Bowser & Danielle:)