100,000 Views — A Milestone I Never Expected

 

100,000 Views — A Milestone I Never Expected

Today I hit 100,000 views on this blog, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. When I started writing about my walks, my days, and the small adventures with Dixie, I never imagined anyone would click in, let alone follow along long enough to turn this into something real. Yet here we are — a hundred thousand times someone opened a piece of my life and shared a moment with me. That’s something I won’t forget.

This blog has become more than a journal. It’s turned into a kind of mental health routine, a way to steady myself, to make sense of the days, and to keep track of the chaos in my head. It’s helped me change my life for the better. I didn’t expect that. I didn’t plan it. It just happened through the simple act of walking a dog and writing it down.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking about where this goes next. The last week of August is coming, and I’m not sure what direction I’ll take. Part of me wants to keep going forever — maybe even turn this into a full dog‑life project, two books someday: a pup book and an old dog book. Another part of me wonders if I should take a break, step back, breathe, and see how I feel when I’m not posting every day.

Some people have told me to keep it going. Others say a month off might help me reset. Kim keeps reminding me I’m obsessing over it, and she’s probably right. I don’t mean to — it’s just become something I enjoy revisiting, something neat, something I’m proud of. But I also know when my mind starts looping, it might be time to pause and check in with myself. Maybe even talk to a professional about the online stuff that spooked me recently, just to get some direction.

I’m not deleting the blog. I know that much. It’s too meaningful, too full of memories, too much a part of my life with Dixie. A black lab is the coolest dog in my opinion, and having her story written out — searchable, organized, preserved — feels like a gift. Something I’ll treasure long after the walks slow down.

So here’s where I’m at: I’m celebrating this milestone. I’m grateful for everyone who’s joined me on these walks. And I’m giving myself permission to take a break if I need one.

Maybe I’ll step back for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll keep writing. Maybe I’ll return with a clearer head and a new chapter to start. I don’t know yet. But I do know this blog has been an adventure — one I never expected, one I’m thankful for, and one I’m not done thinking about.

Thanks for being part of it.