It’s a Boy!
I finally became a (dog) dad again two weeks ago! After a decade mourning my beloved Chow Chow Prince and dogsitting for ALL MY FRIENDS and acquiring “doggy step sons” or “doggy nephews and nieces” to fill the void, it is finally the right time for my own dog. It’s a Shih Tzu from where Griffin (my nephew/stepson who moved to London) came from so they are the same bloodline and siblings. His name is Romeo and he was born on February 15, 2022.
This year has been both rewarding and scary. I’ve been in recovery since July 2017 and yes it’s now 2022 and the first time since entering recovery that I have a lease on a place in my own name. I will be leasing a car again this summer for the first time since 2015 when I watched my life dismantle after my firing from TheWrap. And now, what, 7 years later, I’m ready for a dog. These elementary life tasks are easy for non-addicts and I’m sure some reading this post are like “how lame.” But, no, it’s not. We celebrate ALL the wins in recovery because we made it over to the other side where most do not. Statistics are not in our favor.
You know It’s so common in California to hear someone has entered rehab and recovery and the average person nods and wishes you well. But you have no idea how extreme the journey of that person is — completely wrought with wreckage that you never thought imaginable.
Every addict’s life is affected in varying degrees and timeframes. Some realize very early they have a problem and it takes them only 3 years of addiction to enter rehab, others 5, others 20 years. I entered rehab after 10 years of on and off active addiction all while achieving the biggest accomplishments in my life and career. And we think we can sustain it forever BUT NOBODY can. Every addict and alcoholic’s life will eventually hit that wall and crash and burn. For some it just takes longer.
HUGS NOT DRUGS people! Addiction takes everything and it takes it fast. My battle with addiction and mental illness is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced and its still a challenge every waking minute. I don’t wish these conditions on my worst enemy.
Nonetheless I’m so “FREAKING EXCITED” (like Sue below) and GRATEFUL. The last four months was literally a living hell with a roommate situation we were dealing with that was torture. I haven’t had a day like this in A LONG TIME where I feel the universe is again working with me. It feels great. Thank you for reading.
